8th WORLD CONFERENCE ON SPORT AND THE ENVIRONMENT

1.2. Message from the Chairman of the IOC
Sport and Environment Commission, Mr Pál Schmitt
8th World Conference on Sport and the Environment
International Cooperation and Development Department
Report
With the main theme of “Innovation and Inspiration”, the 8th World Conference on Sport and the
Environment was the ideal opportunity for the Olympic family and other stakeholders to share,
encourage cooperation and further develop their environmental initiatives in sport, and to make
the sustainable coexistence of sport and the environment more than ever a priority. And Vancouver
was the perfect location to host this Conference, as Vancouver 2010 is the fi rst Organising
Committee for the Olympic Games to integrate sustainability into its Vision Statement.
The participants from all over the world, representing sports organisations, sponsors, sports
event organisers, NGOs, industry, United Nations bodies, national and municipal governments
and research institutions, had the opportunity to refl ect on the hard work and achievements of
the last 14 years and the growing number of success stories in terms of advancing sustainability
through sport. They also unanimously highlighted the importance of youth involvement.
As you will see in this Report, and in particular the recommendations, sport can be a valuable tool
for human and sustainable development, and is increasingly recognised as such. We can all make
a difference and contribute to the better protection of our planet by promoting environmentallyfriendly
sport at community level, as well as by ensuring that the local environment is preserved
to protect the future of sport for those who come after us. This is why the IOC has created a
new award, the IOC Sport and Environment Award, which was presented for the fi rst time in
Vancouver.
Before concluding, I should like to express my sincere thanks to the Conference participants for
their active collaboration; to our partners, the Province of British Columbia, the Canadian Olympic
Association, the Vancouver 2010 Organising Committee for the Games and the United Nations
Environment Programme, for their close cooperation and support; and to my fellow members on
the IOC Sport and Environment Commission for their outstanding work and commitment.
We all have to play our part in the global effort to create an environment that is healthier for sport
and for people around the world – which means everybody, every day. And doing this means
thinking globally and acting locally!
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