The Olympic Day 2026 once again demonstrated the power of sport to connect people, inspire movement, and promote Olympic values across Germany. Under the global theme “Let’s Move”, numerous activities encouraged children, young people, and communities to embrace an active lifestyle and experience the spirit of the Olympic Movement.
The central German Olympic Day event, organized by the German Olympic Academy (DOA) on behalf of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), took place at the German Sport & Olympic Museum in Cologne. Around 300 students participated in a diverse programme featuring athlete talks, guided museum tours, and hands-on sports activities. Athletes from Team Germany, Team Germany Paralympics, and Special Olympics shared personal stories about motivation, resilience, inclusion, fair play, and the joy of movement. The event also provided opportunities for participants to try a variety of sports and engage directly with athletes and sports organizations.
Beyond Cologne, Olympic Day was celebrated across Germany through a wide range of regional initiatives. In Berlin, school-based events and youth activities connected students with Olympians and promoted participation in sport. In Bonn, an Olympic Day programme for more than 1,000 students was built on a successful pilot projects from previous years. In Munich, activities combined educational, cultural, and athletic elements, including athlete presentations, public discussions on the Olympic legacy, a documentary screening, and an inclusive “Run for Olympic Values.”
Together, these events highlighted that the Olympic and Paralympic ideals extend far beyond elite competition. Olympic Day in Germany brought generations together, created meaningful encounters, strengthened inclusion, and inspired young people to live the values of friendship, respect, excellence, and fair play. We are grateful to all partners, athletes, volunteers, schools, and organizations whose commitment made Olympic Day 2026 such a success and helped spread the message of “Let’s Move” throughout the country.
Annotation: Copyright for featured image at the top: DOA/ Kai Peters
