The National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) marked the 131st anniversary of Olympic Day with a major event at Morodok Techo National Stadium on June 22. The celebration aimed to inspire people of all ages to take up sports or exercise regularly, in order to promote global health.
Deputy Prime Minister Thong Khon, who serves as NOCC president, explained that the 131st anniversary (June 23, 1894 – June 23, 2025) marks the founding of the modern Olympic Movement by Frenchman Pierre de Coubertin.
He noted that this year’s Olympic Day was held under the theme “Let’s Move”, in line with Cambodia’s national campaign “Every Youth Should Know at Least One Sport for Life”. This initiative is part of phase one of the seventh-mandate government’s Pentagonal Strategy.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed strong concern about a global physical inactivity crisis among children, youth, and adults. According to WHO research, 1 in 4 adults and 80% of youth fail to meet the minimum recommended levels of physical activity necessary for good health.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is using the global celebration of the 131st Olympic Day to support WHO’s mission, encouraging a daily habit of physical activity with the slogan: ‘At least one hour per day for children and youth, and 45 minutes per day for adults’,” said Khon.
He explained that the core message of the Olympic movement is about uniting the world through sport to build a more peaceful and better world. This vision aligns with the Olympic philosophy: “To build a peaceful and better world through sport and Olympism”, and the movement’s three core values: Excellence, Respect, and Friendship.
The IOC organises the Olympic Games every four years, offering people from all nations an opportunity to come together in peace and harmony. The Games are also a powerful platform that reflects the Olympic dream — to unite the world through sports. The Games represent a profound dream for athletes everywhere, giving them the chance to showcase their peak abilities, in line with the Olympic motto: “Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together.”
“Commemorating Olympic Day reminds people worldwide of the lasting legacy of the Olympic Movement— a movement that has helped build a more peaceful world. This is the reason Olympic Day is celebrated globally every year,” said NOCC secretary-general Vath Chamroeun.
“As a member of the IOC, Cambodia has consistently joined the world in celebrating Olympic Day each year to remember how the Olympic Movement has brought peace and competitive spirit to global sport — contributing to both physical and mental well-being, and to social harmony,” he added.
As part of this year’s celebrations, the NOCC organised a National Athletes Forum, which brought together five Cambodian Olympians, who shared their personal experiences with young athletes and students. The goal was to inspire hope and show young people how to use these stories as motivation for success in the future.
Khon urged youth, students and athletes to participate in and promote the NOCC’s current national campaigns, while embracing the lifelong habit of playing sport and exercising to achieve well-rounded health — physically, mentally and intellectually.
This effort, he noted, is essential for nurturing talented young human resources in preparation for Cambodia’s first-ever hosting of the Asian Youth Games in 2029.
“Our goal is to develop high-quality, healthy human resources, which are vital for sustainable economic and social development. It also helps create a strong foundation of youth athletes to prepare for hosting the Asian Youth Games and Asian Youth Para Games in 2029,” he added.
