BY SANDHYA DISSANAYAKE, ATTORNEY-AT-LAW
Image Courtesy: NOC
Sri Lanka marked International Olympic Day with a vibrant and inspiring celebration today (23), held under the patronage of the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage, and attended by a large gathering of schoolchildren, young athletes, sports officials, and distinguished guests.
The event brought together key figures from the sporting community, including the Deputy Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, the President of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka, Olympic medallist Susanthika Jayasinghe, and Director General of the Department of Sports Development, S. Achchuden.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Gamage emphasized that the true essence of sport extends far beyond victory and individual achievement, highlighting the importance of values such as friendship, respect, discipline, and unity.
“Friendship and positive relationships among athletes represent the first discipline of sport. Every athlete must learn to respect not only their opponents but also their teammates to the highest degree. While talent is important, it is respect, discipline, and integrity that the younger generation must cultivate through sport,” the Minister stated.
He further noted that sports serve as a powerful platform for character development, fostering social harmony and promoting values that extend well beyond the field of play.
The Olympic Day celebrations also featured a series of educational and awareness programmes designed to promote Olympic values among schoolchildren and aspiring athletes. The sessions focused on the principles of excellence, friendship, and respect, which form the cornerstone of the Olympic Movement.
The event reflected Sri Lanka’s continued commitment to nurturing a culture of sportsmanship and inspiring the next generation of athletes to pursue excellence while upholding the highest ethical standards.
International Olympic Day is celebrated annually around the world to commemorate the founding of the modern Olympic Movement and to encourage participation in sport while promoting the values of unity, inclusion, and healthy living.
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