A worldwide celebration for Olympic Day!

An avalanche of celebrations on 23 June to mark Olympic Day. The IOC (International Olympic Committee) launched its campaign entitled “Let’s Move and Celebrate”, a worldwide initiative inviting everyone to move and get active, while inspiring the athletes who will compete at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. And of course, we at MilanoCortina 2026 accepted the challenge and got you involved. Your response was overwhelming and warmed our hearts.

Let's Move in the sign of the Italian Spirit

We asked you to unleash your Italian Spirit and come up with a celebratory move of any kind: serious, awkward, alone or in company. The only rule was to move your body, have fun and embrace the joy of movement. Exultations and movements to cheer on the champions ready to shine on the Paris 2024 stage: participation was Olympic! This was but a foretaste of what we are already preparing for 2025! Keep following us on all social media, and don't forget to get moving: #Letsmove.

Milan lights up for Olympic Day

The Lombardia Region, together with Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, also joined the Olympic Day initiative. Palazzo Pirelli and Palazzo Lombardia lit up with special lights, to participate in a day that celebrated sports, health and being together.

The words “Olympic Day” were displayed on the façade of Palazzo Pirelli, from 10 p.m. on Sunday 23rd to 2 a.m. on Monday 24th, while the belvedere of both palaces was lit up in green and red, the colours suggested by the IOC to recall the Olympics.

The origins of Olympic Day

Why 23 June? To celebrate the exact day when the International Olympic Committee was founded (23 June 1894) at the Sorbonne in Paris, thanks to Baron Pierre de Coubertin. He wanted to revive the Olympic Games and create a modern version of the sporting competitions that the Ancient Greeks were passionate about. There is nothing better to celebrate it than with this international initiative, created with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Message from President Bach

This was the message from IOC President, Thomas Bach to promote the initiative: “Athletes from all corners of the world and backgrounds are getting ready to participate in the Olympic Games Paris 2024. The athletes at the Games will inspire and encourage people everywhere to bring more movement to their lives, making it healthier, better and more joyful. We are very thankful that we could partner up with WHO again for this very important campaign”.