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Ondo State Acting Governor, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa joined the rest of the World in celebrating the 75th International Olympic Day Run at Akure Sports Stadium, Akure on Saturday.
The International Olympic Day is celebrated to commemorate the day when the International Olympic Committee was founded in 1894 aiming to promote participation in sports across the globe regardless of age, gender or athletic ability.
International Olympic Day Run is also considered as Celebrations of sports and health by holding competitions and demonstrations in various sports all over the world.
While flagging off the Olympic Day Run, Aiyedatiwa said sports always build bridge and bring people together in peace and solidarity.
“The Olympic Day Run is primarily designed to encourage sports and the Olympic values of bringing together people of all ages and from all walks of life as a means of promoting national unity and grassroots sports development”, declared Aiyedatiwa.
The Acting Governor further said that fitness is health and health is wealth.
“Indeed, sport is very dear to our Administration and it is for this reason that we shall continually get our people to engage in sporting activities for their health benefits and as a chosen career, more importantly for the youth” , he said.
While re-emphasizing Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s commitment to promoting and develop sports, Aiyedatiwa said, the State is blessed with great talents that have contributed immensely to the national pools of athletes that have represented and are still representing Nigeria at international competitions including the Olympic Games.
“I like to make it abundantly clear that our Administration will continue to prioritize sports in the scheme of things and improve on the welfare of our sports men and women”.
Aiyedatiwa disclosed that in these difficult times with conflicts and divisions, the world need the unifying sport more than ever before.
He acknowledged the contributions of the representative of Nigeria Olympic Committee and other stakeholders for their contributions to the success of the event.
Speaking at the event, the representative of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Mr Sylvester Ikuejamoye said, sport keep the mind and body strong and healthy.
“On Olympic Day, we remember the creation of the Olympic Movement by our founder, Pierre de Coubertin” .
“He wanted to make the World a better place through sport… this is why Olympic Day is always the perfect opportunity to get up and move” .
“This is the beauty of sport: it inspires the world to move, and it brings us together as friends and as a community, no matter where we are or how we choose to move” , declared Ikuejamoye.
Peoplesmind
