US celebrate first-ever joint Olympic & Paralympic Day

The US Olympic & Paralympic Committee announced that 23 June will be known as Olympic & Paralympic Day presented by Toyota, marking a change in the United States to include the values of the Paralympic Movement in the worldwide day of recognition. Participation will be highlighted by Team USA athletes, National Governing Bodies and community groups.

Known worldwide as Olympic Day, the USOPC worked in partnership with the International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee to recognise the day as Olympic & Paralympic Day in the United States.

The day celebrates fitness, well-being, sport culture and educational opportunities, while promoting the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect, and the Paralympic values of determination, inspiration, courage and equality.

“This is a monumental step to see the two movements join together to celebrate the value that sport brings to the world, no matter what your sport is, what your body looks like or how you play the game,” said Paralympic track and field gold medallist David Brown.

“It means the world to me to be able to share all that I have gained through sport with my community, and hopefully we inspire the next generation of Olympians and Paralympians along the way,” added Brown.

The historic day will be celebrated across Team USA’s social and digital channels. Content will include a live workout on TikTok with two-time Paralympic medallist Hunter Woodhall, and an Instagram Live Q&A with Olympic hopeful Michael Norman and two-time Paralympian Jarryd Wallace. Concurrent with the newly recognised Olympic & Paralympic Day, the Team USA social handles will further celebrate the inclusion of all athletes as the US Paralympics social accounts are merged into the Team USA accounts.

“The change made this year to include the Paralympic Movement is another important milestone in our ongoing efforts to elevate our Paralympic athletes and increase awareness for Paralympic sport in the US,” said USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland.

“Olympic & Paralympic Day joins together athletes and fans from around the world, embracing the unifying power of sport and the inclusivity that the movements bring.”

Toyota is an official partner of Team USA, the IOC and IPC, and has been supporting Olympic Day in the US since 2017.

“Thank you to the IOC, IPC and USOPC for their continued partnership as we collectively strive to elevate awareness of the Paralympics with the first-ever Olympic & Paralympic Day presented by Toyota,” said Ed Laukes, group vice president, Toyota Marketing, Toyota Motor North America. “We’re proud of the progress that has been made to advance the Paralympics in the US and we remain passionately committed to the Movement. We’re thrilled to celebrate the day with our NGB partners, Team Toyota athletes, Toyota team members, and the US Olympic and Paralympic family.”