Alarmingly high numbers of individuals globally are failing to reach the minimum activity levels crucial for maintaining optimal health. Recent statistics indicate that approximately one in three adults and a staggering 81% of young people are not sufficiently active, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2024. In response to this critical issue, the Olympic Movement introduced the initiative Let’s Move in 2023. This initiative seeks to harness the spirit of the Olympic Movement to raise awareness about the increasing trend of physical inactivity and to create opportunities for people of all ages to engage in more physical activities, ultimately enhancing their overall well-being through sport.
IOC President Thomas Bach underscores the importance of sport, stating that it is not just a source of joy but also a unifying force that brings people together. He elaborates, “Sport and physical activity are also the low-cost, high-impact tools for healthy bodies, healthy minds, and resilient communities.” Bach invites everyone globally to partake in the joy of sport and to bring a friend along to celebrate Olympic Day, thereby extending the inspiration beyond the specific event. The campaign Let’s Move? aims to emphasize the numerous benefits derived from participating in sports and physical activities collectively, illustrating the motivation, community spirit, and sheer joy that movement alongside others can foster.
Engagement in group physical activities not only motivates individuals to commence their journey toward physical fitness but also aids in maintaining it over time. Recent surveys highlight that a significant 89% of young respondents affirmed that fun is a primary reason they partake in sports, as noted in the IOC/Allianz MoveNow Move365 Report of 2023. The notion of sport transcends mere physical movement; it embodies an opportunity to connect with others, forge friendships, and build a sense of community. This aspect is critical as it fosters social bonds and helps combat loneliness, a growing public health concern identified by the WHO, thereby contributing positively to mental well-being.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of WHO, calls physical inactivity a “silent global health emergency” that not only diminishes life expectancy but also places considerable strain on health systems worldwide. He emphasizes that too few individuals are aware of the associated risks of inactivity and that many lack the resources to make necessary changes. Furthermore, as social connections emerge as a pressing public health challenge, there exists a significant opportunity through promoting inclusive, community-based physical activities to simultaneously enhance physical health and strengthen social ties.
The Let’s Move? initiative serves as the theme for Olympic Day, which is celebrated globally on June 23rd each year, marking the founding of the modern Olympic Games in 1894. This year, the initiative encourages individuals to invite friends or acquaintances—referred to as “+1″—to join them in various activities such as walking, running, dancing, or simply moving together. Participants can engage with specially crafted digital tools associated with the campaign and share their activities on social media platforms by tagging @Olympics and using the hashtag #LetsMove.
Kirsty Coventry, the IOC President-elect, also emphasizes the notion that some of the most significant experiences in sports occur outside of traditional competition. Coventry notes that these powerful moments are often found in the camaraderie between teammates on those days when motivation might wane. The essence lies in collective efforts, mutual support, and the community built through shared experiences.
As part of the Olympic Day festivities, a plethora of mass participation events and digital activations is set to take place involving more than 150 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), International Sports Federations, and Olympic Games Organising Committees (OCOGs). Samsung, a Worldwide Olympic Partner, is inviting people to partake in the “Let’s Move?” challenge, designed exclusively for Android users, which encourages participants to collectively walk 260,000 steps between June 23 and July 21. In a similar vein, TCL, another Worldwide Olympic Partner, has launched its inaugural global campaign to commemorate Olympic Day. This campaign connects the future host cities, Los Angeles and Milan, through a thematic dance challenge slated for June 23.
Importantly, the initiative Let’s Move? is intended to extend beyond Olympic Day, with a vision supported by the Olympic Movement to continue to inspire and enable individuals to engage in physical activities. This ongoing campaign aims to amplify the positive impacts that community sports and exercise exert on physical, mental, and social health, aligning with the IOC’s priority area of “Sport, Health and Active Communities.” Through collaborative initiatives with WHO, the campaign aims to provide diverse populations with greater opportunities to engage in regular sports and physical activities. This effort contributes to the WHO’s Global Action on Physical Activity (GAPPA
