NATIONAL COMMITTEE

GERMANY

1,250 Runners Stuttgart, June 23rd This year’s Olympic Day Run was com- bined with the third Stuttgart City Run. Besides the 1Okm open course, for which the target group was fun runners and active recreational sportsmen and women over twelve, there were also 1.8, 6 and 15km courses for schoolchildren, beginners and experienced athletes.

The German Olympic Association used the occasion to promote the themes of fair play, anti-doping and sport for all. Participants also had the chance to try out a treadmill and, with their individual styles captured on high-speed video camera, receive advice on technique. Other related activities included a Runners Fair, in which leading sports manufacturers presented the The IOC certificates shown off by latest shoes and helped people with the Runners in Albania. right choice of footwear.

ALBANIA

45,000 Runners Nationwide, 23rd June The NOC writes that “we already have good experience” in organizing Olympic Day. The participation figures make that look like something of an understatement. Forty five thousand people took part in the 1Okm Run in the capital, Tirana and throughout other regions. The result of the efforts of a special NOC commission headed by the national sport for all organi- zation in collaboration with the Committee of Physical Culture, which drew up an indi- vidualized programme for each region. To ensure wide publicity, various basketball, boxing, football, and volleyball activities were held in the week leading up Cooling off in Stuttgart (GER). to Olympic Day.

562 Runners take their marks in Curaçao(AHO).

ARGENTINA

950 Runners Buenos Aires, 24th June The Olympic Day Run followed an 8. 3km round course from near the River Plate Sta- dium. If the aim of the event was non-com- petitive, with entire families taking part and having fun, some top athletes were still tak- ing it seriously. Paulo Sant’Anna of Brazil covered the distance in 25’22, with Nelida Olivet first across the line amongst the women in a time of 29’29” and Jorge Fer- rari the top-placed wheelchair participant in 32’15”. NOC President Col. Antonio Rodriguez, IOC member, was present to help hand out the t-shirts and certificates.

Getting off to a good start in Buenos Aires (ARC).

NETHERLAND ANTILLES

98 Runners Curacao, 9th June This year’s Run, organized by the NOC in collaboration with the Antilles Athletic Union, was held though the centre of Curaçao. There was a 2 1/4km course for the under-fourteen-year-olds, of whom forty-two took part, and a 5km course for seniors, who numbered fifty-six.

563 NATIONAL COMMITTEES

AUSTRALIA

Olympic Awareness Week Olympic Awareness Week in was launched in a very special way: eight youngsters from the Far West Children’s Home and six others joined NOC President Mr John Coates on an Australian Airlines “Olympic Express” flight from to Canberra for the official launch at the Aus- tralian Institute of Sport on June 20. It was the first ever flight for many of the children, who were delighted to be accompanied by several of Australia’s Olympians, young hopefuls and journalists. The flight was met at Canberra by Mr Rob de Castella, now Director of the Australian Institute of Sport.

During the week, many varied events Line of Runners in Bucutiweg were held Australia-wide. Highlights of (ARU). some of the celebrations were 1936 Olym- pian, Edgar (Dune) Gray, Australia’s oldest surviving gold medallist, taking part in a

ARUBA

101 Runners Bucutiweg, 23rd June Seventy-two of the entrants managed to complete the 5km Run for men and women of all ages. First across the line was Mr Steve Duzanson, in a time of 16’49. Special mention should be made of Charles Angela, who, in 33rd place, was the sole athlete competing in a wheelchair. HayLey Lewis, world 2OOm Mr Gabriel Illidge, NOC Vice-President, champion, gave the starting signal and presented the takes a break from training to awards. The evaluation : “very successful”, joins the Run in Queensland with photographs and articles on the event (A US). appearing in most major dailies.

564 Creek Grand Prix raceway providing the , Olympic swimming venue for thousands of Sydneysiders in champion in ‘56 and ‘60, jogging shoes lapping the circuit normally launches the Olympic Education reserved for the roar of motorbike engines Kit in Orange Grove Primary and screeching tyres. School, Sydney (AUS).

BAHAMAS

173 Runners/Walkers Nassau, 30th June “A Run to Paradise” was the slogan of the Olympic Day Run and Health Walk, which both finished up at the island of this name. There, the participants, who ranged in age from seven to seventy-three enjoyed a well-deserved healthy breakfast courtesy of a local hotel. IOC certificates were given to all runners and trophies to the first three in each of the five categories, which went from under twenty-year olds to the over- fifties. Mr Larry Davis, who organized the Run, reminded everyone that next year is special flag raising ceremony at Darling Olympic year: “Get in shape, keep in Harbour, adjacent to Sydney’s Central Busi- shape and be ready for next year...” ness District. “Dun”, the Australian flag bearer at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, brought along the flag he carried there. Fel- low Olympic greats, Lionel Cox, Kevin Runners in Paradise (BAH). Nichols, Marlene Matthews O’Shea and Gloria Cook participated in the ceremony.

Youngsters were treated to special introductions to “Willy” the koala, Aus- tralia’s official Olympic Team mascot, at Australia’s Wildlife Park. Children also joined with popular Olympians Dawn Fra- ser and when they launched the Australian Schools Project kit designed specifically to heighten schoolchildren’s awareness of Olympic aims and ideals. Sydney’s Orange Grove Primary School hosted the launch of the Olympic Educa- tion Kit, which has been produced in two versions for primary and secondary stu- dents.

Olympic Awareness Week culminated in “Olympic Day” runs in the capital cities around Australia with the new Eastern

565 NATIONAL COMMITTEES

Children in Abomey-Calavi (BEN).

BARBADOS

8th November “An enjoyable afternoon’s leisure time activity” is the verdict of the NOC Presi- dent, Mr Austin Sealy, on the 6km Run and Walk organized last month in Barbados. It attracted men, women and children of all ages from ten to sixty-five. Plans are already being made to organize next year’s event on a grander scale, particularly as it is likely to be the NOC’s last major event before the Games in Barcelona.

Study in starting tactics, Barbados.

