Second Olympic Sports Quiz Planned For June
June 23rd has been set aside by the International Olympic Committee [IOC], as an annual Olympic Day for all of its member countries to celebrate Olympism in meaningful ways.
Initially, for some years, the day was identified to all through the staging of the Olympic Day Run – which was a low key casual non-competitive walk/stroll/jog/run as a means of bringing communities together in a casual event that celebrated Olympism without the stringently competitive and patriotic fervor of the Olympic Games, but rather a fun event in which the whole community could participate and enjoy.
In later years, meaningful variation, to commemorate the day, was initiated by different countries, and in addition, there is currently a “spreading” of activities prior to, and after Olympic Day.
It is the only annual worldwide event of the Olympic Movement which sees the majority of 205 National Olympic Committees on the five continents taking advantage of this occasion to share the Olympic spirit – an opportunity to come together and promote Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect.
A BOA spokesperson said, “Here at home, the Bermuda Olympic Association initially enjoyed some success in it’s staging of Olympic Day Runs, even to the point of gaining worldwide recognition for one of the events by being featured on the outside front cover of a key Olympic Magazine.
“However, with the ever increasingly crowded running and walking calendar, we – like others – continue to promote unique ways of celebrating the occasion and bringing awareness to Bermuda, about Sport and the Olympic Movement.
“Later In the year, we will be making a presentation which will outline all of the Olympic Week activities that the Bermuda Olympic Association is planning. However, at this time we wish to concentrate our publicity for the second Olympic Sports Quiz that has been planned.
“In that regard, this event will be an opportunity to spread knowledge throughout the community about the history of Bermuda’s sport history – both at home and abroad.
“The exciting quiz contest will test the knowledge of participants about Bermuda’s sport heroes, as well as those who pioneered the development of individual sports in Bermuda from as early as the 1700s.
“Beginning in the week of Olympic Day – which this year falls on a Sunday – teams will battle through preliminary rounds of the contest that will culminate in a grand gala final at the Hamilton Princess Hotel on Saturday June 29, 2013.”
Mr. Anthony Roberts said, “One of the excitements I have had over the past two years is first of all to introduce last year, at the request of the BOA, the Olympic Quiz. As a result of the success, it has now led into what will now become an annual Sports Quiz.
“There are lots of people around Bermuda who have facts and information about our rich sport history that ought to be made known. How we see this Sports Quiz developing and emerging over the years – first of all it offers us an opportunity to consolidate all of the sports information in a single repository.
“The development of the questions which you have in front of you in the booklet from that perspective – we want to teach; we want to inform; we want to acquaint Bermudians, others and our international guests with our rich sport history. We want to present factual information on the origins and development of sport in Bermuda.
“You will see that this is captured in the first category. We want to highlight significant achievements and contributions of sports persons in regional, international and world competitions. We want to present a document that can be used in schools as a significant resource for sport and community development.
“And we also want to demonstrate how sport has contributed significantly to the development of Bermuda and her people and provide role modeling for present and future generations to emulate. Those are the driving principles under which I have become quite excited about this project.
“I want to thank the BOA for offering the opportunity for this to happen. They are responsible for 26 of the 36 Governing Sport Bodies in Bermuda.”
The spokesperson continued, “The BOA has put into place an attractive prize structure to encourage teams to enter the competition. The top prizes will naturally go to the team of five who win the competition.
“We have already established that five Travel vouchers for round trip travel to London; additional prizes are currently being confirmed. A suitable engraved plaque will also be awarded to each team member.
“Second, third & fourth team winners will receive similar prizes – obviously of a proportionally lesser nature. Additionally, all individuals who are able to show perfect score in the finals, will also receive a special prize.
“Every participant in the quiz will receive a Certificate of Participation. This represents a minimum prize structure as negotiations continue to increase the rewards.”
