IOC and WHO join forces for Olympic Day 2025
Juan José Saldaña
June 17, 2025

On June 23, Olympic Day 2025 will be celebrated, and this year it comes under the theme “Let’s Move?” — a global invitation to share movement, motivation, and the joy of sport. Driven by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the initiative aims to combat worrying levels of physical inactivity worldwide, especially among youth, and to encourage joint physical activity as a means of connection and well-being.

According to data from the WHO, one in three adults and 81% of adolescents do not reach the minimum recommended levels of physical activity. For this reason, the IOC launched the Let’s Move campaign in 2023, which returns this year with renewed energy through Olympic Day. With in-person and digital activities in over 150 countries, the goal is simple but powerful: invite a “+1” — a friend, family member, or colleague — to walk, run, dance, or train together, promoting shared movement as a transformative experience.

A global call to move together for health and connection

Sport not only strengthens the body: it also builds community and a sense of belonging. Participating in group physical activities motivates people to stay active and connected, a key aspect in fighting loneliness and improving mental well-being. For Thomas Bach, president of the IOC, sport is a high-impact tool for both physical and emotional health. That’s why he invites everyone to experience the joy of movement and inspire others to do the same on this commemorative day marking the founding of the modern Olympic Games.

In addition to local events, Olympic Day 2025 will include digital challenges like the step challenge by Samsung, free sports activities at facilities across India, and interactive initiatives such as the Olympic Mini Program on WeChat in China. The campaign will continue beyond June 23, as part of the IOC’s strategic framework Olympism365, which promotes active and healthy communities and supports the goal of reducing physical inactivity by 15% by 2030. With initiatives like this, the Olympic Movement and the WHO are joining forces to make sport a tool for social transformation.

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