BENIN

3,700 Runners Abomey-Calavi, 22nd June Celebrations for Olympic Day were organ- ized by the NOC on three successive Satur- days in the “S.O.S. Village” of Abomey-Cal- avy, for the benefit of local children and youngsters. Firstly, a cross country race on 22nd June, in which three thousand seven hundred five-to-fifteen-year-olds took part, then the finals of a volleyball and handball tournament a week later and, finally, a presentation ceremony of certificates, prizes and trophies.

566 BELGIUM

1,692 Runners Coxyde, June 24th The third Olympic Day Run in Belgium, split into two races, one for the under four- teens and the other for adults, was held on the beach in Coxyde and watched by thou- sands of holiday-makers. The event was organized by the NOC, in collaboration with the city, the army and the Ministry of Culture.

Anti-drug Runners in Belize.

BELIZE

141 Runners 23rd June The third Olympic Day Run in Belize coin- cided with Drug Awareness Week, so the theme “Let’s Run Against Drugs” was easily incorporated into this sport for all event. The Run was done by a hundred and forty- one athletes, who were divided into four categories each for men and four for the women - primary and junior school child- ren, open and veteran. Many spectators watched their efforts, which were broad- cast on national television. Addresses were given by the Minister for Youth and Com- munity Development and by the NOC Pre- sident, Mr Edward Pitts. Run in Coxyde (BELL). 567 NATIONAL COMMITTEE

Group shot of Runners in (BHU).

Mohammed Rashid from Chhoden Junior High School came in second place while Karma Sherpa from the Department of Revenue and Customs settled for third. In the twelve kilometre girls’ marathon from Namselling to Changlimithang, Tsher- 263 Runners ing Lhamo of Changzamtog Primary School Thimphu, 23rd June followed Chimi Wangmo for the second “A unique feature emerging from the position and Karma Wangmo of Yangchen- annual marathon organized by the Youth phug High School, the third. Welfare Association in collaboration with the seems to In the same distance for juniors, Kinlay be the winners’ reluctance to let go of the Tshering from Changzamtog came in first in lead. 1 hour 58 minutes followed closely by col- league Suresh from the same school. Nar- In the run that was held on June 23rd, kha Nanda from the Lungtenzampa Junior Tobgay won the men’s marathon for the High School finished third. fifth time in a row while, Chimi Wangmo won the girl’s marathon for the second This year a total of two hundred and time. And furthermore, Tobgay even sixty three Runners participated in the improved on his last timing regardless of event and one hundred and sixty three of the fact that the distance was increased by them completed the run. Chief Justice a kilometre this year, He finished the 20km Dasho Sonam Tobgay, the Chief Guest for run from Khasadrapchu to Changlimithang the occasion, gave away the medals and in 1 hour 18 minutes as compared to his 1 cups to the winners and runners-up. ” hour 23 minutes for nineteen kilometres last year. Reprinted from ‘’

568 BOLIVIA

2300 Runners La Paz, 6th July The Run was, once again, a great success. And, like last year, it was the occasion for a presentation of trophies for each group, as shown in the photo above by NOC Presi- dent Mr Roberto Nielsen-Reyes, who declared himself delighted with the tur- nout.

Runner power, Rio de Janeiro (BRA).

BRAZIL

6000 Runners Rio de Janeiro, 23rd June Several top level competitions were on the programme to mark Olympic Day in Brazil on 23rd June. Six thousand athletes took part in the Rio de Janeiro marathon where the 42. 195 km course took them through the streets and avenues of Copacabana, lpanema and Leblon. The best swimmers from Brazilian clubs gathered for four days of swimming championships at the Julio Delamare Aquatic Park. In rowing, a junior championship open to athletes of both sexes was staged on the Rodrigo de Freitas lake, again in Rio. Finally, a Sport for All event was held with great success at Mar- inga, in the state of Parana. 569 NATIONAL COMMITTEES

BULGARIA CHILE

300 participants in Run 1,036 Runners and Tennis Tournament Santiago, 23rd June Bankia, June 22nd The third consecutive Olympic Day Run Once again, Olympic Day was celebrated organized by the NOC drew about four in the town of Bankia (see photo p. 561), hundred more competitors than last year with a 10km Run and a doubles tennis and was broadcast by two national TV competition. Numbers were up on last networks. First across the line were Jaime year, with competitors from all the regions. Ojeda, in 29’55” for the men and Monica Regonessi with a time of 37’04” for the women. Awards were presented by Messrs Sergio Santander, NOC President, and Ser- gio Brotfield, Sub-Director of “Digeder”, in the presence of two famous national ath- letes: Marlene Ahrens, silver Olympic medallist in Melbourne in 1956 and Gil- berto Navarro, former Panamerican cham- pion and world record holder in clay pigeon shooting.

CAYMAN ISLANDS PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC 200 Runners OF George Town, 29th June Olympic Day was celebrated with a 3km walk as well as a 5km Run to encourage family participation. Despite high tempera- ture and humidity, the number of partici- pants was still good. “Entrants comprised not only the regulars on the local running scene but also a good cross-section of the other sports associations on the island, together with a number of tourists and some distinctly recreational joggers!There was a very large turnout in the walk, which included many young children, some in pushchairs, together with parents, grand- parents and teenagers.” The NOC made the most of the occasion to raise awareness of its activities in the local press and radio and the event received T. V coverage for the first time. “The event has now secured a permanent niche in the local sports cal- endar whilst at the same time promoting the cause of Olympism in the Cayman Off to a good star in . Islands. ”

570 10,000 Runners under thirty-year-olds, thirty-year-olds, Beijing, 23rd June veterans forty and over, for the men, an open A mass calisthenics display by students at the women’s race for women, a paraplegic ath- Beijing Institute of Physical Education was letes group and, finally, a category for non- held before the start of the Olympic Day Run, amateur athletes. attended by officials from the NOC, the State Commission for Physical Culture and Sports and city government. Over ten thousand stu- dents took part in the Run itself. After they had finished, they took part in a mass signing of a 40m banner of support for the candida- ture of the Chinese capital to host the Games in the year 2000.

CYPRUS

Ready for starter’s orders in Brazzaville with IOC member and ANOCA President H.E. Mr Jean-Claude Ganga (third left).

PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

109 Runners Brazzaville, 30th June Around 2,500 spectators applauded the Olympic Day winner in Olympic Day Runners as they arrived at the (CYH). finish line in the Makélékélé University Sports Centre in Brazzaville. Prizes and t-shirts were 180 Runners presented by H. E. Mr Jean-Claude Ganga, Nicosia, 22nd June IOC member, NOC and ANOCA President, The amateur runners club Pericles Demet- who had run a short part of the course him- riou helped the NOC organize the Run, in self. The day’s celebrations then continued which a hundred and eighty people took with junior basketball and volleyball part. There were six categories of entrant: matches.

571 NATIONAL COMMITTEES

COSTA RICA

1,000 Runners San José, 7th July “It brings back the joy of participating to all those who like doing sport” were the words of one participant at the finish-line of the fourth Olympic Day Run in Costa Rica. Now the NOC is planning a simul- taneous Run in another province next year, so that the event can become more national in scope.

Seoul support.

KOREA

4,800 Runners , 23rd June The Olympic Day Run took place as usual along a route from the Seoul Olympic Main Stadium to the Olympic Peace Gate. The NOC collaboration with the Korean Ama- teur Athletic Federation was most success- ful : “people from all social strata partici- pated, men, women and children of all ages”. The event was attended by Messrs Chul Un Park, Chong Yul Kim, Jung Ki Park, respectively Minister of Sports, NOC Presi- dent, and President of the Korean Amateur Handshake for a Runner in San Athletic Federation, along with other sports José (CRC). officials.

572 and to involve people on a regional basis. H.E. Mr Louis Guirandou-N’Diaye, IOC The idea received great interest member, hands out the amongst the local organizers, mostly mem- certificates in the Côte-d’lvoire. bers of our Olympic Academy Group, i.e. former participants at the IOA and NOA sessions.

The president of the Danish Olympic Committee, Mr lngo Nielsen, started the run in Copenhagen/Broendby and pre- sented the IOC certificates to the partici- pants as well as the Olympic Day Runner t-shirts. In Aarhus Gen. Niels Holst-Soren- sen, IOC member in Denmark, was present and he handed over the IOC certificates. Furthermore, former Olympians were pres- ent, some of them wearing their uniforms from 1952.

CÔTE-D’IVOIRE

200 Runners Abidjan, Koumassi, Port-Bouet, Marcory, Plateau, Abobo, 14th July “We’re very happy that so many people, young and old, and so many women have come to take part, that they have come to run just for fun. “ was the welcome of H. E. Louis Guirandou N’Diaye, IOC mem- ber and NOC President, to the 200 partici- ” pants in the Olympic Day Run in Cote “On your marks... in Guayaquil d’lvoire’s capital. (ECU). In spite of very bad weather on Satur- day 22nd June, between three hundred and fifty and four hundred Runners partici- pated. Particularly in Odense, much infor- mation had been communicated via the local press. This has given the local organ- DENMARK izers as well as ourselves a good basis for next year’s event in an Olympic year... We 350-400 Runners feel sure that the spreading of the Run, Copenhagen, Odense, Aarhus, Alborg involving more people and cities/regions is 22nd June a good idea. We look forward to the Olym- “This year’s Olympic Day Runs were pic Day Run 1992.” arranged in four major cities in Denmark in order to give more publicity to the event Elo Tostenaes, NOC Secretary-General

573 NATIONAL COMMITTEES

Getting the message across in the Dominican Republic.

DJIBOUTI

500 Runners 21 st June The four hundred runners in Djibouti’s fourth Run were joined at the 3. 5km mark by the twelve-to-fifteen-year-olds for the last 2. 5kms. Several wheelchair athletes made a welcome first appearance in the event.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

735 Runners Dubai, 7th June Five hundred and forty three of the partici- pants, who came from all over the and included some foreign- ers, finished the 5 km Run despite humid conditions. Extensive coverage was given in newspapers and on T.V. and radio both before and after the Run. A timely start for Djibouti’s fourfh Run.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Santo Domingo Hundreds of athletes and sports officials participated in the Peace Run to celebrate Olympic Day, which took place in the streets around the Juan Pablo Duarte Olym- pic Centre in the capital. This year, instead of spreading the celebrations over several days and including a wide range of sports events, in order to focus maximum atten- tion on the event, the NOC concentrated on the Run, broadcast on television, as well as an interview with the President Dr Jose Presentation in Dubai. Joaquin Puello.

574 ECUADOR

1,000 Runners Guayaquil, October 26th The fifth “Pierre de Coubertin Olympic Run” was organized in Guayaquil, home city of the NOC, in collaboration with the national Olympic Academy. There were five categories of Runner: open, young- sters, seniors, masters and disabled. Five days later, the NOC also organized for the first time an “Olympic Supper”, which brought together generations of the coun- try’? most famous athletes, including mem- bers of the delegation to the 1st Bolivarian Everyone a winner in Fiji. Games in Bogota in 1938 as well as Panam- erican champions and Olympians. The Run was held in Lautoka for the first time, as well as a simultaneous edition in Suva. The event was opened by the Minis- ter for Youth and Sports, The Hon. Filipe Bole. There were no “winners”. instead, several prizes were given to school teams and to people whose names were drawn out of a hat. The first seven hundred peo- ple to register received Coca-Cola t-shirts.

FRANCE Pierre de Coubertin Olympic Run in Guayaquil. 500 Runners Créteil, 20th and 21 st June Créteil staged the Olympic Day Run as the finale to the Jeux de I’Avenir, “a real initia- tion of youngsters to Olympism”,which it hosted from 17th to 20th June (see OR No FIJI 286). This year, the Run was held as a “24- hour Relay”, won by the team of fire- 800 Runners men, who covered a total of 470,756 km Suva, Lautoka, 22nd June in the time.

575 NATIONAL COMMITTEES

Runners’ poses, Banjul (CAM).

GAMBIA Banjul, 21 st June . . . and Ghana. Olympic Day was celebrated on 21st June instead of 23rd because this coincided with “Tobaski”, the most important national holi- day. Plenty of people lined the streets to watch the Run, held along a a 5km and lokm route. Among other activities was a women’s football match. This is a new sport for women in the country and is actively being promoted by the Gambia Football Association.

