- The Olympism365 Summit: Sport for a Better World today concluded with 68 organisations confirming 45 commitments to using sport as a tool to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These initiatives are projected to generate over USD 200 million in value over the next four years towards building a better world through sport. The summit was convened by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), with over 300 participants from more than 100 organisations and 70 countries coming together in Lausanne, Switzerland.
"VAN" (Sports Desk - 06.06.2025) :: In an emotional closing address, the IOC President-elect, Kirsty Coventry said: “It really takes a village and this is just the start of the ever-growing village that we are going to be expanding upon from these two days.”
“We heard the words ‘teamwork’ and ‘stronger together’. We heard collective actions. We spoke about being knocked down and getting back up again, being adaptive, being resilient and leaning on each other. These things embody sport. This is why we love it, this is why we live it and we breath it.”
“This initial Forum and the call to action is one that is collaborative, one that is ensuring that we will have a lasting power, a lasting benefit for all the things we are trying to do.”
The urgency of a joint effort to leverage the power of sport to advance sustainable development was also stressed by IOC President Thomas Bach during his opening address on Wednesday, when he said: “Your presence here today demonstrates the growing momentum behind our shared mission: to put sport at the service of society. The purpose of this Olympism365 Summit is not only to reflect on how far we have come, but, more importantly, to also chart the course for the future. What we have built together over the past years is only the beginning. Now is the time to take these efforts – and the goals of Olympic Agenda – to new heights.”
The Olympism365 strategy was started as part of the reforms President Bach initiated during his presidency. This was highlighted by IOC President-elect Coventry: “I’m truly inspired and truly grateful, President Bach, for your leadership, for putting so much of your heart and soul in our movement. I’m extremely honoured and proud to be taking over from you, and I’ve learned so much from you. I’m truly grateful for the initiatives that you started with this, because this has been a platform for all of us to ensure that we are not just always focused on elite sport, but focused on our second pillar as the Olympic Movement of building a better world through sport. Thank you very much for the legacy you will be leaving with us.”
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