New Delhi: Marking Olympic Day on June 23, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), in partnership with the Abhinav Bindra Foundation and Reliance Foundation, has launched the latest edition of its nationwide sports participation campaign, ‘You Can Do This! Let’s Move’, aimed at encouraging young people across India to become more physically active and discover the transformative power of sport.
The campaign is part of the IOC’s global Let’s Move initiative, which promotes year-round participation in physical activity through the inspiration of the Olympic Movement. Building on the success of previous editions that have already engaged over 20 million people across India, this year’s campaign will feature sporting events, educational activities and digital engagement programmes designed to motivate young people to take their first step towards an active lifestyle.
The initiative comes at a time when physical inactivity remains a growing concern. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 74 per cent of Indian children and adolescents aged 11-17 and 49 per cent of adults do not achieve recommended activity levels necessary for good health.
Recognising that self-doubt often prevents young people from participating in sports, this year’s campaign centres around the message “You Can Do This”, encouraging youth to overcome hesitation and embrace movement, regardless of their experience or ability level.
Speaking on the initiative, Abhinav Bindra, India’s first individual Olympic gold medallist, said: “The Olympic Values Education Programme, together with the Let’s Move campaign, has already empowered millions of young people in India through sport. This continues with an important message to the next generation: you can do this, you are capable, you are ready to make your moves. The benefits of sport go far beyond physical health; it’s vital for personal development and helps build self-belief.”
As part of the programme’s expansion, the Abhinav Bindra Foundation, in collaboration with the IOC and state governments, will extend activities to Odisha, Assam, Chandigarh, Telangana and Meghalaya. Students will participate in sports sessions, yoga and Olympic values-based educational activities, with organisers aiming to reach nearly four million students during the campaign.
The Reliance Foundation is also scaling up its efforts through the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP). Since 2024, the programme has reached more than 3.38 lakh students across 464 schools and Anganwadis in 16 states. This year, the Foundation plans to engage around 1,800 Anganwadis and approximately 44,000 children through sports, movement-based learning and community activities centred on the Olympic Day celebrations.
Indian hurdler Jyothi Yarraji, the first Indian woman to compete in the 100m hurdles at the Olympic Games, said: “Growing up, sport gave me so much in life—physical health, a strong community and the confidence to believe in myself. It taught me resilience, helped me overcome self-doubt and shaped the person I am today. I hope more young people discover that they are capable of far more than they imagine. Sometimes all it takes is that first step.”
Adding a community dimension to the celebrations, running clubs across the country will host symbolic runs lasting 20 minutes and 28 seconds, a tribute to the upcoming Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The initiative also seeks to generate excitement around cricket’s return to the Olympic programme for the first time since 1900.
Launched globally in partnership with the WHO in 2023, Let’s Move has evolved from an Olympic Day initiative into a year-round campaign promoting physical activity, mental well-being and healthier lifestyles. Through collaborations with organisations such as the Abhinav Bindra Foundation and Reliance Foundation, the programme continues to inspire millions across India to move more and embrace the values of excellence, friendship and respect that define the Olympic Movement.