GHANA As usual, the Olympic Day was a sporting occasion in Ghana. The Run, which was open to all, had as much succers as last year’s in Accra, with a good turnout of participants, seen, left, wearing their t-shirts.

576 GREAT BRITAIN

661 Runners Manchester, Loughborough, Southampton, Bafman comes down to earth for June 25th the Run in Guam. The aim this year was to build on the suc- cess of the first Olympic Day Run in Britain in 1990. This was done by spreading the celebrations throughout three cities : Man- chester, which is bidding for the Games in 2000, Loughborough, and Southampton, GUATEMALA whose university departments of physical education organized the event. The good 1,200 Runners co-ordination between them augurs well Guatemala City, June 23rd for a future Run on a national scale. With this in mind, a promotional video has been The fourth Olympic Day Run in Guatemala developed to give the event a more was divided into two 5 and 1Okm courses, clearly-defined profile. for three categories of runner: open, schoolchildren and the disabled. The event was an organizational as well as a popular success, with the help of the national ath- letics federation, the Boy Scouts, the Red Cross, the White Cross, the national sports confederation, the department of Physical Education, Recreation and School Sport, the , as well as national television and press.

All ages show some Olympic spirit in Guatemala.

GUAM

400 Runners Tumon, 22nd June The fifth annual Olympic Spirit Run was held as a fundraising event for Guam’s two- hundred-strong delegation at the 9th South Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea. Held within the context of a summer public awareness programme on the Olympic Movement, the Run attracted over four hundred participants, who could also take part in a fancy dress competition. The Guam Volleyball Federation entered into the carnival mood by providing a spaghetti dinner for hungry athletes.

577 NATIONAL COMMITTEES

ticipate in the Panamerican Games in August. The starting signal for the Olympic Day Run was given by Messrs Jean-Edouard Baker, Guy Dumesle and Roland Roy, the GUYANA NOC President, Vice-President and Secre- tary General respectively. 300 Runners Georgetown, 21st July A “keep fit jog” was the NOC’s focus for the annual Olympic Day Run, which had a good entry despite “very unkind weather” from national federations, the University of HONDURAS Guyana, teacher training colleges, the police and the military. 500 Runners Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, 6th July This year’s Run was held simultaneously in the capital, Tegucigalpa and in San Pedro Sula, a city in the north of the country. There were seven different categories of Runner, including one for blind athletes. In addition, some children’s events were organized by the national table tennis and fencing federations.

Braving the weather to run in Georgetown.

HAITI

57 Runners Port-au-Prince, June 23rd Prizes for the Run were given to the two female participants, Beatrice Bastien and Carline Bruno, and the oldest Runner, Emmanuel Bouillon, aged 60, as well as the first three males across the finish line, Winners podium, Port-au-Prince Frantz Jean, Jean Dieujuste Gedeon, Ricot (HAI). Milien, who were given the chance to par-

578 Showing off the trophies in Honduras.

INDONESIA

7,000 Runners , August 4th The Amateur Athletic Associa- tion, presided by Mr Bob Hasan, organized the 1991 Olympic Day Run, which took place in the capital. Officials present included Mr Surono, NOC President and Mr Susilo Sudarman, Minister for Tourism, Post and Telecommunications and Lt-Gen. Kunarto, Chief of National Police, both NOC Vice-Presidents.

Picture of health, . HONG KONG

700 Runners 23rd June The Olympic Day Run was organized by the Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Associa- tion at the Yuen Ho Road Football Ground with the collaboration of the regional coun- cil, which allowed free use of these facilit- ies as a gesture of support for the Olympic Movement, and of the Shatin Sports Club. Owing to summer heat and humidity, the course length was set at 4. Skm. The tur- nout of seven hundred people was espe- cially good, as the Dragon Boat Festival provided a rival attraction. Mass start in Jakarta (INA).

579 NATIONAL COMMITTEES

Icelanders on the move,

ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF

Tehran, 23rd june Thousands of participants of all age groups . . . and . took part in the Olympic Day Run, which was held in five different locations through- out the country.

ICELAND 1,600 Runners Reykjavik, Akureyri, June Runners were started off simulaneously in Reykjavik and Akureyri with the help of a radio station, which broadcast a live com- mentary of the event. This year, the NOC teamed up with the Icelandic Cancer Society to promote participation under the theme of health through a better lifestyle,

580

2,000 Runners 6548 Runners Tel Aviv, June 20th Nagano, 2nd June, followed by other cities The Central Athletics Stadium in Hadar Yosefh was the start and finish for the Olympic Day Run, which was organized over 1 km and Skm routes in Tel Aviv. Two days later, a separate celebration was held in to mark Olympic Day, in the presence of Messrs Yoram Oberkovich and Zevelun Hammer, Minister of Educa- tion and Culture and with Mrs Vera Cas- lavska and Mr Aleksander Kwasniewski, Presidents of the Czechoslovak and Polish NOCs respectively as guests of honour. Awards were made to the national champi- ons in forty-eight sports disciplines.

Stars of the stadium, Olympic Day Runners in Tel Aviv (ISR) The Olympic Day Run in Japan took part in different cities throughout June, beginning in Nagano, which thirteen days later was to be elected the Olympic Host City for 1998. Nine hundred people took part. Other cit- ies which took up the challenge were Kumamoto, Fukuoka, Sapporo, , Hiroshima, Shibetsu, where the turnout ranged from four hundred and sixty-four to one thousand three hundred people.

An Olympic Day celebration was also held on 23rd June at the Kishi Memorial Hall in Tokyo, headquarters of the NOC.

Smiles from Japanese Runners.

581 NATIONAL COMMITTEES

Decentralizing the Run in .

