The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) will hold the 2026 Olympic Day celebration on Saturday, July 4, 2026, with events planned across several states to promote fitness, friendship and respect through sports.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said this year’s Olympic Day will focus on “Let’s Move”, a campaign that encourages people to stay active for at least 30 minutes daily, following the World Health Organization’s health recommendation.
According to Tony Nezianya, Public Relations Officer, NOC, Olympic Day has remained a major event for the NOC, with states preparing programmes nationwide.
He quoted the Chairman of the NOC Sport For All Commission, Dr. Abdul Ibrahim, as saying that Edo, Delta, Ondo, Taraba, Bayelsa, Adamawa, Oyo, FCT, Anambra, Plateau, Kwara, Imo, Kogi, Gombe and the National Stadium Surulere Lagos will host activities.
The Olympic Day Run started on 23rd June, 1987, through the IOC Sport For All Commission to encourage National Olympic Committees (NOCs) to celebrate Olympic Day.
The first run covered 10km and involved 45 participating NOCs.
The event gained global attention, with nearly 200 NOCs joining over the years. In 2009, the Olympic Day Run returned to the wider Olympic Day format, built around the pillars of “Move”, “Learn” and “Discover”.
To the celebration, the Nigeria Olympic Committee and Sport For All Commission will organise the 2026 Olympic Day event with fitness and recreational activities in Lagos.
The programme will include aerobic exercises, jogging and demonstration events.
The celebration will end with the presentation of diplomas signed by the President of the International Olympic Committee and the Nigeria Olympic Committee.
The NOC President, Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel and other dignitaries will flag off the event.
