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15 November 2004
Swiss tennis star Roger Federer and the UN Special Advisor
on Sport for Development and Peace, Adolf Ogi, have
launched, in New York, the International Year of Sport and
Physical Education. On this occasion, the IOC issued the
following statement:
Important milestone
�The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed the year
2005 International Year for Sport and Physical Education.
The Olympic Movement considers this year as an important
milestone in the promotion of sport as a part of human
development based on the values of solidarity, human
dignity, peace and development.
Contribution to harmonious development
We are living in a world full of human tragedies, with armed
conflicts, acts of terrorism, poverty, violations of human
rights and social disintegration. Sport and the Olympic
Movement can, of course, not be a remedy to this by itself;
however, it can contribute to the harmonious development of
man, with a view to encouraging the establishment of a
peaceful society.
Part of civil
society
The sports movement is part of civil society and wants to
fulfill an important role in this field. The International
Olympic Committee (IOC) is convinced of the positive role
which sport can, and must, play as a catalyst in our
society.
Numerous cooperation agreements
Over the last few years, the IOC has signed a number of
cooperation agreements with the United Nations specialised
agencies and programmes, as well as other organisations, to
promote education, health care (particularly the prevention
of HIV/AIDS), human rights, environmental issues and the
role of women in sport and society.
Olympic Truce Resolution
The Olympic Truce Resolution, adopted by the UN General
Assembly before each edition of the Olympic Games, is
another cornerstone of Olympic Movement initiatives to
promote human values and peace.
IOC Forum in June 2005
For the Year of Sport and Physical Education, the Olympic
Movement, under the leadership of the IOC, has implemented
several projects to underline its commitment to the cause.
All these projects aim to contribute to building a better
world. These initiatives will culminate at the World Forum
on International Relations and Sport in May/June 2005.
Full support
The Olympic Movement reiterates its gratitude to the United
Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, and his Special
Adviser on Sport for Development of Peace, Adolf Ogi, for
having initiated and launched the International Year of
Sport and Physical Education, and guarantees its full
support. �
(reprinted from the IOC)
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