KENYA

2,000 Runners Nairobi, 22nd June Over two thousand Kenyans took part in the seventh annual Olympic Day Fun Run organized by the NOC. The 10 km Run around Nairobi began about 2. 30 pm and for the faster participants was over by 3. 15 pm. Athletes were flagged off from Nairobi Uhuru Park by the Minister for Tourism and Wildlife, Mr Noah Katana Ngala. They were divided into five groups: senior men, senior women, junior boys, junior girls and the disabled. Mr John Velzian,one of the organizers, said that women, children and the disabled, including the mentally handi- capped, the blind and the deaf, were very much encouraged to take part. “This Run is yet another side to the Olympics. ” LAOS

700 Runners Thakkek,June22nd Starting line in Nairobi. The NOC aimed to decentralize the Olym- pic Day Run in order to promote it in the provinces and it chose Thakkek, in the pro- vince of Khammouane, which this Decem- ber hosts the 3rd National Games, as the venue.

The Run was divided into a 1Okm course through steep terrain for young men and another, less arduous and half the dis- tance, for young women, under-15s and veterans. A good example was set by Mr lnpong Khyyavong, the governor of the province, who not only gave the starting signal and handed out the prizes but also ran the shorter course himself, along Mr Phieng Sisoulat, Deputy Minister of Educa- tion and Sports. The event was organized by an NOC-appointed team : Mr Kham- houng Sacklokham, NOC treasurer and act- ing president of the Laotian athletics feder- ation,Mr Kasem Inthira, assistant director of the Sports Department of the Ministry of Education and Sport and Mr Medsanh, a national coach, in collaboration with Khammouane’s education and sports department.

582

2000 Runners, 50 Cyclists June 16th Participants in the very successful Run and a cycling event to mark Olympic Day crossed the former demarcation lines and covered all sectors of . The NOC Pre- sident, Mr Toni Khouri, made a speech in which he emphasized the aim of the event: “to propagate peace and friendship and the noble Olympic spirit in the hearts of youngsters and athletes.”

Running across the former demarcation lines in Beirut (LIB).

LUXEMBOURG

1200 Runners Diekirch, June 9th Getting youngsters involved in the spirit of Olympism was the aim for the Olympic Day Run, the fourth in Luxembourg and the third in Diekirch. It broke all previous entry figures - special free trains brought the fun runners to Dietrich - with more than five hundred participants in the 10k course and seven hundred under-twelves in the “mini- Run” of 1,50Om,all dressed up in blue, yel- low, black, green and red. The same palette of colours was also evident in an exhibition of Olympic collages sent in from schools throughout the Duchy. Indeed, more than five hundred classes, eight thou- sand children in all, benefited from the teaching manual specially prepared by the NOC in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. After the Run, youngsters were given the chance to try themselves out in an “athletics workshop”. Olympic festival, Diekirch (LUX).

583 NATIONAL COMMITTEES

Start in the centre of .

1,387 Runners Kuala Lumpur, 30th June “Held in an atmosphere of good sports- manship, gaiety and festivity.” To attract a bigger turnout, the Run was divided into four categories. The strategy seems to have worked, with 923 men in the 1Okm open category, 210 women in the 8km, and 213 and 41 men and women respectively in 6 km races. The Hon. Tan Sri Hamzah, NOC President and IOC member, flagged off the Runners and presented prizes.

Delighted youngsters in Malta.

MALTA

700 Runners, Swimmers, Cyclists 23rd June The NOC organized a three-sports pro- gramme to mark Olympic Day: a Fun Run, a long-distance swim and a cycling event. These were staggered so that all partici- pants finished up in Balluta Bay at approxi- mately the same time. Mr Gino Camilleri, NOC President and Dr Micheal Frendo, Minister for Sports, gave the official starts. There was excellent media coverage.

584 MAURITIUS MEXICO

2,000 Runners 1,000 Runners Port-Louis, June 23rd Mexico City, 30th June “The Olympic Day Run must be a day of The “Running is Health” route in Chapulte- celebration and joy. It’s this impression that pet park was again the venue for this year’s we had...“, says NOC President Mr Chinta- Run. Prizes and the IOC certificates were mun Rambocus. Despite the rain, the tur- presented by Mr Guillermo Montoya San- nout for this fifth edition was good. This chez, NOC Secretary-General. “An event year, there was a national dimension to the that is already traditional, it attracts a large event, with participants coming to the capi- number of middle distance runners, and tal from throughout the island. Amongst the average jogger does it for his own per- those present was Mr Rampaul Ruhee, IOC sonal satisfaction just as much as athletes member and NOC Secretary-General and who are members of sports clubs and who Mr Sada Vudamalay, the Sports Director at have included it amongst their training pro- the Ministry of Youth and Sports, as well as gammes.” Entries were limited to the first officials from all regions of the island and thousand people to register correctly, with various sports federations. a supporting medical certificate. The start was given by Mr Fernando Corona Alvarez, NOC Director General.

Three of the thousand Runners in Mexico.

MAURITANIA

552 Runners Nouakchott, 18th October The public displayed a now-traditional interest in the Olympic Day events held on 18th October this year, for reasons involv- ing the national calendar. The NOC’s 10 km cross country run took place in Nouakchott in the presence of experts from Olympic Solidarity. 152 runners set off along a route which brought them finally to the Olympic sports complex in the capital. At the finish line inside the stadium, the technical adviser to the Minister of Youth and Sport, Mr Fall Youssouf; the NOC President, Mr Moustapha Saleck Kamara; and the Secre- tary General, Mr Séye Cheikh Oumar Tid- jane presented diplomas and T-shirts to all those who completed the run. “A symbolic moment which enabled the NOC and our youngsters to perpetuate the Olympic ideal.”

585 NATIONAL COMMITTEES

Congratulations for a Runner in Mozambique.

MONACO

IO0 Athletes 22nd June, Monte-Carlo A hundred athletes took part in the second “Day of Adapted Sports”, organized in the context of Olympic Day by Special Olym- pics Monaco in the Louis II Stadium. On the were athletics events, the 1OOm and 400m, long jump and swim- ming. Everyone won a medal, as well as their shirts and IOC certificates, everyone a champion...

Special Olympic Day in Monte-Carlo.

MOZAMBIQUE

800 Runners Lichinga, Nampula, June 23rd The 5km Olympic Day Run was held in two cities in two northern provinces of Nampula and Niassa. Three hundred peo- ple took part in Nampula, including the governor of the province. Another five hundred ran in Lichinga, in Niassa pro- vince. “The event had great impact, as no- one had heard about Olympism there,” according to Mr Marcelino Macome, NOC Secretary-General. A success for all con- cerned, organizers as well as participants.

