June 23 - International Olympic Day

International Olympic Day takes place across the world on June 23 every year to mark the importance of games and sports in our lives and to promote participation in contests and competitions across the globe, irrespective of age, gender, or religion.

This year, the Olympic Movement will celebrate Olympic Day by creating the world’s most substantial 24-hour digital-first Olympic workout, due to the coronavirus pandemic. This time, the International Olympic Committee and the World Health Organisation (WHO) advocate for everyone to “#BeActive in their daily routines.”

The International Olympic Day was first marked on June 23 in 1894 in nine countries -- Austria, Belgium, Canada, Great Britain, Greece, Portugal, Switzerland, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The National Olympic Committees of these nine countries had organized ceremonies and competitions, marking the importance of sports in our lives. Since then, International Olympic Day is celebrated on June 23 every year across the world.

Azerbaijan first marked the Olympic Day in 1996, since when it joined the Olympic Games for the first time as an independent state. The National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan was established in 1992 and recognized by the International Olympic Committee in 1993. President Ilham Aliyev has been chairing the committee since 1997.

So far, Azerbaijani athletes have won 8 gold, 12 silver and 25 bronze medals at the Olympic Games.