We do it in our daily lives – when we cycle to work or go swimming. We watch and enjoy it live or on TV. Sport is everywhere around us and an integral part of the lives of millions of Europeans. This is especially true this summer, after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the biggest global sporting event of all, which kicked off yesterday, with an opening ceremony broadcast around the world.
EU in the spotlight at the Olympic Games
For the first time, the EU featured prominently at the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with a performance on a floating barge under the European Union motto “United in diversity”. On the boat were dancers, symbolising the youth, openness and dynamism of the EU, dancing to Eurodance music.
It was a unique opportunity for the EU to promote its values such as peace, unity and solidarity, where diversity is a strength and team spirit a key to success, linking them to those of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The Olympic Games also provide an opportunity to highlight the importance of freedom of movement and study in the EU, particularly for young people, as well as EU policies and activities related to support for sport and youth.
We have also launched the European Medal Counter – Team Europe 2024 for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, where you can follow and celebrate the achievements of EU athletes by counting their medals.
But what is the EU doing to promote sport?
Sport should be for everyone. That is why the EU promotes it through its Erasmus+ programme, which promotes dialogue, support and participation in all areas of sports policy. There is also the European Week of Sport that takes place every year from 23 to 30 September, an initiative that promotes the benefits of sport and physical activity in all countries. Europe at national, regional and local levels.
Making sport accessible to all also means fostering a sense of inclusion and social integration. Every year, the Commission rewards organisations whose work uses the power of sport to improve the social inclusion of disadvantaged groups through the #BeInclusive EU Sport Awards. It also works with all EU countries and national sports organisations to raise awareness of the importance of gender equality in sport.
Sport must also be fair, especially in competitive and professional sports. The EU protects the integrity of sport by fighting doping, which it does by coordinating and sharing information with its international partners. When it comes to match-fixing, the Commission plays an active role, as part of broader efforts to ensure that competitive sports remain fair.
Through these efforts to make sport fairer, more inclusive and more accessible, the EU is helping to realise its core values of peace, unity, solidarity and diversity. And that is how it should be. After all, sport plays a vital role, not only in the health and fitness of individuals, but also in shaping our wider European society.
Originally published in The European Times.
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