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3,000 Runners Yangon, 23rd June Officials of the NOC, the Physical Educa- tion Committee, led by their respective presidents, Lt-Cen Aung Ye Kyaw and Cal. Pe Thein, as well as of national federations, set a good example before the Olympic Day Run on 23rd June by taking part in a 5km walk to commemorate Olympic Day. Following this, there was a 10km road race around the picturesque part of Yangon, in which three thousand people took part. In addition, about seventeen thousand five hundred athletes took part in competitions staged by other national sports federations in the capital : football, cycling, volleyball, boxing, judo, tennis, karatedo, rowing, yachting, acrobatics, aerobics, “chinlon” (cane ball), taekwondo, hockey, and tradi- tional martial arts such as “thaing”.

NEPAL

600 Runners , 23rd June Organized for the first time in , the Olympic Day Run attracted no less than six hundred participants, a “very encouraging” start, Courses were set at 7, 4 and 2kms for men, women and children respectively. Running with a smile in Nepal.

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NIGERIA NORWAY

2,450 Runners 5,000 Runners Abuja, Abeokuta, Calabar, Lagos Lillehammer, 16th June The third Run organized by the NOC, The host city for the 1994 Winter Games working closely with the Amateur Athletics held its fifth Olympic Day Run, with partici- Association of Nigeria and the police, was pation up yet again by 50% on last year’s, held in four centres. Maj.-Gen. Henry Ade- The event was accompanied by a now tra- fope, IOC member, started the seven hun- ditional ceremonial : the lighting of a flame dred and fifty runners off in Lagos with Mr by mascots Haakon and Kristin, the singing Saheed Lawal, Secretary-General of the of the “Olympic Day Run Song” by the NOC, while Maj.-Gen. Gado Nasko, Minis- local pop group Love Letters and the ter for the Federal Capital Territory, flagged march past of the Lillehammer Guttemu- off the first Olympic Day run in the capital, sikk Veterankops Band in their blue and Abuja, accompanied by NOC President Mr white uniforms. Alhaji Adejumo and Mr Gora, assistant Secretary-General, Akeokuta’s second Run, The Run was organized over two dis- staged with the help of the Ogun State tances of 5 km and 10km, encouraging Sports Council, drew 850 participants and rather new converts to jogging as well as the one in the ancient city of Calabar, some of the country’s top athletes. The organized by the Federal Ministry of Youth number of companies allowing their and Sports, another six hundred. employees to compete is growing: seven hundred and fifty from the Norwegian Post Company. Three thousand people did the shorter route, and another two thousand tried the 10 km course. High-profile Run in the Olympic City of Lillehammer.

588 LOOC, which helped the NOC organ- Each of the thirty-four areas organizing ize the event, made the most of the occa- the Run did so slightly differently, in the sion by handing out scholarships to the way that would best meet local needs. national skiing, skating, biathlon, ice “There was fantastic community support in hockey and bob federations to help them some areas. Certainly many Olympic ath- in their preparations for the 17th Winter letes participated on the day.” Some child- Games. Edward Dahl and Sigrid Renna, last ren had the chance to try out some Olym- year’s winners over the longer distance, pic sports before attempting the Run. repeated their success and were presented with special Viking helmet trophies.

The Run was well covered by the media and a 25 minute programme was shown on national television. The date has already been fixed for the 1992 edition - June 21 st.

NEW ZEALAND

15,000 Runners Across the country, 2Oth, 21st June, 24th June Participation in the Olympic Day Run in New Zealand almost doubled in 1991 as Off to a champion start in The around fifteen thousand people partici- Netherlands with Mr Anton pated across the country. The objectives Geesink, IOC member, firing the were to increase and improve participation gun. in school-organized Olympic Day Runs and to create an awareness in those participants of Olympism and the Olympic Movement NETHERLANDS

This year’s Run was particularly suc- 1,200 Runners cessful. “We reached out to 15,000 young Slagharen, June 22nd New Zealanders and touched them with The fourth Olympic Day Run in The the concept of Olympism. The most excit- Netherlands was again held at the “Pony- ing part of all this is that while the weather park” Sports and Recreation Centre in is not perfect for this event in this part of Slagharen. Organized by the NOC’s Com- the world, the concept is one that many mission for the Olympic Movement and can relate to...” Indeed, demand for the the Royal Federation of Physical Education NOC’s organizational kit organizing the Teachers, the event attracted participants Run, aimed at teachers of 5-13-year olds, from primary and secondary schools and a outstripped supply. This resource manual special group of judokas, encouraged as came complete with copies of the Olympic usual by the presence of the famous 1964 oath and symbols. Tapes of the Olympic Olympic judo champion and IOC member hymn were available on request... Mr Anton Geesink.

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Mr Francisco Elizalde, IOC PERU member in the , 1,504 participants encourages participants in . in all activities June 15th to 23rd

PHILIPPINES

10,000 participants (Manila) Manila, Cebu, Davao, Cagavan de Oro, Bacolod, Iloilo, Surigao, September 22nd For the past five years, the Olympic Day Run has been held in Manila. This year, as participants joined hands at the starting line in the capital, led by Mr Francisco Elizalde, IOC member and Mr Jose Sering, NOC President, another six cities were simul- taneously staging the event. Runners were met at the finish line by Kiko Labuyo, mas- cot of the XVI South East , which took place in November in Manila. Plans are already afoot to get even more cities fun-running for Olympic year in 1992.

Rings of inspiration, Peru.

Olympic Week in Peru included a whole range of sports and cultural activities. As well as the Olympic Run, which had a PORTUGAL course for children as well as one for adults, there were other sports events for 300 Runners the mentally and physically disabled, a Funchal, 16th June children’s drawing and painting competi- Organized by the NOC and the Madeira tion, a lecture on the philosophy of Olymp- Sports Association, the usual open Run was ism and, adding local tradition to the inter- held, plus another for school teams, which national Olympic celebrations, a 30km received a lot of help from the local Coca- “Chasquis” relay race, in which athletes ran Cola representatives. A total of over two as Inca messengers, in costumes decorated hundred and fifty people managed to fin- for the occasion with the Olympic rings. ish.

