Belgian Olympians gear up for Olympic Day with One Month to Go

23 | 5 | 2015

Belgium’s Olympians are the first to feature in our 2015 Olympic Day countdown as we build towards the 67^th edition of the global celebration of Olympism on 23 June.

With one month to go until Olympic Day Olympians everywhere are working with International Federations and National Olympic Committees around the world to embrace the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect through sport and education.

In Belgium, the National Olympians Association and the Belgium Olympic Committee (BOIC) are bringing together over 150 Olympic athletes to build on the excitement of next year’s Olympic Games with a Run to Rio event.

Run to Rio will involve members of the public, sponsors and other supporting organisations competing in a fun, marathon-length relay during which participants can challenge Belgium’s many Olympians to a range of activities in order to earn ‘time bonuses’ for their teams. Over 338 teams have already signed up for the event, which will take place on 21 June at the Hippodrome of Boitsfort in Brussels.

Gaston Roelants, 1964 Olympic Steeplechase champion and President of the Belgium Olympians Association, said:

“This is an ideal opportunity to bring together the Belgian Olympians and strengthen the BOA’s commitment to the Olympic Movement.

“By joining our athletes and supporters we aim to not only strengthen the Olympic community in Belgium, but also encourage sport for all.”

Belgium was one of the original nine countries to stage Olympic Day activities when the day was first celebrated on 23 June 1948.

The Run to Rio marathon relay is the first of its kind in Belgium and will also act as a fundraising event for the BOIC ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.  Also taking place on the day is a meeting for NOA members to be attended by Pierre-Olivier Beckers, Chairman of the Belgium Olympic Committee, and Jean-Michel Saive, Chairman of the Belgium Athletes’ Commission.

If you want to learn more about Belgium’s Olympic Day activities visit www.runtorio.be.   

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.