ISLAMABAD: These are far from normal times, primarily due to the prevailing Covid-19 situation. However, the international hockey community has pulled out all the stops when it comes to celebrating the greatest multi-sport show of them all.

Hockey players and hockey fans from across the world showed innovation, creativity and a determination to celebrate the annual International Olympic Committee (IOC) Olympic Day with a whole range of hockey-focused events and activities, said a press release issued by Federation of International Hockey (FIH).

Central to the hockey activities were the three themes of this years IOC campaign: #StayStrong, #StayHealthy and #StayActive.

All three - mental strength, healthy living and getting fit - are particularly pertinent to people across the globe right now, as just about everyone has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Pakistan, national team players past and present were encouraged to communicate with fans around the themes highlighted during Olympic Day. Using video clips, online discussions and written messages, the athletes demonstrated their stick and ball skills and shared their online fitness training tips.

Olympians were asked to write essays of up to 300 words about their own experiences of the Olympics.

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2020