The spirit of the Olympic movement was on display in Windhoek as athletes, coaches, parents, and sports administrators gathered to celebrate Olympic Day 2026.

The annual event promotes the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect while encouraging participation in sport and healthy living.

The celebration attracted participants from various sporting codes and communities, providing a platform for athletes to engage, learn, and participate in sporting activities.

The marketing and public relations officer of the Namibia Sport Commission Givean Samulandela said Olympic Day plays a role in creating opportunities for federations and athletes to participate and develop.

"The Sport Commission plays a critical role on Olympic Day because we created a level ground to ensure that all our sport federations have equal access to participate or to host events that they want to host. Specific to Olympic Day is that we register the Olympic Federation, and then we give the Olympic committee leeway to host events like this. And I mean, look at this. It's beautiful. Kids come from as far away as Grootfontein to participate in Olympic Day. From the commission side, we are grateful to the National Olympic Committee for such an amazing event."

Observed annually by the International Olympic Committee and its partners around the world, Olympic Day is about more than competition.

NNOC President Ndeulipula Hamutumwa said the day brings together athletes, coaches, parents, federations, and sponsors to celebrate sport as a way of life and its contribution to society.

"You know, on the 25th of June each year, the International Olympic Committee, together with the Olympic family, celebrate what we call Olympic Day. The day brings together stakeholders around our communities, that is, the national federation, the athletes, the parents, the coaches, and also the sponsors, to celebrate this unique day, a day where we look at sport more than just an activity but a way of life. You know, sport has become a global movement that has no language barriers. And therefore, on this day, all we want is to give the athletes an opportunity to be human, to enjoy themselves, and to also appreciate the Olympic values, that is, friendship, respect, and excellence. And this is really a joyful day where we just want to celebrate sport and to appreciate what sport does to humanity and what sport does to the advancement of globalization. And that's really why we are here."

The celebration also served as an opportunity to encourage young Namibians who hope to follow in the footsteps of the country's athletes.

According to the Namibia National Olympic Committee, success in sport requires discipline, commitment, and sacrifice, while increased support for sport is creating opportunities for athletes across the country.

"All I want is that every moment counts; discipline is very important, and teamwork is very important. They need to put in a lot of effort, a lot of sacrifice, and a lot of commitment, because every step, every success, starts with one journey. And also be encouraged by the fact that now that sport has been prioritised by the Namibian government, there are enough opportunities, enough resources that come with that recognition. And therefore, athletes have the opportunity to make something out of their lives, to make a career out of sport, and also to build their future by embracing sport as a culture, as a way of life, as a movement. And therefore, my encouragement to the athletes is really to remain focused, disciplined, and committed in the course."

For some athletes, that journey is already taking shape.

Among them is Chaippini Boxing Club's Pieter Kotze, who is preparing to represent Namibia at the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

Kotze said preparations are underway, with recent training camps and sparring sessions helping him and his team prepare for the competition.

"As I can say, I'm very excited. I think our team and I are practicing very hard. Two weeks ago, we were in Johannesburg for a training camp. There we did a lot of things. We had excellent sparring. So I think it's a good thing. Now we just keep training hard and look to the future."

As Olympic Day celebrations continue around the world, Namibia's sporting fraternity hopes more young people will embrace sport as a pathway to personal growth, opportunity, and future success.