Brussels, 17/10/2001 (Agence Europe) - At the European Sports Forum on Wednesday evening, Commissioner Viviane Reding met with representatives of European sports federations, including handball, volley ball, basketball, rugby and ice hockey. She seized the opportunity to raise the question of extending the type of agreement reached with the world of football to other sports disciplines.
The President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, met the President of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge in the framework of pursuing tighter co-operation with the IOC, particularly in terms of the role of sport in education and fighting doping. An observer commented that such a meeting would not have been possible with the former ICO President, Mr Samaranch.
The Commission recently adopted a draft decision to make 2004 European Education through Sport Year. The proposal, with an indicative budget of EUR 11.5 million, will now be forwarded to the Parliament and the Council under the codecision procedure. The Commission is also considering drawing up a European Anti-Doping Programme based on Article 152 (public health).