No fewer than 500 athletes on Saturday ran 5 kilometers road race to celebrate the 2024 world Olympic Day in Edo state.
The athletes included, men, women and youths and were led in the race by the Chairman of Oredo local government area, Dr. Tom Obaseki, and the Permanent Secretary of Edo State Sports Commission, Dr .Igbinosa Emmanuel.
Obaseki who was the special guest of the Olympians flagged off the
2024 Olympic Day Run at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin City, with legendary boxer, Isaac Ikhuoria, in attendance.
The Commission presented certificates of participation to the runners upon completion of the race.
The council boss, Obaseki delivered the goodwill message of International Olympic Committee ( IOC) president, Thomas Bach.
He expressed optimism that athletes at the Paris Olympic will inspire everyone with their achievements “and inspire the world by living our Olympic motto: Faster, Higher-Stronger-Strong together.”
Also the permanent secretary of Edo State sports Commission said: “the day is set aside by the IOC to celebrate sports men and women and to encourage mass participation in sports.
The Permanent Secretary who represented the chairman of the Commission, Mr. Yussuf Alli, said: “the IOC having recognised our nation membership, wrote to Nigeria and Edo State to participate in the exercise.
“This exercise has helped us to create the right awareness for fitness and also to bring people together because the essence of sports is coming together so that we can move forward and celebrate according to this year’s theme: Move and Celebrate.”
