NOC Sec-Gen in Fun Run Opening: “Sport is more than Competition”

Iran NOC; Tehran: The ceremony was attended by Dr. Mahdi Alinejad, Secretary General of NOC Iran; H.E. Tamaki Tsukada, Ambassador of Japan to Iran; Mr. Jeans Zhou Jian, Media and Broadcasting Director of the Olympic Council of Asia; members of the NOC Executive Board; and more than 400 children aged 5 to 12.

In his remarks, Dr. Alinejad said: “I am very happy to be here today and to see all of you full of energy and smiles. Today is a special day, because we are now only one year away from the start of the Asian Games — the biggest sporting event of our continent, where athletes from across Asia come together not only to compete but also to build friendships and create lasting memories.” He added: “Today’s run may be short, but it carries a very big meaning. It shows that sport is not just for professional champions — it is for everyone: children, teenagers, families, and all those who want to live a healthy, joyful, and energetic life.”

The Secretary General emphasized the role of youth, stating: “You, dear children and young participants, are the future of our country’s sport. Perhaps today you ran only for fun, but these small steps can be the beginning of a great journey — one that may take you to the national team and perhaps even to the Asian Games or the Olympic Games. Every champion has started from moments like these. Beyond winning and losing, today’s run carries another important message: we want to show that sport is more than competition. It is a bridge for friendship, peace, and bringing hearts closer together — exactly what the Olympic Movement stands for.”

The event continued with various recreational activities and concluded with a mass Fun Run. At the end of the program, top participants in each category were awarded medals and mascots of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, presented by Dr. Alinejad, the Ambassador of Japan, and the OCA representative.