The South African Sports Confederation, Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SASCOC) celebrated Olympic Day 2026 with an energetic and inspiring activation at CBC Mount Edmund College in Pretoria on Tuesday, bringing together learners, educators, athletes, coaches, federations, partners and community stakeholders in celebration of the Olympic spirit.
Held in partnership with the South African Hockey Association, Northerns Blues Hockey Association, CBC Mount Edmund College and a number of strategic partners, the event formed part of the International Olympic Committee’s global Olympic Day campaign, themed “You Can Do This – Let’s Move.”
The celebration saw learners from Grades 5 to 7 actively participating in a variety of activities, including an aerobics session, mini-hockey demonstrations and Olympic Values education, all aimed at encouraging young people to embrace physical activity and healthy lifestyles.
Olympic Day, commemorated annually on 23 June, celebrates the founding of the International Olympic Committee in 1894 and serves as a global platform to inspire people of all ages and abilities to move, learn and discover through sport and physical activity.
Speaking at the event, SASCOC President Barry Hendricks highlighted the importance of making sport accessible to all young people.
“Olympic Day is an important date on the annual calendar and the events will help create memorable experiences that inspire learners to view sport as a tool for personal development, social inclusion and lifelong wellbeing.”
Hendricks further emphasised that Olympic Day belongs to everyone and that participation, enjoyment and discovery remain at the heart of the celebration. He officially declared the activities open, encouraging learners to embrace every opportunity presented throughout the day.
SASCOC Chief Executive Officer Nozipho Jafta said Olympic Day represents far more than a celebration of elite sport.
“Olympic Day is a celebration of the Olympic ideals and the belief that sport has the power to make the world a better place. It reminds us that the Olympic Movement is not only about medals and podiums, but about bringing people together, promoting peace, fostering inclusion, inspiring hope and creating healthier communities.”
Jafta noted that this year’s global campaign message, “You Can Do This. Let’s Move,” serves as an invitation for every person, regardless of age, ability or background, to discover the joy of movement and the confidence that sport can create. She further encouraged learners to view sport as a vehicle for developing important life values such as excellence, friendship and respect.
Importantly, SASCOC took Olympic Day directly into a school environment this year, placing young people at the centre of the celebration and reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to ensuring that sport and physical activity remain accessible to every child and community.
The event was made possible through the support of several partners, including Planet Fitness, LoveLife, the South African Hockey Association, the South African Institute for Drug- Free Sport (SAIDS), Mr Price Sport, Altus Sport, CBC Mount Edmund College, volunteers and various stakeholders who collectively contributed to delivering a memorable Olympic Day experience.
By combining education, movement, sport participation and athlete engagement, Olympic Day continues to provide a meaningful platform for promoting Olympism and inspiring young South Africans to lead active, healthy and purposeful lives.
Olympic Day is celebrated globally on 23 June to commemorate the founding of the International Olympic Committee by Pierre de Coubertin in Paris in 1894. The first modern Olympic Games were subsequently held in Athens in 1896.
Photo: Frennie Shivambu