New venue, New Olympic style format, and an opportunity to spend quality time with the family and at the same time promote a healthy and active lifestyle for every citizen of T&T . That's the theme of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) 2011 Olympic day celebrations. T&T will join the rest of the global Olympic Movement in celebrating Olympic day and Olympism on Thursday 23 June. However the TTOC's actual day of activities will take place on Saturday 25 June.
This year the TTOC adopted a different approach to the management of the commemorative activity following a decision by the national Olympic committee's executive to allow the UWI/FIFA/CIES Post Graduate Diploma in Sports Management to manage the event as part of the NOCs collaboration with the University.
Olympic Day is an annual worldwide event held to celebrate the establishment of International Olympic Committee (IOC) whilst providing a medium for the promotion and education of Olympic values.
The Post Graduate students have proposed some new ideas that the TTOC have unanimously agreed to adopt including a change of venue from King George V Park in Port.of. Spain to Chaguaramas. The Chaguaramas location offers appropriate land space, aesthetics and the opportunity to host a wide array of activities.
In agreeing to permit the TTOC's event to be held in the Western peninsula. Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA) officials said that the CDA shares similar values and vision with the TTOC, the Olympic Movement and the Olympic Day.
Both the TTOC and the CDA consider the promotion of family oriented sporting activities, respect for and appreciation of the natural environment and a greater awareness of health and wellness as important attributes in the development of a healthy and crime free T&T .
TTOC president Michael Romany expressed his organisation's confidence that Chaguaramas could prove to be the ideal location for Olympic type activities .
"This year's Olympic day event can be used by both the TTOC, IOC ,Olympic Solidarity and the CDA to build the foundation for future partnerships for sports, health and family activities. We (TTOC) are also delighted to continue to partner with UWI and UTT in an ongoing effort to afford students pursuing sports related study practical experience and internships." added Romany
Romany said that a benefit of having the post graduate students involved is that the students bring a different perspective.
" Over the years we have managed the event in house. But it is always beneficial to inject new perspectives and ideas. The Olympic day run and week is a major event on the Olympic calender. It is therefore important that we use the potential of the event as a key driver of the Olympic message to the fullest. It is a wonderful platform to present the Olympic values. It is also an exciting opportunity for the students to learn more about the TTOC and the Olympic movement while at the same time getting the opportunity to develop,implement and execute their ideas and plan as part of their diploma project." said Romany
Olympic day activities will include:
A 5K Run
Badminton
Volleyball
Cycle / Wheel Chair Races
Dance ( Ballroom)
Football
Mini Golf / Snagg Golf
Mini Hockey
Paralympics
Target Archery
Karate
Kayak
Tag Bee
Aerobics
Dragon Boat Races
Basket Ball
Face Painting
Bouncy Castle
All registered participants and sponsors will receive a certificate of participation.