Ukraine’s main multisport venue, NSC ‘Olympysky’ in Kyiv, hosted the celebration of annual Olympic Day on Saturday (June 4), featuring record participation of more than 5 000 sport lovers.

The Olympic Day party, jointly managed by Ukraine's NOC, nation's Ministry of Youth and Sport and Kyiv City Council and supported by McDonald's Ukraine, was a part of global annual IOC anniversary celebration held in 200 countries around the world.

Three dozens of nation's prominent Olympic athletes participated in the celebration focused on preparation for the global main sport event – 2016 Rio Olympics. Elite and amateur athletes were accompanied by celebrities who came to support Ukraine's Olympic team 2016 and join the run at the NSC 'Olympysky' track. Both Olympic athletes and show biz celebrities took thousands of selfies and autographs for the guests and participants of the Olympic Day.

At the opening ceremony, the Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Vyacheslav Kyrylenko said: "Today's event once again clearly confirms that Ukraine sport and healthy lifestyle has a great respect and love in Ukraine".

Sergey Bubka, NOC President, as well as IOC Executive Board member and IAAF Senior Vice President, opened the celebration saying, 'Olympic Day is absolutely unique global phenomenon which gives every person at the planet to share our universal Olympic values, being involved in sport and healthy lifestyle. I am happy and proud Ukraine to become a part of the Olympic Day every year organizing the celebrations all over the country. I would like to thank my colleagues from NOC team and regional departments who are doing great job at the backstage of the celebration, as well as athletes and friends of our movement who join our efforts to promote sport. This year's record participation proves we are at the right way'.

Ihor Zhdanov, Ukraine Minister of Youth and Sport, who shot the symbolic starting gun at the Olympic Day Run, added, 'This is a fantastic day for Ukraine's sport as we witness so many young people who came to join Olympic movement, ideas and spirit of Olympism'.

Olympic Day Run was not the only celebration's activity. The guests had a chance to sink into Brazilian culture, becoming a part of real Brazilian carnival and witnessing famous capoeira school workshop. Even more Olympic and non-Olympic sport workshops were available for the participants at the Olympic day.

'Olympic Day on the Road to Rio' in Kyiv launched celebrations in the cities and small towns all over the country during next month.