Brussels, 14/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Commissioner responsible for culture and sport, Viviane Reding, and the President of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, set out before the press on Friday the goals and significance of the cooperation that has just been set up between the Commission and the IOC through the signing of a convention on "Sport, schools and the Olympic ideals in Europe" (see yesterday's bulletin, p.11). Ms. Reding recalled that the Commission's action in the realm of sport was aimed at promoting the ethical, social and cultural values of sport. The three pilot projects launched on Friday - to take place in France, Italy and the Netherlands and which will involve several thousand children aged between 10 and 14 - represent the first phase of an action the Commission and the IOC intend later generalising, in the fifteen Member States and beyond. In addition, Reding intends proposing the year 2004 as Year of Education through Sport.
Mr. Rogge stressed that, for the IOC, the Olympic Games were not simply sporting events but a way of spreading fairness, solidarity, tolerance and determination among the young. The action undertaken with the European Commission seeks these goals. The President also stressed an additional element: that of health. In our countries, the physical condition of the young is decreasing, as our modes of life demand less physical efforts of them today; only sport can remedy this situation. It is essential to act, as it is a problem of concern to society as a whole, due to its repercussions on health in general, as well as on the capacity to work. Asked about the risk of terrorism acting against the Olympic Games, Rogge stressed that this risk had been known for years, since the Muslim terrorists had attacked and killed Israeli participants in the Games in Munich. Since then, there had been a security mechanism, and security is a priority for the IOC. Mr. Rogge will soon have contacts with the Greek authorities in view of the Games in Athens, to review and strengthen this mechanism.
Ms. Reding added that EU Sports Ministers would be meeting informally in November to discuss the security of sport and education against fanaticism as well as against racism (which has reared its ugly head in several Member states, not among the athletes but the spectators). Beyond the values already mentioned, sport must also be a school of tolerance.