ANOC joined National Olympic Committees (NOCs) around the world in celebrating the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) and supporting the IOC’s call for the Olympic Movement to encourage everyone to be active and stay healthy at this difficult time.

The IDSDP is celebrated each year on 6 April in recognition of the power of sport to foster peace and contribute to social development around the world. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Nations has defined this year’s theme as #BeActive and asks people to be #HealthyAtHome.

NOCs around the world have promoted this message across their digital platforms today and athletes have continued to act as role models in their communities for keeping active.

Acting ANOC President Robin Mitchell said:

“The world is currently facing great challenges and uncertainty and therefore it is of paramount importance that we continue to encourage solidarity and promote the Olympic values.

“COVID-19 overlooks all societal barriers, it does not see borders between countries or continents; it does not recognise ethnicities or beliefs; it affects all of humanity in the same way. Amidst the awful pain and damage caused, this pandemic does remind us that there is more that unites us than divides us.

“We are all in this together and we must support each other in the best way we can. We will continue to fight this common enemy by following the guidance of our national authorities and continue to protect our physical and mental health by remaining active, even when movement outside our homes is restricted. IDSDP is an important milestone in promoting our shared values and we welcome all the engagement we have seen from NOCs around the world during these difficult times.”

The World Health Organisation has provided further ideas on how to stay physically active during self-quarantine, which you can find here.