NOCZ COMMEMORATE OLYMPIC DAY IN STYLE.

National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) joined the rest of the Olympic movement in commemorating the 2020 Olympic Day which falls on 23 June in style amidst the COVID 19 Pandemic.

With the world almost on its knees amidst the COVID 19 pandemic activities for the day couldn’t be held like it has been done in the past, it is in this regard that NOCZ decided to premier the NOC Presidents Olympic Day Message on their Facebook page on Olympic Day.

NOCZ President Alfred Foloko called on people to remember to Stay Strong as the fight against COVID 19 continues, Stay Active by getting things done and working out in the comfort of their homes in order to be in a better mental and physical state, Stay Healthy by maintaining good health that requires a smart lifestyle and eating a balanced diet.

“Let us embrace the Olympic Values of respect for one another, foster strong and lasting friendships, and apply high levels of excellence in dealing with challenges brought about by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Together, we can emerge victorious in these difficult times, as we have always done,” He said.

Foloko added saying that we should remember to move and accept the new normal, learn to protect ourselves and care about the environment amidst Covid-19 and discover ways of fighting COVID 19 using Olympism.

Whilst echoing the words of International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, Foloko acknowledged the fact that Celebrating Olympic Day may feel very different from all previous years, but at the same time, on this Olympic Day, our message of the power of sport to bring hope and optimism to everyone resonates even stronger.

A video of Olympic Day Messages featuring Olympians Samuel Matete and Jonathan Chipalo, Athletes Tilka Paljk, Simon Zulu, Diana Dakik and Suwilanji Mpondela, NOCZ Board Member Susannah Dakik, Hockey Coach Floyd Chomba, NOCZ Women and Gender Commission member Tara Nyikavaranda and Former NOCZ President Miriam Moyo was also premiered on the NOCZ Facebook page and Youtube Channel.

Tilka Paljk’s Olympic Day message focused on Mental Health Awareness while Suwilanji Mpondela talked about the importance of the Olympic Day among other messages.

In addition to the messages, a Virtual Olympic Day Run was organized. 294 participants from around the country and beyond including NOCZ Vice President Hazel Kennedy and Secretary-General Boniface Kambikambi took part in the virtual run as they covered distances of 5 to 10 kilometers at their own pace.

The virtual run represented 51 and 49 Percentage of participation for Men and Women. Some participants walked away with Olympic Day T-shirts while everyone was awarded an Olympic Day Certificate of participation.

To conclude the activities, NOCZ organized a team lead by NOCZ Programmes Officer Tinyiko L.K Noombo to feature on various TV and Radio Programmes as they gave insights on Olympism, Olympic Day, and Olympic Values.

Click here to watch Olympic Day Messages from Athletes.