590 Students of the Olympic Centre in Salinas (PUR).

PUERTO RICO

100 Runners Salinas, 29th October Students of the sports technical school of the Albergue Olimpico (Olympic Lodge) took part in the 2km Olympic Day Run, held in the grounds of the institute.

ROMANIA

1,000 Runners Constanta, June 23rd The fifth Olympic Day Run in Romania was again held in Constanta, along a route through the streets of the port that has become known as “Olympic Boulevard”. Among the participants, flagged off by Rear Admiral Eugeniu Dumitrescu, a former top athlete himself, were Anton lonescu, Sigis- mund Batos, Dumitru Tilmaciu and Ferndi- nand Moscovici, famous athletes in the past, average age now 76, and youngsters of ten and twelve like Ancuta Chelaru and Cezar Stefanescu. Not forgetting Ruva Bria, the national marathon champion, who was the first woman across the line. Present on the occasion was Mrs Lia Manoliu, NOC President and Mr Alexandru Mogos, Secre- tary-General.

Scene from the Run in Funchal, Madeira (POR).

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ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES EL SALVADOR

Approx. 800 Runners 23rd June Kingstown, 23rd June The Olympic Day Run on 23rd June was The fourth Run in St Vincent and the Gren- the finale to a whole week of celebration adines was the climax to a week of activit- sports activities organized by the NOC in ies celebrating Olympic Day. These conjunction with the national sports feder- included radio and TV programmes, a ations : taekwondo, gymnastics, judo, table street fair and a visit by the NOC board to tennis, fencing, bodybuilding, mounta- a school for children with special needs to ineering, chess... present a cheque to help with participation at the “Special Olympics” in Minneapolis (USA) in July.

AMERICAN SAMOA

300 Runners Utulei, June Smiles in American Samoa. Fun was had by all who took part in the Run, organized by the NOC with the American Samoa Track and Field Associa- tion over a 1Okm course that began and finished at Utulei beach. It was flagged off at 6am by High Chief Sua Fanene, special assistant to the governor,

The NOC hopes to increase the num- ber of participants next year by holding the event in the last week of term before the school summer holidavs.

SENEGAL

400 Runners Dakar, 30th June All ages were catered for in the Olympic Day Run with different length routes starting from five different points in the capital. Mr Sidate Niane, NOC Vice-President, was present, as well as Sheikh Maguette Ndiaye, Secretary-

592 A little later on in the Run in Dakar (SEN).

General and other committee members, together with Mr Alioune Sow, treasurer of the national athletics federation and Prof. Start in the Seychelles. Mamadou Ndoye, President of the National Sports Medicine Association.

SEYCHELLES

100 Runners Victoria, 7th July Three Fun Runs were organized by the NOC, in collaboration with the National Sports Council, with participants pacing themselves over a choice of 2, 5 and 10km routes, which all finished up at the capital’s Freedom Square.

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Runners gather in the stadium ir Freetown.

few more participants as they went along from amongst the spectators lining the streets. Certificates were distributed by Mr Thomas Hope, NOC President. The NOC SIERRA LEONE Secretary-General, Mr Kamara, hopes that the Run can be extended to other towns Freetown, 6th July throughout the country and become a truly This was a run with two different routes national event. through the capital, both finishing in the Siaka Stevens Stadium. There was much singing by the joggers, who picked up a Waves from Khartoum (SUD).

SUDAN

8,000 Runners Khartoum, June 28th The Run kicked off the “Khartoum Olympic Sports Week”, organized by the NOC with the patronage of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Quite a few members of the gov- ernment joined in the 3km race, some of them completing the whole course, provid- ing good publicity for an event which was broadcast on national television. Over the next week, the capital was treated to a feast of finals in different sports: archery, basketball, boxing, cycling, football, gym- nastics, handball, judo, karate, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, weightlifting, yachting... The NOC is now undertaking the “Sudan Olympic Sports Week”.

594 The President of , centre, addresses the Olympic Day Runners. SRI LANKA

1567 Runners Kamburupitiya, 23rd June The President of Sri Lanka, Mr Premadasa shares his birthday with the IOC and came to flag off the runners in Kamburupitiya, in the southern region of Matara. Just as last year, the Run was held in conjunction with the opening ceremony of the thirteenth anniversary of the Village Reawakening Movement. “What was significant in this year’s Run was that it was held in an area which is still untouched by modern deve- lopment. The enthusiasm with which the people of the area participated augurs well for the development of sports in the area.”

Waiting for the start in Östersund (SWE).

SWEDEN

225 Runners Ostersund, June 15th The Olympic Day Run in Sweden was held in Östersund, which was a candidate for the 1998 Winter Games, on the day of the vote in Birmingham. Seventy-five teams, with three runners in each, competed in a 10km relay race, which was divided into three categories : families (mother, father and child), businesses and open. The event - started by Emil Zatopek, the great Cze- choslovak long-distance runner - was a great success despite disappointment about the result of the vote. Indeed, many televi- sion viewers of the announcement cerem- ony in Birmingham will remember that banner held by Runners in Östersund swiftly congratulating Nagano as the essence of Olympic sportsmanship. 595 NATIONAL COMMITTEES

Children’s run in Zurich (SUI).

SWITZERLAND CHAD

550 Runners 400 Runners Zurich, June 19th 22nd June The Olympic Day Run was held in con- The first Olympic Day Run in Chad last junction with the Forchlauf Race organized year attracted a hundred and fifty Runners. by the Zurich Academic Sports Federation. A success that the NOC was keen to build There was an afternoon edition for child- upon. The NOC was pleased that its suc- ren, in which a hundred and fifty took part cess in 1990 and its efforts this year pro- and an evening one for adults, which duced a two-to-three fold large increase in attracted four hundred participants. The turnout. next Run is already planned for 24th June next year. Good turnout in Chad.

