The BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC) supported by its member National Federations will host its third free annual Sports Festival at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds from 9:00am to 12:00pm on Saturday, June 25, 2022. Photo: BVIOC

The morning session at the Sports Festival will feature interactive stations set up by National Sporting Federations with opportunities for everybody of all ages and abilities to try out a sport. Photo: BVIOC

The morning session at the Sports Festival will feature interactive stations set up by National Sporting Federations with opportunities for everybody of all ages and abilities to try out a sport. Photo: BVIOC

The morning session at the Sports Festival will feature interactive stations set up by National Sporting Federations with opportunities for everybody of all ages and abilities to try out a sport. Photo: BVIOC

The Sports Festival will mark Olympic Day which is internationally recognised each year on June 23.

#MoveForPeace

This year, the International Olympic Committee has added a new Olympic pillar that promotes peace. Identified on social media with the hashtag #MoveForPeace, Olympic Day encourages the community to get active and move together for a better world by practicing sustainability, inclusion, solidarity and peace.

"This will be the first time that we have been able to host the Sports Festival since COVID-19 impacted community activity and we are excited to return to what is a great day that celebrates Olympic Day and brings people together in a unified focus of sport in friendship and fun," said Mr Ephraim E. Penn, President of the BVIOC stated in a press release on June 15, 2022.

"This is a timely event that provides an opportunity for the public to come out as friends, get moving and discover a sport that suits their interests, uncovers natural talent and hopefully will ignite a healthy new habit and passion for life while combating the potential onset of non-communicable diseases!"

Opportunities to try a sport

The morning will feature interactive stations set up by National Sporting Federations with opportunities for everybody of all ages and abilities to try out a sport.

Adults and children alike will be able to test their skills and find out more about archery, athletics, basketball, football, rugby, sailing, softball/baseball, taekwondo, tennis and volleyball with a view to finding a sport to get active with in their daily lives. Each National Federation will also be able to provide information and sign up for summer camps for children.

Doping Control Officers (DCOs) will be on hand to explain more about anti-doping in sports - a cornerstone of all competitive events in the regional and international arena.

Free Olympic Day tee shirts

Free Olympic Day tee shirts will be handed out by the BVIOC and complimentary Dasani water, and Powerade will be provided courtesy of Road Town Wholesale.

In the run-up to Sports Festival, three National Federations are hosting big events which are open to the public. The BVI Athletics Association will host the National Youth and Senior Championships on Saturday, June 18 at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds; the BVI Squash Rackets Association is hosting the largest caliber Professional Squash Association international tournament of the territory to date at the Tortola Sports Club from June 21 - 25; and BVI Rugby Football Union is hosting a junior rugby game followed by a Senior 15s match on Friday, June 24 also at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds.

Olympic Day was established in 1948 as an annual occasion where everyone everywhere can get together in their communities to celebrate the Olympic values of Respect, Excellence, Friendship and Peace while celebrating the Olympic Day pillars: Move. Learn. Discover.