Every year on 23 June, the world comes together to celebrate Olympic Day - and handball is no exception. From grassroots clinics to community games, the global handball family is proud to be part of a movement that transcends sport and inspires millions to get active, with 2026 seeing the Olympic Day coincide with the start of the 2026 IHF Beach Handball World Championships.

What Is Olympic Day?

Olympic Day commemorates a defining moment in sporting history: the founding of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on 23 June 1894 at the Sorbonne in Paris, where Pierre de Coubertin rallied the revival of the Ancient Olympic Games. The date was first celebrated as Olympic Day on 23 June 1948, when nine National Olympic Committees - including Portugal, Greece, Austria, Canada and Switzerland - organised events in their respective countries.

Today, Olympic Day has grown into a truly global celebration, with around five million people expected to take part in activities worldwide in 2026, reflecting the values of Solidarity, Inclusion and Sustainability that sit at the heart of the Olympic Movement.

This Year's Theme: 'You Can Do This. Let's Move'

The theme of Olympic Day 2026 is 'You Can Do This. Let's Move' - a message of empowerment aimed especially at young people. Developed by the IOC in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), the initiative confronts one of the biggest barriers to physical activity: self-doubt.

Research shows that over 81 per cent of young people fail to reach the daily activity levels recommended for optimum mental and physical health. The Let's Move campaign seeks to change that, reminding young people that feeling uncertain or imperfect when starting out is completely normal - and that the hardest step is simply the first one.

"Sport is for all of us. Whether you are an Olympian, part of the local community team, or run with friends for fun, we all begin at the same starting line," said IOC President Kirsty Coventry. "When our bodies start to move, our mindset does too. Confidence builds with each step, you start to believe in yourself, and together, we lift each other up."

How Handball Embodies the Olympic Day Spirit

Handball is, at its core, a sport built on movement, teamwork and inclusion, values that align perfectly with the Olympic Day message. On all over the continents, the sport reaches millions of young people who find confidence, friendship and belonging through the game.

Get Involved

Whether you are a player, coach, referee, volunteer or simply a fan, Olympic Day is your invitation to move. Organise a training session, head to your local club, or simply get active with friends and family on 23 June.

If you take part, share your handball Olympic Day moments on social media and tag @olympics using the hashtags #LetsMove and #OlympicDay — and show the world that handball is moving.