Olympic Day Run for millions to celebrate International Year of Sport and Physical Education 2005 (IYSPE 2005)
United Nations, New York, 17 June
2005 -- Affirming that the United
Nations and the International Olympic
Committee “share fundamental
ideals such as tolerance, fair play
and equal rights,” IOC President
Jacques Rogge and UN Secretary-General
Kofi Annan have issued a joint message
for this year’s Olympic Day
Run and the International Year of
Sport and Physical Education 2005
(IYSPE 2005). National Olympic Committees
worldwide traditionally hold the run
on the first weekend before or after
23 June, marking Olympic Day when
the IOC was formed in Paris in 1894.
During IYSPE 2005, sports entities are working together to "harness the great power of sport to change peoples' lives for the better," the message says, noting that well-designed sport programs can be "catalysts for economic growth, and cost-effective ways to improve health and education - for young people in particular." The message concludes that for this year's Olympic Day, when millions will take the traditional run to mark the birth of the modern Olympics, "We call on the sporting community to re-dedicate itself to the goals of service to the community, the advancement of humankind and universal peace."
For
further information please contact:
Richard Leonard,
UN New York Office
of Sport for Development and Peace:
212 457 1254 (richard.leonard@undp.org);
or Michael Kleiner,
Office for the
International Year of Sport and Physical
Education, UN Office at Geneva:
41
22 917 2555 (mkleiner@unog.ch)
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