Jeonbuk State, Korea: Ahead of Olympic Day on June 23, Jeonbuk State hosted the “Jeonbuk Sports Eco-Plogging*” event on the 19th around the Hamyeol Olympic Sports Center in Iksan.

Plogging is a portmanteau of the Swedish phrase ‘plocka upp’ (to pick up) and ‘jogging.’ It refers to the eco-friendly activity of picking up litter while jogging, which has recently gained global popularity. The event was organized to highlight “Sustainability,” a core value emphasized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It aims to encourage a healthy

lifestyle through exercise while protecting the environment, ultimately spreading an eco-friendly sports culture throughout the province. The event brought together around 70 participants, including officials from the sports departments of Jeonbuk State and its 14 municipalities, the Jeonbuk State Sports Council, the Iksan City Management Corporation, and the Olympic Bid Promotion Supporters. Together, they cleaned up the Hamyeol Olympic Sports Center and the surrounding Hamyeol town area, picking up discarded litter.

This year’s event aligned with the IOC’s “Let’s Move” campaign slogan, “YOU CAN DO THIS,” which delivers a message that anyone can easily participate in sports and physical activities. The campaign encourages people to improve their health and stay active through small, daily movements. In line with this philosophy, participants kicked off the event by practicing traditional Korean stretching exercises (Gukmin Chejo) and learning proper jogging techniques. After touring the Hamyeol Olympic Sports Center*, they read a joint declaration pledging to prioritize the environment in all sports-related administration.

* Hamyeol Olympic Sports Center: As a legacy facility of the 1988 Seoul Olympics that still bears the Olympic rings and the Seoul 1988 logo, the center was established in 2000 with support from the National Sports Promotion Fund. Since then, it has served as a vital community sports hub, promoting the health of residents in the northern region of Iksan.

The declaration reflects a commitment to enhancing the health and happiness of citizens while leaving a clean environment for future generations. Jeonbuk’s

sports officials pledged to adopt eco-friendly materials and energy-saving methods when constructing and operating sports facilities. They also vowed to expand eco-friendly programs that minimize environmental damage during marine, water, and mountain leisure sports, and committed to realizing “Zero-Waste Jeonbuk Sports Events” by reducing waste during competitions.

“We hope this event, organized to mark Olympic Day, serves as an opportunity to promote health through exercise while protecting the environment,” said Yoo Hee-sook, Director General of the 2036 Olympics Bid Department. “Moving forward, we will continue to implement various policies and programs to spread an eco-friendly sports culture and elevate Jeonbuk’s brand value as an international sports city.“

Meanwhile, Olympic Day is an international celebration established in 1948 to commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic Games and the founding of the IOC. Every year on June 23, various events are held worldwide to encourage sports participation and spread Olympic values.