The Olympic Day Celebrations (ODC) took place in Gedu, under Chukha Dzongkhag in Bhutan on the 2nd of May coinciding with the Birth Anniversary of the 3rd Druk Gyalpo, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
The event flagged off with the Olympic Day Fun Run by His Majesty’s Representative and the President to the Bhutan Olympic Committee His Royal Highness Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck. The Olympic Day serves to celebrate the anniversary of the International Olympic Committee and is celebrated by thousands of people in more than 160 countries with the objective of getting as many people as possible, moving and experiencing the Olympic Values of excellence, friendship and respect, in addition to the Olympic ideals of Fair Play, Perseverance and Sportsmanship.
The Secretary General of the Bhutan Olympic Committee (BOC), Sonam Karma Tshering said “Every year we take the Olympic Day Celebrations to different parts of the country. Last year we took the Olympic Day to Haa and this year we are here in Gedu. This is in our own small way, in keeping with our vision to take sports to all the youth in the kingdom and we hope that we will be able to someday, truly achieve this noble vision.”
The celebrations included the organization of varied range of activities inspired by the Olympic Principles and Values. This was done so with the help of Federations affiliated to the BOC and also other Sports Associations. This includes sporting events which will encourage people regardless of age, athletic ability and gender to move and discover new sports.
“Bringing the Olympic Day Celebrations to Gedu was an excellent initiative by the BOC as it exposed a gamut of games and sports to the students in the region which they had never experienced before. Such exposure will influence young and impressionable minds to further explore the wonderful experiences and values that the Olympic movement has to offer” said Tshewang Drukdra, Secretary of the Sports Committee, Gaeddu College of Business Studies
The participants had the opportunity to experience and partake in sports like Olympic Archery, Basketball, Football, Kids Athletics, Volleyball, Badminton, Shooting, Taekwondo, Table Tennis, Mini Tennis, Boxing, Body-building and Weight Lifting, Judo, Karate and also Indigenous Games during the celebrations.
During the day long celebrations the participants also engaged in a Quiz Competition where various questions related to sport were asked by the BOC Officials. The BOC also screened audio visual programmes whereby the IOC Presidents message was relayed and also videos promoting the 17th Incheon Asian Games.
Approximately 3,000 people comprising of students and sports enthusiast took part in the celebrations this year.
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