UCundinamarca commemorates Olympic Day for the first time

On June 23, the University of Cundinamarca will celebrate Olympic Day for the first time as part of an agreement between our institution and the Colombian Olympic Committee. Professor Jorge Enrique Moreno, from the Sports Science and Physical Education program, is one of the organizers of the activities for this day at the Soacha campus, and we spoke with him about the expectations and the true meaning of this international commemoration.

UCundinamarca News: Why will Olympic Day be celebrated on June 23rd at the Soacha extension? And what is commemorated on Olympic Day?

Jorge MorenoEvery June 23rd, Olympic Day is celebrated, a date to extol the values, principles, and philosophy of sport and the spirit of the Modern Olympic Movement in each of the countries affiliated with the International Olympic Committee, such as Colombia. According to the Olympic Charter, the practice of sport is a human right: everyone should have the opportunity to practice sport without discrimination of any kind, within the Olympic spirit that demands mutual understanding, a spirit of friendship, solidarity, and fair play.

UCundinamarca News: What activities are planned for this date (or what activities can we expect to take place)?

Jorge MorenoIn the Sports Science program, the decision has been made that, through the chair of Olympism (which has been rethought and redefined) and the university outreach project called "Sports training schools: sport as a mediator of peace - pedagogical experiences with the community and educational institutions", students of the program and the sports community of the municipality of Soacha will be invited to participate in sports activities such as futsal tournament, 3 vs 3 basketball, Parkour, Ultimate, Cheerleading, Modern Dances among others.

UCundinamarca News: What processes have taken place within the Sports Science program to make it possible to commemorate Olympic Day?

Jorge MorenoWe have an agreement with the Colombian Olympic Committee so that students can complete their professional internships in the various institutions where there are processes of support for sports administration. This also allows them to complete professional internships in the area of sports training, where they are assigned to sports federations and leagues.

Thanks to this, the program is part of the Olympic Studies Center, where this year the national meeting was attended on May 18 and 19, to share the actions taken in the previous two years and to develop the general calendar of events of an investigative nature, systematization of the Olympic chair, studies of Diversity and Gender, and the Development Program to promote the movement and values of Olympism.

Through these mechanisms we have managed to make an impact on the community of children and young people who participate in sports schools, the Olympic playroom program and talks aimed at athletes in training processes of the municipal institutes of the department of Cundinamarca; reaching more than 200 people per semester.

UCundinamarca News: How is MEDIT reflected in this activity?

Jorge MorenoBasically, it can be said that the program embodies translocality, maintaining a presence in the municipalities of the department with its projects, programs, and courses. This means that we are committed to education for life, the individual, society, civic responsibility, democracy, nature, and freedom. The participation of both students and teachers fosters collaborative learning focused on projects that encompass cultural learning, disciplinary learning, and, of course, institutional learning.

UCundinamarca News: How can we stay informed about the schedule of activities for Olympic Day?

Jorge MorenoThe means of communication we are making available to learn about and participate in the celebration of Olympic Day are publications on institutional social networks, spaces designated by the administrative management of the Soacha headquarters, and invitations to sports leaders and artistic groups in the municipality.

More news from the Soacha Extension at the News Agency