sports

Ready for Olympic Games, UN-supported refugee athletes set out for Rio

Five middle-distance runners from South Sudan, until recently living in Kenya’s Kakuma refugee camp, have flown out of the capital city of Nairobi to take part in the first-ever Olympic refugee team for the Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the United Nations refugee agency has said.

Sport as “catalyst” for building consensus

Sport can act as a “catalyst” for change and can help to build consensus where disharmony exists; that’s according to the Foreign Minister of The Netherlands.

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Football “common denominator” for peace in Africa

One of the most celebrated African footballers of all time says that football can be the “common denominator” for peace on the continent and further afield.

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In Geneva, Ban welcomes first-ever Olympic refugee team to compete in Games

During a visit to Geneva today, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the first-ever Olympic refugee team to compete in the international event, and received the Olympic Cup Award on behalf of the UN.

UN Gender Focus: women's economic empowerment, Yemen peace talks and gender parity in sports

Women’s economic empowerment: no time to waste

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Ban praises ‘mega’ sport events for potential to advance peace and human rights

While it is evident that mega sport events such as the Olympics are hugely powerful in inspiring and uniting people across the globe, their influence can extend far beyond sports and provide a platform to promote the values and objectives of the United Nations, including peace and human rights, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today.

UNESCO kicks off conference against doping in sport, says education is key to eradicating scourge

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) hosted the fifth session of the International Convention against Doping in Sport at its headquarters in Paris today, with the theme of educating young sportspersons about the danger of using prohibited substances.

Sports deal scores for grassroots development

Efforts to promote sport as a tool for development received a boost after the signing of an deal to foster fresh talent at grassroots level.

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On International Day, UN underlines role of sport in promoting development, peace

On the second annual International Day of Sport for Development and Peace today, top United Nations officials stressed the important role that sport can play in achieving sustainable progress and change.

Wilfried Lemke reappointed as UN Special Adviser on Sport for Development, Peace

The Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace, Wilfried Lemke, stressed that he would continue striving to raise awareness and promote the use of sport as a tool for development and peace as his appointment to the position was extended for another year today.