Get moving on Olympic Day 2023

World Sailing has committed to supporting the International Olympic Committee’s Let’s Move campaign as part of this year’s Olympic Day, taking place on June 23, 2023.

To promote better health through sport, the Olympic Movement will encourage and support people around the world to make time in their daily lives to move in any way, anywhere. The new global initiative is led by Olympians and created in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote the health benefits of regular physical activity.

Olympians including Allyson Felix, Pau Gasol, PV Sindhu, Yusra Mardini – to name a few of the athletes involved – have sent a digital invitation to schedule 30 minutes to move this day with them and to join the Let’s Move Olympic Day digital workout from anywhere in the world, with the ambition of turning this into a daily habit.

“World Sailing has prioritized equity, inclusion, and accessibility to make sure more people have access to the sport,” said World Sailing President, Quanhai Li. “We encourage anyone looking to take the first steps towards a more active lifestyle to find out more about how sailing can have a long-term positive impact on physical and mental health.

“Even if you aren’t able to get on the water on Olympic Day, please use this opportunity to tell your friends and family about the health benefits of sailing.”

Research has found that one in four adults and over 80% of young people do not meet the recommended minimum activity levels needed for optimum health (WHO, 2022). Not having enough time in the day is one of the most common reasons given for not being able to reach this goal. At the same time, starting with just 30 minutes of movement a day has significant health benefits for hearts, bodies and minds.

Regular physical activity can help prevent or manage certain diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some types of cancers. It also helps to prevent hypertension and reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety. Being active also ensures healthy growth and development in young people and staying healthy in later life.

The calming effect of being on the water, interacting with nature and away from the distractions of modern life has been shown to ease the impact of conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety, amongst others. These benefits, alongside the benefits of physical activity in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, help to increase confidence, develop friendships, feel calmer and more relaxed.

IOC President Thomas Bach added, “On Olympic Day, we celebrate the Olympic Movement’s mission to make the world a better place through sport. When we do sport, it keeps our mind and body strong and healthy. When we do sport, it inspires us to always give it our best and it makes us dream, it spreads joy and it brings us together.

“This year, together with the WHO, we are highlighting the positive impacts sport has on both physical and mental health. We want to inspire the world to move more every day. Sport and physical activity are the low-cost, high-impact tool for healthy bodies and healthy minds and resilient communities.”

Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing Program:
Men’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 7
Women’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 6
Mixed Two Person Dinghy – 470
Men’s Skiff – 49er
Women’s Skiff – 49erFx
Men’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class
Women’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class
Men’s Windsurfing – iQFoil
Women’s Windsurfing – iQFoil
Mixed Multihull – Nacra 17

Venue: Marseille, France
Dates: July 26-August 11

Details: https://www.paris2024.org/en/the-olympic-games-paris-2024/

Source: World Sailing