Laureus welcomes International Day of Sport for Development and Peace
August 28, 2013
Laureus are delighted that the United Nations (UN) General Assembly has established for the first time an International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.
Since the turn of the millennium, Laureus has worked across the world changing young lives and troubled communities through sport.
Now we look forward to this day becoming an opportunity for all who believe in the power of sport for development to come together in celebration.
The Day will be celebrated each year on 6 April, the date of the opening of the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896. In this context, the General Assembly recalled the IOC’s role in promoting healthy lifestyles and creating access to sport for as many people as possible.
The announcement was attended by IOC President Jacques Rogge and Laureus World Sportsman of the Year 2012, Novak Djokovic.
Djokovic, reflecting on why he believes sport’s values of fair play, team work and friendship can be such a force for good in all walks of life, said: “These ideals are universal. Every successful society is built on them, and the more we instil respect for these ideals in ourselves, the better the world will be that we leave to our successors.”
A full copy of the UN statement can be read here.