CZECHOSLOVAKIA

15,000 Runners Prague, Bratislava, Karlovy Vary, Chrudim, Zlin, Usti nad Labem, Kosice, Lomnice nad Popelkou, Ostrava, Banska Bystrica, Ceske Budejovice, Trnava, Liberec. The huge turnout this year is due to the large scope of organization : thirteen Olym- pic Day Runs were held in Czechoslovakia, all editions beginning simultaneously at 5pm. There as starters were some of the country’s most famous Olympic athletes, Emil Zatopek, triple 5,00Om, 10,000m and marathon champion in 1952, Ludvik

596 Danek, who won silver, and gold in the discus from 1964 to ‘72 and Josef Nemec, bronze medallist in boxing in ‘60. There was live radio broadcasting of the event from various venues.

TONGA

June 29th The Olympic Day Run was the first event in the Heilala Festival, the week-long celebra- tion in honour of King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV, which includes many sports events. His Majesty’s three grandchildren, Princess Lat- ufuipeka, Prince ‘Aho’eitu and Prince ‘Unuaki’o Tonga started the race off on their bicycles and presented the prizes at the finish. The event was broadcast live.

Schoolchildren in Czechoslovakia put their best foot forward.

Princely handshake after the Heilala Fun Run in Tonga.

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began in Tunis on May 19th with the raising of the Olympic flag in a ceremony presided over by Mr Slaheddine Baly, NOC Presi- dent. Mr Mohamed Said, Minister of Youth and Childhood, welcomed the presence on such an occasion of Mr Mohamed Salah Mansouri, president of the Algerian NOC and Mohamed Ben Ammar, Vice-President of the Moroccan NOC, “which help conso- lidate sports co-operation links in the Maghreb”. Similar ceremonies took place in all the governorates.

The NOC is trying to make Olympic Day truly national by decentralizing cele- brations. A sports programme was organ- ized in Mateur and Monastir as well as Tunis, for which many sports federations organized regional or national level competitions. In addition, non-stop tourna- The 1976 Olympic 700 m ments in sports such as handball, table ten- champion, Mr Hasely Crawford, nis, bowling and pétanque were held presents the certificate to a throughout the country. Runner in Port-of-Spain.

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Port-of-Spain, 23rd June The third Olympic Day Run in Trinidad and Tobago was the culmination of a week of sports activities in track and field, hockey and swimming. Held in the Queens Park Savannah in the capital, the Run was started off by Mr Alexander Chapman, NOC President, who, with Mr Hasely Crawford, 1976 Olympic 100m champion, presented the IOC certificates at the finish line.

TUNISIA

May 19th : Olympic Day Tunis The first Olympic Medical Day, a round The Olympic Rings are hoisted in table discussion on doping, prefaced the Tunis. Olympic Day celebrations proper, which

598 Runners in (left).

URUGUAY

3,000 participants in the Sports Festival Fray Bentos, July 7th “There was almost no-one from Fray Ben- tos, of whatever age who did not take part in this sports festival either actively or as a spectator.” As well as the Run itself and a cycling race, in the street there were dis- plays of handball, minibasketball, tennis and volleyball and, on the beach, chess, golf, karate and table tennis. Proceedings

They’re off! Fray Bentos (URU). TURKEY

2,000 Runners began with a torch relay through the streets , Bursa, Istanbul, Izmir, 16th June and the lighting of a flame, and finished in Participation for the fifth Olympic Day Run the evening with a magnificent skating dis- in Turkey,held in four cities, was limited to play. A first for Fray Bentos - the Run had 2,000 people, who ran in seven different previously been held in Artigas, Durazno categories: over courses ranging from and Montevideo - and a success for the 3,000 to 8,000m. The event was claimed a NOC whose aim is to take sport out of its great success, and well covered by televi- usual habitat into the street and the main sion and local papers. square. 599 NATIONAL COMMITTEES

Sea of eager faces in , .

VIRGIN ISLANDS

152 Runners St Croix, June 9th, St Thomas, June 10th Ninety-two out of a hundred and two run- ners who lined up at the start in St Croix - the tip of the pier in Frederiksted - managed to complete the picturesque two- mile Olympic Day Run which was held in an festive atmosphere full of music and banners. The NOC set an active example with Mr Hans Lawetr, NOC Secretary-Cen- eral and Mr Angel Morales, NOC Vice-Pre- sident, amongst the participants, which also included Mr Ronald Russell, president of the national track and field association.

Sunny sfart in St Croix.

YEMEN

9,916 participants in Run and cycling event Sana’a, July 15th The NOC, in co-operation with the ZAIRE national athletic federation, organized three Runs in Sana’a, 2, 5 and I0km for children, 135 Runners teenagers and men respectively. There Kinshasa, 7th July were also two 4km and 5km Runs courses The 10km Run through the capital, organ- for disabled athletes, in which 112 people ized by the NOC with the technical help of took part, as well as a 40km bike race from the Kinshasha League of Athletics, was Amran, organized by the national cycling popular with men and women of all ages. federation, which attracted another hun- Messrs Rudahunga Ntizimira, NOC Secre- dred people. tary-General, and N’Tinu Kivuvu, NOC Techical Director, gave addresses before Messrs Mohamed Ahmed Al Kabab and after the Run to explain to all those and Hussein Al Lisani, NOC President and who took part the meaning of the annual Secretary-General, presented the prizes. Olympic Day celebrations. 600 ZAMBIA

862 runners 28th July, Lusaka For the first time, the Zambian NOC suc- ceeded in joining the Olympic family to celebrate Olympic Day, even if a technical hitch delayed the actual run until 28th July.

The 862 primary and secondary A first for the Run in Zambia. school children taking part assembled in front of the Civic Centre in Lusaka to await the signal to start given by Mr Ben Zulu, the Minister for Youth and Sports. The 10 km run aroused great enthusiasm among runners and organizers alike, and the ZIMBABWE experience is certain to be repeated next year in several towns like Kitwe, Ndola, 136 Runners Copperbelt and Livingstone, the tourist Harare, 7th July capital of the country, which have all Men and women of all ages, including a expressed interest. mix of athletes from different sports disci- plines, took part in the second Olympic Day Fun Run in Harare, which followed a 6 km course through the city to finish up at the National Sports Stadium. An up-and- coming distance runner, Tendai Chimusasa, was easily first to finish in a time of 23 minutes 55 seconds.

Souvenir photo, Harare.

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