Sierra Leone has joined Africa and the rest of the world on Thursday 23rd June 2016 to celebrate the 68th Olympic Day, which in Africa is highly symbolic this year.
According to the President Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) Intendant General Lassana Palenfo “First of all, it comes at a time ANOCA has celebrated 35th anniversary celebration on Tuesday 28th June 2016.”
“Secondly, it will have been celebrated less than 45 days to the kick-off of the Rio Games on 5th August. Finally, it will be celebrated with the end of the 2013-2016 Olympiad in the offing.”
He said this constellation of symbols thus warrants him “to address you, to fan the flame burning within us and reassert our attachment to Olympic ideals, on which is based our commitment and resolve to work for the development and fulfilment of African youths.”
The ANOCA President said he couldn’t talk about this day without a brief historical overview. “As a matter of fact it was on 23rd June 1948 that the world Olympic Day was celebrated for the first time to commemorate the advent of the modern Olympic Games in la Sorbonne, Paris, on 23rd June 1894, and to promote Sports Practice in the World, regardless of age, sex, or the physical abilities.
He also revealed that only nine NOCs took part in the event on that day. Today the African Olympic Movement stands strong around ANOCA. “We take pride in this, especially as our association has, over time, established an enviable reputation as a solid and credible institution.”
By Bernard Turay
Friday July 01, 2016
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