UN launches International Year of Sport and Physical Education

Kicking off the International Year of Sport and Physical Education, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today said athletics are a good vehicle for promoting education, health, development and peace as part of the overall effort to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

"Sport is a universal language," Mr. Annan told a press briefing in New York on the launch of the Year, which will be observed throughout 2005. "At its best it can bring people together, no matter what their origin, background, religious beliefs or economic status.

"And when young people participate in sports or have access to physical education, they can experience real exhilaration even as they learn the ideals of teamwork and tolerance."

The MDGs are a set of eight time-bound targets for dealing with the world's problems, such as halving extreme poverty and hunger, ensuring universal education and fighting the spread of diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria, all by 2015.

Adolf Ogi, the Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Sport for Peace and Development, told journalists that sports are critical to improving the world.

"Sport can bridge difficulties. Sport can bridge cultures. Sport can bridge conflicts. Sport is the best school of life," he said. "We need desperately this international year…to spread the message that sport offers values to the younger generation."

Joining the UN officials were top-ranked tennis player Roger Federer of Switzerland and Margaret Okayo of Kenya, winner of the 2003 New York City Marathon.

Both expressed their enthusiasm for the International Year and agreed with the importance of sports for the development of children. They also described assistance programmes they supported in South Africa and Kenya.

Video of press conference [24mins]