Anyone who believes that museums are quiet oases of contemplation has never experienced the Olympic Day at the German Sport & Olympic Museum (DSOM) in Cologne. On June 18, 2025, the museum was once again transformed into a lively venue for sport, movement and Olympic values, as 500 enthusiastic schoolchildren from across North Rhine-Westphalia celebrated Olympic Day together.
The event was organised by the German Olympic Academy (DOA) on behalf of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) – and once again executed with great dedication and professionalism by the experienced DOA team led by Wiebke Arndt, interim director of the DOA, Peter Fegers and Henning Kunkel. The new Chair of the DOA Board, Prof. Dr. Annette Hofmann, was also present and actively supported the smooth implementation of the event.
The Olympic Day is held annually to mark the founding of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on 23 June 1894 in Paris. First officially celebrated in 1948, Olympic Day pays tribute to the values of the Olympic Movement – excellence, friendship and respect – and highlights the unifying power of sport. While the official date is June 23, Olympic Day activities are traditionally spread over one to two weeks around this date, making it possible to celebrate the event five days early at the DSOM this year.
In line with the global slogan “Let’s Move”, the theme for 2025 was “+1”, encouraging people to be active together with a partner. In Cologne, the motto could easily have been “+499”, as a total of 500 schoolchildren from grades two to six, representing ten schools from five different cities in North Rhine-Westphalia, came together to experience first-hand the joy and unifying effect of sport.
The young participants were treated to a diverse programme of interactive sports stations, games and workshops, all aimed at bringing the Olympic values to life. In addition, they explored the German Sport & Olympic Museum in guided tours, gaining insights into the rich history of sport and the Olympic Movement. The lively atmosphere and the joy of shared physical activity once again demonstrated how Olympic education can be made accessible and engaging for children and young people.
Bastian Grueger, Executive Officer of the European Olympic Academies (EOA), attended the event on behalf of the EOA and gained a first-hand impression of the inspiring activities and well-coordinated programme. He expressed his appreciation for the outstanding work of the DOA and the impressive commitment of everyone involved: “It is great to see how the Olympic Day is used here in Cologne to inspire young people with the values of sport in such a tangible and joyful way. I especially appreciate that both Paralympic and Olympic athletes are equally showcased as role models – a strong message for the many children who took part.”
Further impressions, photos and a detailed report are available on the DOA website: The unifying power of sport – Olympic Day 2025
EOA calls for Olympic Day reports from its members
With Olympic Day celebrations taking place across Europe and beyond, the EOA would like to remind all its member organisations to share reports, photos and impressions from their activities. The EOA Head Office Team will compile a comprehensive overview highlighting the diverse ways in which Olympic values were promoted and celebrated across the continent during this year’s Olympic Day season.
The EOA warmly congratulates the German Olympic Academy on this successful event and thanks all those involved for their contribution to strengthening Olympic education and promoting the unifying power of sport.
