Instead of the usual on-field action, International Olympic Day will be celebrated online in Jharkhand this year.
The Covid-19 pandemic has forced Jharkhand Olympic Association (JOA), which is to be organized on June 23, to go virtual this time.
“Action on the field is not possible because of social distancing. So we have decided to go online,” JOA general secretary MK Pathak said, adding that Olympic associations have been given the responsibility of organising events at their respective districts.
Olympic Day was first celebrated in 1948 to commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic Games on June 23 at the Sorbonne in Paris. The goal was to promote participation in sports across the globe regardless of age, gender or athletic ability.
A JOA functionary said the events will include the ‘My Olympic fan’ contest, where participants need to send a picture of their favourite Olympian, and an Olympic Day quiz. The other events include painting, where participants get to draw pictures of the Olympics medal and mascot; a one-minute challenge and skill challenge.
The one-minute challenge involves maximum push-ups done in a minute, and participants can show of their skills while solo-practicing karate, wushu and cycling in the skill challenge contest.
Participants must upload their videos in a Whatsapp group before sending them to JOA through district Olympic outfits.
Previously, Olympic Day events used to comprise football, hockey and basketball tournaments, along with seminars on various topics, including sports injuries. An Olympic Day run used to be the highlight of the commemoration.