Olympic stars to host the world's biggest online workout over COVID-19

New Zealand snowboarder Rebecca Torr poses for a picture with the Olympic Rings at Athletes Village ahead of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, Sochi, Russia, February 4, 2014. /VCG

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic mercilessly slamming the brakes on the sport and recreation landscapes, cooped-up people from every corner of the globe are casting their eyes on alternative ways to stay fit and healthy. So how does it sound if star athletes worldwide make the most of the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics and lead by example in hosting the world's largest 24-hour digital workout?

On June 23, some of the biggest names in the sports world, ranging from France's most decorated Winter Olympian Martin Fourcade to Kenya's world and Olympic 1,500m champion Faith Kipyegon, will do exactly that across 20 time zones on social media to mark the Olympic Day, a celebration dates back to 1948.

"Celebrating Olympic Day may feel very different from all previous years, but at the same time, on this Olympic Day, our message of the power of sport to bring hope and optimism to everyone resonates even stronger," beamed International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach.

Olympic Day 2020 will see Olympians, athletes and fans all over the globe get active in the world's largest 24-hour digital Olympic workout. /Official website of the Olympic Games

"Let us join together to use this power of sport to prepare the postponed Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 as a moment of solidarity and resilience of humankind," he added.

Several Chinese Olympians have been mobilized to join the virtual jamboree. According to a list released by the IOC, Gu Ailing, China's first naturalized skier and Youth Olympic champion is set be involved, along with speed skater Zhang Hong, China's first-ever Olympic gold medalist in long-track event.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Olympic Committee and Beijing 2022 will also take part by organizing a "#StayStrong" live stream, featuring over 350 Chinese athletes and medalists of different generations. Chinese basketball chief Yao Ming, table tennis legend Deng Yaping, former diving queen Fu Mingxia and China's first Olympic gold medalist Xu Haifeng are all scheduled to make appearances.

Gu Ailing celebrates after winning the Women's Freeski Big Air Final during the Lausanne 2020 Winter Youth Olympics at Leysin Park & Pipe, Leysin, Switzerland, January 22, 2020. /VCG

Commemorating the birth of the modern Olympic Games on June 23 1894, Olympic Day is celebrated to promote participation in sport regardless of age, gender or athletic ability. And under the current circumstances, any attempts to lighten the coronavirus-forced bad mood are warmly welcomed.

"With the global coronavirus crisis, all of us are living with much uncertainty about the future. In these difficult times, we need the values of sport, our shared Olympic values of excellence, friendship, respect and solidarity, more than ever," said Bach.

"The Olympic flame can be the light at the end of the dark tunnel that we all find ourselves in now."