International Olympic Day in Karoo | Western Cape Government

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International Olympic Day in Karoo

3 October 2014

On Saturday, 4 October 2014 from 09:00 until 15:00, the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) in partnership with the Central Karoo Sport Council and the Municipality of Prince Albert will be staging the 2014 International Olympic Day at the Zwartberg High School in Prince Albert.

The commemoration of International Olympic Day is an initiative by SASCOC to build up to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. It is celebrated by millions of people in more than 160 countries. Commemorating the birth of the modern Olympic Games, Olympic Day is not only a celebration, but it is an international effort to promote the five educational values of Olympism which is the joy of effort, fair play, respect for others, pursuit of excellence and the balance between body, will and mind.

“This is an opportunity to focus more on the meaning of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and how big the impact is on our athletes”, says Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport.

The theme for the 2014 is Move, Learn and Discover.  More than 400 participants from clubs and schools in the Central Karoo district will be in action tomorrow whereby the legacy of the Olympic Games will be exhibited. Participants will showcase the different cities in Central Karoo by means of a march past. The Olympic and Non-Olympic sport codes that will be highlighted are running, tug-of-war, Sevens Rugby, Football, Cycling, Boxing and Wrestling.

International Olympic Day in the Karoo illustrates the Olympic Creed which Baron de Cobertin adopted after hearing it from the bishop of central Pennsylvania, Ethelbert Talbot, when he spoke at a service for Olympic athletes during the 1908 London Games: "The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph, but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered, but to have fought well."

DCAS supports International Olympic Day because it puts the dreams and aspirations of every sport enthusiast in a nut shell.  It tends to bring out the best of the human spirit in our athletes from grass root to national levels to compete for the ultimate gold Olympic medal.

Media Enquiries: 

Annerie Pruis-Le Roux
Acting Head of Communication Service
Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 9730
E-mail: annerie.pruis-leroux@westerncape.gov.za