Hundreds of youngsters took part in a variety of learning activities in Masal Park in the southern city, which lies just 30 miles from war-torn Syria.

The children were taught about healthy lifestyles, the environment, nutrition, sport ethics and Olympic values and history during the event.

The day was coordinated by the TOC and Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality.

At the end of the day, those taking part were awarded Olympic Day tee-shirts signed by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach and TOC President Uğur Erdener.

"Olympic Day is a major event on the Olympic calendar and is celebrated across the globe by more than four million people from 205 countries," said Erdener, also an IOC vice-president and President of World Archery.

"Here in Turkey we have been celebrating Olympic Day since its inception as we believe it is a great way to promote sport to our country's youth and educate them on the Olympic values of friendship, excellence and respect."

Erdener added: "Last month, with the help of the IOC Emergency Fund for Refugees, the TOC and Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality launched the Support Through Sport Project which aims to provide greater accessibility to sport for Syrian children refugees. 

"We were able to incorporate the same children into our Olympic Day celebrations and it was great to see them playing and learning alongside locals as they continue to integrate well into their new community."

Olympic Day is celebrated across the globe on June 23 to commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic Games in 1894 at the Sorbonne in Paris.

It is used as a global celebration of the Olympic Movement which seeks to promote fitness, well-being, culture and education through the three Olympic Day pillars - move, learn and discover.  

The TOC are due hold further events in Muğla on May 15, Antalya on May 17 and Istanbul on May 29.