Olympic & Paralympic Day presented by Toyota is a celebration of the Olympic and Paralympic movements and the joy of sport by millions of people around the world. Held annually on June 23 and known worldwide as Olympic Day, the USOPC worked in partnership with the International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee to recognize the day as Olympic & Paralympic Day in the United States, beginning in 2020. The day celebrates fitness, well-being, sport culture and educational opportunities, while promoting the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect, and the Paralympic values of determination, inspiration, courage and equality.
An initiative stemming from the IOC, the day was created in 1948 to commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic Games on June 23, 1894. On that day, delegates from 12 countries unanimously approved Baron Pierre de Coubertin's proposal to revive the Olympic Games, and two years later the first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece in 1896.
Olympic & Paralympic Day in the United States
The United States began celebrating Olympic Day in 2009, and it has continued to grow each year. In 2017, more than 560,000 individuals participated in 2,400 Olympic Day celebrations all across the country. Host organizations and cities joined more than 950 Olympians, Paralympians, coaches and hopefuls in celebrating in their communities.