As every year, the International Olympic Day Festival was held at Meir Medical Center, bringing together Olympic and Paralympic athletes from a wide range of sports alongside dozens of children and teenagers. The Olympic Committee of Israel marks Olympic Day annually in accordance with the Olympic Charter, highlighting the unique contribution of sport towards building a better society and promoting the values that form the foundation of the Olympic Movement.
For the third consecutive year, the Olympic Committee of Israel dedicated this special day to children and teenagers living with obesity. Olympic athletes, who have volunteered regularly in recent years, took part in the event to encourage healthy, active lifestyles through sport and physical activity. Meir Medical Center has served as the official medical partner of Israel’s Olympic delegation for more than three decades. Alongside its commitment to supporting Israel’s elite athletes through leading sports medicine expertise, this longstanding partnership has also fostered educational and community initiatives throughout the year, inspiring younger generations through the values of Olympism.
The festival was officially opened by Adi Bichman, CEO of the Olympic Committee of Israel, and Professor Jacob Chen, CEO of Meir Medical Center. The opening ceremony featured a symbolic torch relay and the carrying of the Olympic flag by participating children accompanied by Olympic athletes.
Throughout the day, approximately 130 children experienced a variety of Olympic and Paralympic sports, including fencing, judo, taekwondo, archery, lacrosse, sport climbing, artistic gymnastics, and wheelchair basketball. All activities were led by Olympic and Paralympic athletes, providing participants with an inspiring opportunity to learn directly from Israeli role models.
Among the Olympic and Paralympic athletes who participated were Yuval Freilich, Ofir Shaham, Shahar Zubari, Shira Rishony, Itay Shanny, Roi Dror, Mikaella Moshe, Allon Dor-On, Asaf Yasur, and Moran Samuel.
