Olympic Day, celebrated around the world on June 23 to commemorate the founding of the modern Olympic movement, is an opportunity to celebrate sport as the universal language of peace, friendship and mutual understanding. Organized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), this day is celebrated in more than 150 countries around the world through various activities that include all ages and levels of physical ability.
This year’s IOC campaign is called “Let’s Move”, with the aim of inspiring people of all generations to get moving, get out of digital passivity and rediscover the joy of movement, through sport, play, walking or dancing.
The Montenegrin Olympic Committee, with the support of Olympic Solidarity and the Capital City of Podgorica and in cooperation with the Ministry of Sports and Youth and the UNHCR office, organized the celebration of Olympic Day 2025 in Podgorica today, gathering children, athletes, coaches and numerous guests in the spirit of Olympic values, friendship, respect and solidarity.
In the ceremonial part of the program, the president of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee, Dušan Simonović, the head of the UNHCR office in Montenegro, Stefanie Krause, the secretary for sports of the Capital City, Darko Nikčević, as well as the director of the Directorate for Youth in the Ministry of Sports and Youth, Darko Stojanović, addressed the audience.
On this occasion, the importance of the joint action of all institutions was highlighted when it comes to creating a safe, supportive and healthy environment for children and young people, regardless of their origin, status or capabilities.
In his speech, President Simonović pointed out that sport is not only a privilege reserved for the biggest arenas and records, but an everyday force of unity and support in every corner of society, on fields, playgrounds and school halls throughout Montenegro. In this spirit, the Montenegrin Olympic Committee donated 10,000 euros to the Clinical Center of Montenegro on the occasion of the Olympic Day, as a symbol of the connection between sports and health and concrete solidarity towards the social community. Sport does not exist separately from the rest of society, but actively contributes to health, disease prevention and improving the quality of life of all citizens.
“In recent years, we have witnessed that the world shows divisions, injustices and uncertainties, so it is important that Olympic Day reminds us of what unites us. Sport knows no borders, no faith, no nation. It knows only respect, fair play and a common goal. In every child who grabs the ball today, in every applause, and in every smile, we recognize the same message: together we are stronger,” said the COK president.
After the official part, the field was taken over by the youngest, children from various sports clubs from Podgorica participated in sports competitions, mini-tournaments and demonstrations of team spirit and fair play. Fun activities and games were organized for the other children, from “Hot chairs”, “Dude, don’t be angry” in the XXL edition, to “Olympic puzzle” and “Plank challenge”, all under the careful guidance of volunteers from the Volunteers 2019 organization, who have been an important part of all Olympic events for years.
Volunteers 2019, as long-term partners of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee, once again showed why they are the heart and soul of every event – with their enthusiasm, organization and inexhaustible energy, they contributed to every participant feeling the joy and spirit of Olympism.
Like the previous year, this year’s program, thanks to UNHCR, included children from refugee families and stateless children, who participated equally in all activities, sending a strong message of inclusion and equality through sports.
