Covid-19: Olympians share messages to keep us #HEALTHYTogether

The International Olympic Committee and World Health Organsiation (WHO) together with the United Nations launched a partnership to encourage individuals and communities around the world to be #HealthyTogether.

The launch was announced on Olympic Day on June 23.

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The three partners and Olympic athletes will spotlight the global collaboration needed to stay healthy and reduce the spread and impact of Covid-19.
Olympic athletes will help deliver important public health information, to inspire people to adopt or continue behaviours that will curtail the pandemic and provide information that promotes physical and mental health.

The partnership launched recently with Olympians around the world showcasing various exercises to stay healthy during this time.

A WHO survey showed that many people who had severe Covid-19 disease were already living with or at risk for noncommunicable diseases.
The results emphasise the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle including being physically active and having a healthy diet.

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“We are pleased to partner with the International Olympic Committee to spread important health messages that will save lives. “Olympians will help us advocate for healthier populations to ensure that people are as resilient as our health systems must be to fight Covid-19,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of WHO.

“The world is looking for global institutions to work together and for leaders to deliver reliable, credible information from sources they trust.

“Olympic athletes are symbols of strength that can act as trusted messengers for this information.”

IOC President Thomas Bach said: “Sport can save lives. We have seen over the last few months just how important sport and physical activity are for health and well-being.

“Working together with the WHO and the United Nations we can take another step together. We will ask our Olympic athletes to help share the information and best practice that the world needs now.”

António Guterres, secretary general of the United Nations, said: “During this time of unprecedented challenges and change, from the Covid-19 pandemic to the ongoing struggle for racial and social justice, to the climate crisis, there has never been a greater need for global solidarity and hope.

“The Olympic movement and its athletes have always brought out the best in humanity, and the United Nations is pleased to work with the International Olympic Committee and the World Health Organization in calling on people everywhere to unite and be #HealthyTogether.”

The global partnership will act locally, through the voices of Olympic athletes.
WHO will work with athletes to bring tailored health messages to people who are living through various stages of the pandemic through digital platforms.

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