University of Ghana hosts International Olympic Day celebration with PATH Ghana

University of Ghana campus was abuzz with excitement as Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH Ghana), in collaboration with the International Olympic Community (IOC), celebrated International Olympic Day on 23 June 2024 at University campus.

The event commemorates the founding of the International Olympic Community (IOC) in 1894 and emphasizes the Olympic values of Respect, Friendship, and Excellence.

This year’s celebration is particularly significant as it coincides with an Olympic year, with the upcoming Games being hosted in France, the homeland of Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics. The theme for this year’s event, “Let’s Move and Celebrate,” aims to inspire collective enthusiasm for the Paris 2024 Games by promoting physical activity and unity through sports.

The day’s festivities at the University of Ghana included a vibrant 5-kilometer health walk, accompanied by a brass band, to create an engaging atmosphere. Students and staff participated enthusiastically, carrying placards with messages of solidarity and awareness about the benefits of sports and physical activity for personal and communal health.

Thomas Bach, the President of the IOC, emphasized the essence of the day, stating, “On this very special Olympic Day, let us celebrate the joy that only sports can give us.” The event echoed this sentiment, fostering a spirit of camaraderie and highlighting the power of sports to bring people together.

PATH Ghana, a global team of innovators dedicated to eliminating health inequities, spearheaded the event. They work in over 70 countries to advance health equity through innovation and partnerships. PATH’s collaboration with the University of Ghana, along with the Sports Directorate and the Department of Physical Education and Sports Studies, underscores the importance of integrating sports into community health initiatives.

In addition to the University of Ghana, other notable participants included the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), the Ministries of Health, Youth, and Sports, as well as various state and non-state actors. This diverse coalition is part of the IOC-led Community-Based Sport and Health Cooperation Initiative, which aims to enhance physical, mental, and social health by increasing participation in organized community sports.

Olympic Games Paris 2024 kick starts July 26, 2024. Ghana is hopeful of winning Gold medal as athletes continue with their preparations.

Source MyJoyonline