With physical inactivity continuing to rise across the world, IOC President Kirsty Coventry has used Olympic Day to encourage people everywhere to take the first step towards a more active life through the IOC’s global Let’s Move campaign.

This year’s theme – “You Can Do This” – is aimed particularly at young people, encouraging them to overcome self-doubt and discover the physical, mental and social benefits of movement.

Turning Self-Doubt into Self-Belief

At the heart of the campaign is a simple idea: getting active does not require elite sporting ability, expensive equipment or perfect conditions. It starts with a single step.

In a video message released ahead of Olympic Day, Coventry highlighted the wider value of sport and physical activity.

“Sport moves us. Not just our bodies, but our confidence. Our mindset. And the way we connect with each other. When we move, we feel better – it keeps our mind and body strong and healthy. And when we move together, we lift each other up.”

The campaign seeks to address one of the most common barriers to participation: a lack of confidence. Research cited by the IOC suggests that self-doubt remains a significant obstacle preventing many young people from becoming more physically active.

Coventry believes the solution begins with making movement feel accessible to everyone.

“The hardest step is always the first one. Self-doubt can hold us back. It can make us think we’re not ready. But you are. You can do this.”

A Growing Global Health Challenge

The campaign arrives at a time when concerns about physical inactivity are growing worldwide.

According to data referenced by the IOC and the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly one-third of adults fail to meet recommended activity levels, while four out of five young people do not achieve daily physical activity guidelines. These figures represent one of the most significant public health challenges facing communities around the world.

The IOC launched Let’s Move in partnership with the WHO in 2022 in response to these challenges. What began as an Olympic Day initiative has since evolved into a year-round global participation campaign, using athlete-led content, community events and practical resources to encourage people to become more active.

Research continues to show that even short periods of movement can improve mood, increase energy levels and strengthen resilience, while participation in sport can help develop communication skills, confidence and social connection.

Movement for Everyone

A central theme of this year’s campaign is inclusivity. The IOC is keen to reinforce that there is no single way to participate in sport or physical activity.

Whether it is walking, cycling, running, dancing or playing sport with friends, the objective is simply to get moving.

As Coventry explained:

“There is no right way to start. No matter who you are, where you come from or how you choose to move – this is for you.”

Reflecting on Olympic Day celebrations taking place around the world, she also encouraged people to make movement part of everyday life.

“On Olympic Day, all around the world, in parks, schools and streets, people are coming together to move. This is happening everywhere. So join in and be a part of it – not just on Olympic Day, but every day. Let’s move together and help each other take that first step.”

That message aligns closely with growing efforts across the sports sector to reduce barriers to participation and create more inclusive opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

A Global Olympic Celebration

Olympic Day 2026 is being celebrated across the Olympic Movement, with National Olympic Committees, International Federations and local organisers hosting events and activities in communities around the world.

Worldwide Olympic Partners, including Alibaba, Allianz, Deloitte, JPMorgan Chase and TCL, are also supporting initiatives designed to inspire participation through the Olympism365 programme, while community champions across the network continue to create opportunities for grassroots engagement and social impact.

The scale of the celebrations demonstrates the unique ability of sport to bring people together around a common purpose and shared experience.

Beyond One Day

Olympic Day has always celebrated the power of sport. In 2026, it also serves as a reminder that participation remains one of the greatest opportunities – and challenges – facing the global sports sector.

While elite sport continues to capture headlines, the IOC’s Let’s Move campaign focuses on a more fundamental question: how do we encourage more people to take part in physical activity in the first place? With four out of five young people worldwide still failing to meet recommended activity levels, the challenge is no longer one of awareness but of action.

That message resonates far beyond Olympic Day. Across governments, sports federations and community organisations, increasing participation is increasingly being recognised as a critical contributor to public health, social connection and individual wellbeing. The first step may be a simple one, but multiplied across communities around the world, it has the potential to create lasting change.

For the Olympic Movement, the success of Olympic Day 2026 will not ultimately be measured by the number of events organised or social media impressions generated. It will be measured by how many people feel inspired to move, to participate and to discover the confidence that sport can help unlock. In that sense, Olympic Day is not simply a celebration of sport’s past, but an investment in its future.