9 days to go to Olympic Day: Peru Combines Cultural and Sporting Events to Mark Olympic Day

14 | 6 | 2015

Art and sport will come together in Peru as part of the country’s Olympic Day celebrations as it looks to mark the 121st anniversary of the founding of the International Olympic Committee.

The Peruvian Olympians Association, led by legendary swimmer Rosario ‘Choco’ de Vivanco, who, in 1964 at 15-years-old, was the first female athlete to represent Peru at the Olympic Games, is playing a prominent role in preparations for this year’s Olympic Day celebrations. Together with the Peruvian Olympic Committee (COP), the NOA is organising dual events over consecutive weekends to promote the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect and encourage universal participation in sport.

A school drawing and painting competition under the theme Sport and Olympism will be held in the San Borja Olympic Park on Sunday 21 June. It will feature the participation of students aged six to sixteen from different educational institutions around Lima with the objective of spreading the message of Olympism through art and sport.

Meanwhile, the traditional Olympic Day 10 kilometre run, which will take place on Sunday 28 June, has already exceeded expectations with over 10,000 participants registered to take part in the event, which aims to get people of all ages active and involved.

Rosario ‘Choco’ de Vivanco, President of the Peruvian Olympians Association, said:

“We are thrilled with the interest being shown in our Olympic Day celebrations, we have surpassed our goals in terms of participation and we look forward to spreading the positive example of sport for all.

“As Peru looks ahead to hosting the 2019 Pan-American Games we hope to build on the excitement and interest generated by Olympic Day to really promote the Olympic values and encourage people to adopt sport into their everyday lives.”

Olympic Day, officially celebrated on 23 June, is an opportunity to encourage people around the world, regardless of age, race or ability to get moving, discover new sports and embrace the Olympic values.

The WOA would like to share your inspirational Olympic Day stories, events and pictures on our digital and social platforms so please let us know about any planned Olympic Day activities by contacting info@thewoa.org.