Kids could experience curling, athletics, biathlon shooting, casting, wrestling, boxing, orienteering, handball, volleyball, football, basketball, archery, trampolining and different parasports. At the Estonian Olympic Committee’s activity area, visitors could take photos of themselves as Olympians, learn more about clean sport with the Estonian Centre for Integrity in Sports and the Estonian Sports and Olympic Museum, test their speed and accuracy on a reaction wall, and create their own surfboard keychain.
Several Olympians were also sharing their experience and inspiring the next generation. For example, young curling players were coached by Olympian Marie Kaldvee, who recently finished 10th at the Milano Cortina Olympic Games, while archers received tips from Laura Nurmsalu, who placed 33rd in the women's recurve event at the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.
For Estonian skeleton athlete Darta Zunte, who finished 23rd at the Milano Cortina Olympic Games and was attending Olympic Day for the first time, the event was a memorable experience.
"It was my first time taking part in Olympic Day, and I had so much fun. I’m really happy that so many children were able to join and discover different sports. Together with my sister, I tried activities like casting and archery, which was a great experience. It was also a pleasure to have a friendly curling face-off with my Olympic roomie, Marie Kaldvee. Seeing so many young people active and enjoying sport made the day truly special," said Zunte.
With Zunte leading the way, even the youngest running enthusiasts aged seven and under completed the mini run course, with every finisher receiving a special Olympic Day medal.
Olympic Day is developing into much more than a run or a sports event. Based on the three pillars “move”, “learn” and “discover”, National Olympic Committees are deploying sports, cultural and educational activities that address everybody - regardless of age, gender, social background, or sporting ability. The Olympic Day was meant to celebrate the beginning of the contemporary Olympic movement in 1894, when Pierre de Coubertin's proposal to revive the tradition of the Olympic Games was unanimously approved in Sorbonne, Paris, and the International Olympic Committee was established.
Photos of the event can be found here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/NekSVB4R7BMLy7S87
Hundreds of Children Enjoyed the Olympic Day in Valga with Olympians
A lively Olympic Day organised by the Estonian Olympic Committee brought hundreds of children and families to the border town of Valga to celebrate the joy of movement on 10th of June.