…as Obaseki, Alli preach peace, unity

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo 

Legendary Boxer, Isaac Ikhuoria(Oly) alongside over 500 young men and women on Saturday, June 29, participated in a 5km road race in Benin, the Edo State capital, to celebrate the 2024 Olympic Day.

INFO DAILY reports that the Olympic Day is an event celebrated globally. This year’s theme is ‘Let’s Move and Celebrate’.

The runners who began the 5km race from the Samuel Ogbemudia at the Sumuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, at about 8:00am were led by the chairman, Oredo Local Council Dr Tom Obaseki, and the Permanent Secretary, Edo State Sports Commission, Dr Igbinosa Emmanuel.

The duo led the runners through Akenzua Road; Plymouth Road, King Square(Ring Road)through Oba Market Road, Zabayor Street and rounded off the exercise at the stadium, where certificates of participation were given to the participants.

2024 Olympic Day: Legendary boxer, Isaac Ikhuoria (left) receiving certificate of participation from Dr Igbinosa Emmanuel,  PS, Edo State Sports commission on Saturday, June 29, 2024.

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In his message, President, International Olympic Committee ( IOC), Thomas Bach, encouraged the Olympic community to celebrate the joy that only sports bring.

The message which was delivered by Obaseki, the President expressed optimism that at the Paris Olympics, “the athletes will inspire us with their achievements -they will inspire the world by living our Olympic motto: Faster,Higher-Stronger-Strong together.”

He added: “On Olympic Day, we celebrate the creation of the Olympic Movement by our founder Pierre de Coubertin. This year’s Olympic Day is a special one, taking place just ahead of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

“With the excitement building, the athletes; the fans, the entire Olympic Community around the world -all of us- we are looking forward to a new era of Olympic Games; younger, more inclusive, more urban and more sustainable.”

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Also speaking at the event, the Chairman, Edo Sports Commission, Olympian Yussuf Alli, described the Olympic Day as significant, saying it is a day set aside by the International Olympic Committee, IOC, to celebrate sports men and women and to encourage mass participation in sports.

The Chairman who was represented by Dr Igbinosa Emmanuel, Permanent Secretary of the Commission, added: “Firstly, it is marked all over the world .That is why it is under the umbrella body of the ‘Sports For All’ in IOC.

“So, Nigeria being a full member of the International Olympic Committee is celebrating it. And that is why the IOC wrote to Nigeria and Edo State to participate in the exercise.

“It is happening all over the world and we are happy that we are a part of the celebration.

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“It helps us to create the right awareness for fitness and also to bring people together because the essence of sports is coming together so that we can move forward and celebrate according to this year’s theme’ Move and Celebrate,” Igbinosa emphasized.

Obaseki on his part, highlighted the benefit of Olympic Day and sports as a unifying event that brings people together and promotes peace and health.

“We all understand that Olympic is a unifying event that brings people together, promotes peace, statesmanship and sportsmanship.

“So, wherever we are we should understand that sports bring people together and in the process,we keep ourselves healthy,” he added.