In a significant move to honor the legacy of the modern Olympic movement, Beijing, a city distinguished for hosting both the 2008 Summer Olympics and the 2022 Winter Olympics, has proposed the establishment of November 25 as Olympic Culture Day. This initiative aligns with the 160th anniversary of the birth of Pierre de Coubertin, widely recognized as the father of the modern Olympic Movement. The proposed day aims to celebrate the extensive development of modern Olympic sports and the widespread dissemination of Olympic culture.
The date, November 25, holds historical significance in the Olympic narrative. On this day in 1892, Coubertin delivered a momentous speech in Paris, later known as the Olympic Manifesto. This speech laid the groundwork for the revival of the Olympic Games, leading to the first modern Olympiad held in Athens in 1896. Coubertin’s vision was instrumental in amalgamating diverse cultures and contemporary values, fostering a global pursuit of shared human ideals through sports.
Lou Xiaoqi, the chief of Civilization Magazine in China, elaborated on the significance of this initiative. The proposal to designate November 25 as “Olympic Culture Day” is not just a symbolic gesture but a strategic move to highlight the modern Olympic cultural path. This path encompasses various aspects such as school and community sports, urban sports initiatives, the dissemination of Olympic culture, the inheritance of the Olympic spirit, and the celebration of the Olympic Games themselves. The objective is to harness the power of sports to make the world a better place and to ignite in new generations the flame of timeless Olympic values.
Lou emphasized the cultural and value-based foundation of the modern Olympic Movement, as originally laid down in the Olympic Manifesto. The establishment of Olympic Culture Day is envisioned to be a beacon of inspiration, leveraging sports as a medium to enrich the world and to inculcate the Olympic values in contemporary societies.
The commemorations in Beijing included a special event at the Beijing Huiwen Middle School, which holds historical significance as the training ground for Liu Changchun, the first Chinese athlete to compete in the Olympics. A friendly relay race titled “Run toward Paris” was organized, resonating with the spirit of the Olympics and symbolizing the connection to the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. This event marked Paris as the second city after London to host the Olympics thrice.
Lou Xiaoqi further highlighted the importance of embracing the Olympic spirit in today’s challenging global landscape. He advocated for using the Olympic ideals as a representation of common human values, fostering unity and collective pursuit of higher aspirations and a better future for humanity.
In conjunction with the commemoration, a Chinese scroll themed on the Olympic Manifesto will commence its journey to Paris, symbolizing the cultural exchange and continuity of the Olympic legacy. The 2024 Paris Olympics, marking the 33rd Olympiad, will be a testament to this enduring legacy.
Since 2012, under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee, Civilization Magazine has spearheaded a campaign to promote the Olympic Manifesto globally. This initiative has been pioneering in its approach to disseminating Olympic culture, emphasizing the intrinsic values of peace, inclusivity, and mutual respect that are fundamental to the Olympic movement.
Lou Xiaoqi concluded by emphasizing the role of sports in conveying aspirations for a peaceful world, propagating shared human values, and contributing to the construction of a global community with a common destiny. The aim is to inspire people worldwide, especially the youth, to participate in and appreciate the beauty and joy of modern Olympic culture, transcending barriers of race, nationality, and gender. Through this initiative, Beijing not only commemorates an important figure in Olympic history but also fosters a global appreciation for the cultural and humanitarian impact of the Olympic Games.
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