Navigating World Olympic Day during a global pandemic

By Jemima Holmes

Sport is one of the only things across the globe that have the power to unite human beings in spite of race, religion or political affiliation. In these dire times, a day to participate in sports, challenge colleagues and relish the importance of the games in one’s daily life, is exactly what the doctor would order, if it had not been for the coronavirus.

First rearing its ugly head in 2019, the coronavirus pandemic made its way across the world in 2020, shutting down schools, businesses, sports, outdoor activities and the usual daily routines, in general. As such, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it extremely difficult for athletes to honour World Olympic Day, which is commemorated on June 23 yearly.
Although the fixed date exists, Olympic Associations and sport administrations across the globe utilise the entire month of June to celebrate the long list of sports that are practised in the world.
Speaking exclusively with Guyana Times Sport on Tuesday, President of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), KA Juman-Yassin spoke to the importance of such a celebration on a yearly basis.
“It is important because sport administrators and athletes around the world celebrate this particular day and month as Olympic Day, which we try to focus on Olympism and the spirit of competing, fair play and that type of thing,” he stated.
Given social distancing restrictions and stay-at-home orders across the globe, International Olympic Day is being observed through virtual activities, the most significant of which is the world’s largest 24-hour digital-first Olympic workout. The workout was hosted at 11am, in over 20 time zones worldwide and saw participation from over 20 Olympians, among other accomplished athletes.
“Celebrating Olympic Day may feel very different from all previous years, but at the same time, on this Olympic Day, our message of the power of sport to bring hope and optimism to everyone resonates even stronger,” said International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach. “Let us join together to use this power of sport to prepare the postponed Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 as a moment of solidarity and resilience of humankind,” he added.
In Guyana, the commemoration of the event is expected to take place next week. According to Juman-Yassin, the GOA will go virtual with a number of games and activities for local athletes.
“We’re looking at next week and we’re still exploring the different options,” he shared.
The GOA boss went on to expound on the difficulties that this year’s celebrations present, with regard to participation and resources.
“It’s a bit difficult because we have to live with it. But it’s not what we’re accustomed to over the years, but because of the circumstances we have to do what we have to do and the thing is we’re trying our best to see how virtual we could go, but a lot of persons, young athletes and so, don’t have wifi and that type of thing. But we’re looking to see what we could do,” Juman-Yassin posited.
Looking beyond the grey area that is the coronavirus, Juman-Yassin shared some encouraging words for local athletes and sport enthusiasts, encouraging them to find creative ways to stay fit. However, the GOA President underscored that the most important aspect is to stay safe and healthy.
“The important thing is to keep safe; you have to stay safe. And try and keep as fit as possible, you can keep fit indoors and try to develop a programme in which you can attune your body and stay fit. Let’s hope the problems can dissipate shortly and we can get back to normality,” he encouraged.