IOC, United Nations, WHO, Athletes Unite For Covid-19 Healthy Together Campaign
Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at 11:39AM NYSJ Sports-Entertainment Business News Service
June 23, 2020: To bring more attention to the COVID-19 pandemic, and also to help support the newly christened Olympic Paralympic Day, the World Health Organization and the International Olympic Committee have joined with the United Nations for a multi-media campaign, "Healthy Together."
The three partners, along with Olympic athletes, said they would “spotlight the collective effort and global collaboration needed to stay healthy and reduce the spread and impact of COVID-19.”
“Sport can save lives,” IOC president Thomas Bach said via the organization. “We have seen over the last few months just how important sport and physical activity are for health and well-being.
"And working together with WHO and the United Nations we can take another step together. Olympic athletes will share the information and best practice that the world needs now.”
The Healthy Together effort include a dedicated Web site, digital, social media and personal activation by athletes, trainers and others.
The campaign was timed to launch on June 23, which since 1948 has commemorated the birth of the modern Olympic Games on June 23, 1894.
Previously celebrated annually as Olympic Day by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the USOPC said June 23 would now be known as Olympic & Paralympic Day. This year's event is presented by IOC and USOPC partner Toyota.
“(This marks) a change in the United States to include the values of the Paralympic Movement in the worldwide day of recognition,” according to the USOPC.
Multi-media participation during Olympic Paralympic Day will be highlighted by Team USA athletes, National Governing Bodies and community groups.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo currently scheduled for July 23-Aug. 8, 2021, and the Paralympics now scheduled for Aug. 24-Sept. 5, 2021.
According to WHO, the IOC and the UN, “Over the past six months, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every corner of the globe and every aspect of our lives, bringing with it uncertainty, fears and challenges that require endurance and perseverance to overcome.
“The world is looking for global institutions to work together and for leaders to deliver reliable, credible information from sources they trust. Olympic athletes can be the trusted messengers for this information.”
“We are pleased to partner with the International Olympic Committee to spread important health messages that will save lives,” Tedros Adhanom, director-general for WHO, said via the organization.
“Olympians will help us advocate for healthier populations to ensure that people are as resilient as our health systems must be to fight COVID-19.”
Team USA Expands Annual Olympic Day To Embrace Paralympic Athletes, Values
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