The Gambia’s NOC marked the day with events at the Olympafrica Centre in Serrekunda East on the theme: 'Move Learn Discover Together for a Better World'.
The events took the form of a 10km and 5km road run for boys and girls from Senior Secondary and Upper Basic Schools affiliated to the Olympafrica Centre as well as football and volleyball games.
The 10km race for Senior Secondary Schools commenced at Denton Bridge with Mariama Mbaye of Bakoteh finishing first position in the girls catagory while Gibril Bah of the same school emerged first position in the boys category.
Ndey Adam A.B. Jallow and Mariama Sanneh of Yundum Barracks took second and third positions respectively in the girls Senior Secondary Schools race.
Hamat Jeng of Kanifing East came out second position in the boy Senior Secondary Schools run while Charles Mendy of Yundum Barracks occupied third position.
The 5km race for Upper Basic Schools which started at Jimpex Junction and ended at the Olympafrica Centre saw Awa Jallow, Neneh Jarjusey and Amie J. Njie of New Convenant held first, second and third positions respectively.
Bakary Darboe and Bubacarr Bah of Charles Jaw secured first and second positions in the boys Upper Basic Schools category while Ebrima Lowe of New Convenant finished third position.
Winners in all categories received gold, silver and boroze medals while all participants received certificates.
Lower Basic Schools afiliated to Olympafrica Centre also took part in kids athletics held simultaneously with the runs.
Ousman Wadda, Second Vice President of GNOC in reading International Olympic Committee President's message for Olympic Day 2023, said: “On Olympic Day, we remember the creation of the Olympic Movement by our founder Pierre De Coubertin. He wanted to make the world a better place through sport. This is why Olympic Day is always the perfect opportunity to get up and move.”
He added: “When we do sport, it keeps our mind and body strong and healthy. When we do sport, it inspires us to always give it our best. When we do sport, it makes us dream, it spreads joy and it brings us together. When we do sport, we live our new Olympic motto: Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together.”
“This is the beauty of sport: it inspires the world to move, and it brings us all together – as friends and as community, no matter where we are or how we choose to move,” he added. “In Olympic spirit, I wish you a wonderful Olympic Day celebration, and Let’s move”.
Meanwhile, International Olympic Day is much more than just a sport event. It is a day for the world to get active, learn about Olympic values and discover new sports. Olympic Day brings together people from all over the world to celebrate the Olympic Values. The event encourages young people to participate in sport and lead active and healthy lives.
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