Based on the premise that innovation could be a “ driver for development” of the sport sector - socially, economically and in terms of organisation - the Council of the EU adopted, on Tuesday 18 May, conclusions calling on Member States to promote research projects on sport innovation.
In particular, the text refers to the development of physical activity products and services for “reducing sedentary lifestyles” and to “promote fitness”, including in the workplace.
Other findings of the EU Council are that technological advances are improving training and learning methods and reducing the risk of injury. And digital tools, such as sportswear, augmented reality and artificial intelligence-assisted physical activity “provides new possibilities for athletes”, whether they are top-level competitors or amateurs.
The adopted conclusions therefore invite Member States to support sport-related research initiatives and projects, in particular to ensure that these are carried out with universities and research centres.
Governments are also called upon to explore innovative solutions to “protect the integrity of sport and combat corruption”, as well as to “tackle cross-border challenges such as match-fixing, doping and violence, and to preserve a clean, safe, non-discriminatory and healthy sport environment”.
The European Commission, for its part, is invited to disseminate information on European financial support that could benefit these research projects, notably through the Erasmus+, Digital Europe and Horizon Europe programmes.
The Commission is also expected to “highlight the significance of sport innovation” by ensuring, for example, that statistics on the subject are available.
See the conclusions: https://bit.ly/3eZ311i (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)