[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 5, 2021)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 23853-23854]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-09591]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 5, 2021 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 23853]]


                Proclamation 10194 of April 30, 2021

                
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, 2021

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Despite the unprecedented challenges and disruptions of 
                the past year, we continue to see examples of Americans 
                finding innovative ways to stay active and healthy. 
                Some have moved their workouts into their living rooms 
                or garages. Others have taken up new sports. Many have 
                simply rediscovered the satisfaction of a walk through 
                their neighborhood. Despite this creativity, far too 
                many people struggle to incorporate regular physical 
                activity into their daily lives. Socioeconomic 
                disparities, lack of opportunities for safe play, and 
                limited access to programs for increased activity are 
                just a few of the inequities that many Americans face--
                inequities that have been further exacerbated by the 
                pandemic. During this National Physical Fitness and 
                Sports Month, we encourage all Americans to stay active 
                for their health and wellbeing. Whether by pursuing a 
                more active lifestyle, making physical activity a 
                priority and an essential part of everyday living, or 
                supporting efforts in local communities that increase 
                access to sports and physical fitness opportunities for 
                all, participating in physical activities leads to a 
                healthier lifestyle.

                Physical activity is one of the best tools we have to 
                help combat chronic diseases experienced by over half 
                of all Americans. Even a single session of moderate-to-
                vigorous physical activity can boost your mood, sharpen 
                your focus, reduce your stress, and improve your sleep. 
                More regular physical activity--over months or years--
                can contribute to a reduced risk of depression, heart 
                disease, several types of cancer, dementia, type 2 
                diabetes, and obesity.

                No matter our age or ability, the more that we can make 
                regular physical activity and participation in sports a 
                part of our lives, the better off both we and our 
                Nation will be. Greater amounts of physical activity 
                can have positive effects in every stage of life and 
                lead to better overall health outcomes for both 
                children and adults, including those with disabilities. 
                The Department of Health and Human Services' Move Your 
                Way campaign provides helpful tips to encourage 
                children and adults to meet the recommendations from 
                the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. The 
                Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Active 
                People, Healthy Nation initiative provides a blueprint 
                for building active communities to make it easier for 
                all Americans to attain the physical activity they 
                need, with a goal of getting 27 million more Americans 
                physically active by 2027.

                By transcending differences and uniting in celebration 
                of physical activity, healthy competition, and shared 
                enjoyment, sports are a fun and engaging way to stay 
                active and keep fit for people of all ages. For our 
                Nation's youth, playing sports can also help to build 
                confidence on and off the field, while team sports 
                foster the added virtues of service to common causes 
                and communal responsibility--win or lose, every game 
                offers the opportunity to learn something new or hone 
                your skills. Every athletic challenge is an avenue to 
                greater mental and physical resilience. While social 
                distancing has made participation in organized sports 
                challenging, we can use this time to renew our focus on 
                fundamental skills and training in preparation for a 
                return to play, especially for young athletes.

[[Page 23854]]

                Our Nation can and must do more to make sure that every 
                child has the opportunity to play sports and obtain the 
                benefits that come with play, including greater 
                physical fitness and better health. As we recover from 
                the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever 
                that we ensure equal access to sports and fitness 
                activities for everyone. To that end, my Administration 
                continues to promote programs that provide 
                opportunities for all of our young people to play 
                sports--regardless of their race, ethnicity, sex, 
                sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, 
                disability, or neighborhood--in support of the National 
                Youth Sports Strategy.

                I encourage every American to discover an enjoyable 
                exercise activity that fits into their daily routine. 
                It does not matter how you choose to be active--whether 
                you are trying your hand at a new sport, exploring a 
                local park, or going for a walk or a jog in your own 
                neighborhood, physical activity holds the key to better 
                health and wellness. During National Physical Fitness 
                and Sports Month, let us all strive to be more active 
                together.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of 
                the United States of America, by virtue of the 
                authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws 
                of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 2021 as 
                National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. I call upon 
                the people of the United States to make daily physical 
                activity a priority, to support efforts to increase 
                access to sports opportunities in their communities, 
                and to pursue physical fitness as an essential part of 
                healthy living.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                thirtieth day of April, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                fifth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2021-09591
Filed 5-4-21; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F1-P