Olympic Day, on 23 June, commemorates the birth of the modern Olympic Games, highlighting the importance of getting active through Olympic sport and the enduring power of Olympians to inspire, connect and uplift communities.

As part of this year’s celebrations Olympic swimmers Taylor McKeown, Lara Davenport and David McKeon are helping to upskill graduate swimming coaches to deliver clinics as part of a coaching course on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait, while rugby player Nick Malouf and footballer Elise Kellond-Knight are sharing their Olympic experience with communities on Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands, hundreds of kilometres off the coast of Western Australia.

AOC CEO Mark Arbib said Olympic Day was a chance to spread the wide-ranging benefits of Olympic sport and the principles of Olympism.

“Olympic Day is an opportunity to celebrate our Olympians, their hard work, participation and their commitment to excellence,” Mr Arbib said.

“Only 4554 remarkable Australians have represented our country at an Olympic Games, it's an extraordinary honour for these individuals, their families and the communities they grew up and live in. On this day, we proudly honour their contributions.

“Australia has an incredible Olympic story, we are one of only three countries who have had athletes complete in every Games since the Olympics inception in 1896.

“While honouring our 4554 Olympians today, we also lend our support to aspiring Olympians across the country, who are striving every day to represent Australia at the Milano Cortina Winter Games in February 2026 and the Summer Games in Los Angeles 2028.

“The AOC also extends its gratitude to its Member Sports, coaches, volunteers, officials and all those who make Olympic sport possible at every level of our community. Their passion and commitment provide millions of Australians with the opportunity to be part of the Olympic Movement — not just every four years, but every single day,” he said.

Olympians Taylor McKeown, Lara Davenport and David McKeon are joining Australian Olympic Indigenous Coaching Scholarship (AOICS) graduates to deliver community clinics on Thursday Island this week, in collaboration with Swimming Australia.

This initiative offers AOICS graduates the opportunity to be paid as professional coaches, delivering services on behalf of their National sporting Federation and the AOC. The athletes will also share their experience with local students as part of the AOC’s school visit program - Olympics Unleashed - with presentations on Horn Island to inspire and motivate students to be their personal best.

Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallist Taylor said being an Australian Olympian is special.

“It’s a representation of the work ethic embedded in me from my parents, my sporting idols, myself and of course Australia,” she said.

“I love to share the biggest keys to success that I have personally learned throughout my Olympic journey – to try your hardest, enjoy the journey and support your teammates. These can be applied to anything and even if you don’t reach your goals, you can stand proud knowing you tried your hardest.

“I’m so excited to immerse myself in the culture of the Torres Strait Islands and bring joy to the kids I’ll meet, just as I am sure they’ll bring joy to me.

“The Olympics Unleashed program is so amazing at connecting Olympians to students, who have never needed inspiration and motivation more. I’m just stoked to be a part of it.”

Elise Kellond-Knight and Nick Malouf will also spread the Olympic spirit through the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT), running sporting clinics and sharing their Olympics Unleashed stories with local communities from 20-27 June.

“As a kid I was glued to the TV every Olympics, dreaming about being there one day,” Nick said. “To actually make it there and wear the green and gold - it’s still surreal. Olympic Day brings back all those childhood memories and I’m so proud to have represented Australia.

“I’m really looking forward to connecting with the kids in these incredible Indian Ocean Territory communities – experiencing the local way of life and sharing some of my journey, which I hope resonates with the community and helps them to pursue what they’re passionate about in life.”

Olympic Day also marks the release of a special Olympics Unleashed TV episode featuring Olympians Noemie Fox (Canoe Slalom), Sam Fricker (Diving), Brandon Starc (Athletics) and Kristie Edwards (Athletics). The episode will be shared with more than a thousand schools at midday today.

This visit to the IOT by the Australian Olympic Committee is coordinated by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries with the Shire of Christmas Island or Cocos (Keeling) Islands and funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts.