Tafuna, AS — Olympic Day is annually recognized on June 23 around the world, but this year American Samoa will hold its Olympic Day celebration on Saturday August 3, 2013.

The American Samoa National Olympic Committee (ASNOC) petitioned to the International Olympic Committee to request the date change for the local celebration from the recognized worldwide date. The request was approved June 11, 2013.

“We felt it necessary to move the date so that the majority of the new ASNOC administration could be present and active in this annual celebration of Olympyism and the Olympic values,” commented Erika Radewagen, ASNOC Secretary General. “Both the ASNOC President Victor Langkilde and I needed to attend an NOC-related meeting in Switzerland and the travel time made it impossible to be back in time for the event.”

The 2013 Olympic Day Committee is chaired by ASNOC Executive Committee members Billy Young (Tennis) and Michael Tolmie (Golf). As in the past, ASNOC will be seeking sponsorship to assist in funding this annual celebration.

For more information regarding Olympic Day around the world, http://www.olympic.org/olympic-day

For more information regarding the American Samoa Olympic Day celebration or event sponsorship opportunities, please contact the ASNOC office at: 699-8855 or asnoc@asnoc.org

Source: ASNOC media release