Olympism is a philosophy of life that combines the qualities of body, will, and mind into a balanced whole. By blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to promote a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example, and respect for universal, fundamental ethical principles.
The Olympic Movement aims to contribute to a peaceful and better world by educating young people through sport, without any form of discrimination and in the spirit of Olympism: with mutual understanding in a spirit of friendship, solidarity, and fair play.
The fundamental principles and essential values of Olympism are described in the Olympic Charter. It also serves as the statutes of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The Charter outlines the rights and obligations of the IOC, the international sports federations, and the National Olympic Committees (NOCs), the main representatives of the Olympic Movement. Finally, the organizing committees for the Olympic Games must also comply with the provisions of the Olympic Charter.
The rights and freedoms set out in the Olympic Charter apply to everyone, without any form of discrimination based on race, color, gender, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, or other status.
On Olympic Day, held annually on June 23, the IOC, together with National Olympic Committees worldwide, highlights the Olympic values.