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On Olympic Day, 23 June 2020, the International Olympic Committee and WHO together with the\u00a0United Nations launch a partnership to encourage individuals and communities around the world to be #<\/strong>HEALTHYTogether.<\/strong>\u00a0The three partners and Olympic athletes will spotlight the global collaboration needed to stay healthy and reduce the spread and impact of COVID-19.\u00a0<\/p>\n Olympic athletes will help deliver important public health information,\u00a0to\u00a0inspire\u00a0people to adopt or continue behaviours\u00a0that will curtail the pandemic and provide information that promotes physical and mental health. The partnership kicks off today with Olympians around the world showcasing various exercises to stay healthy during this time.\u00a0<\/p>\n A WHO survey showed that many people who had severe COVID-19 disease were already living with or at risk for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). The results emphasize the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle including being physically active, having a healthy diet, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol.<\/p>\n \u201cWe 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,\u201d said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, WHO.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Over the past six months, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every corner of the globe and every aspect of\u00a0people\u2018s\u00a0lives.\u00a0The world is looking for global institutions\u00a0to work together and\u00a0for leaders to deliver\u00a0reliable, credible\u00a0information from sources they trust. Olympic athletes are symbols of strength that can act as trusted messengers for this information.\u00a0<\/p>\n IOC President Thomas Bach<\/strong>\u00a0said, \u201cSport can save lives. We have seen over the last few months just how important sport and physical activity are for health and well-being. And 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.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Ant\u00f3nio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations<\/strong>, added\u00a0\u201cDuring this time of unprecedented challenges and change —\u00a0from the COVID-19 pandemic to the ongoing struggle for racial and social justice, to the climate crisis —\u00a0there has never been a greater need for global solidarity and hope. The Olympic movement\u00a0and its athletes\u00a0have\u00a0always brought out the best in humanity, and the United\u00a0Nations\u00a0is pleased to work with the International\u00a0Olympic\u00a0Committee\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0World\u00a0Health\u00a0Organization\u00a0in calling on people everywhere\u00a0to unite and be #HEALTHYTogether.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The global partnership will act locally, through the voices of Olympic athletes \u2013 voices that symbolize perseverance, dedication and endurance \u2013 qualities all individuals need during this public health challenge. WHO will work with athletes to bring tailored health messages to people who are living through various stages of the pandemic through digital platforms.\u00a0<\/p>\n As COVID-19 forces changes to our daily routines and lives \u2013 from how we interact with others to how we move and exercise \u2013 we need to pay attention to our own mental and physical health and help others who may need extra support. By working together, the aim of the partnership on Olympic Day and every day is to stay Healthy Together.<\/p>\n For more information, please visit\u00a0https:\/\/www.who.int\/campaigns\/connecting-the-world-to-combat-coronavirus\/healthytogether<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n