The United Nations has declared 2005 the
International Year of Sport and Physical Education
Kofi Annan says:
"Sport is an international language that can bring people together, no matter what their origin, background, religious beliefs or economic status."
"The International Year of Sport and Physical Education (IYSPE 2005) provides a unique opportunity to focus the world’s attention on the importance of sport in society and on how sport and physical education programmes can be used as tools to help combat challenges such as extreme poverty, conflict and HIV/AIDS and help achieve the Millennium Development Goals."
What do you think about the potential of sport to promote peace, to bring people of different backgrounds together?
Mary
By the way, if you are organizing an event which you believe fits the criteria of the International Year of Sport and Physical Education, you can contact the UN for sponsorship (no $$ though, just their blessings!) I got it for my Strait of Messina swim!
Parents
Former Member
I'm with both Kael and InnerFish, even though they each make different points.
On the practical side, USMS would do well to use swimming events as ways to raise money for various causes. That would also bring out the so-called "non-competitive" swimmers who might find a bigger purpose in the endeavor than simply making better times. I run in road races not to compete but to help raise money for a worthy cause.
And to give myself shin splints. There, I said it.
Sport has a limited ability to bring people together. At first, it seems like a great idea, but as politics gets involved, the stakes get ratcheted up until the whole idea of unity is as insignificant a thought as what color the jerseys are.
Playing games to unite folks is a great idea, but we have to realize at some point, it's only a game.
In my humble opinion, natch.
Adam
I'm with both Kael and InnerFish, even though they each make different points.
On the practical side, USMS would do well to use swimming events as ways to raise money for various causes. That would also bring out the so-called "non-competitive" swimmers who might find a bigger purpose in the endeavor than simply making better times. I run in road races not to compete but to help raise money for a worthy cause.
And to give myself shin splints. There, I said it.
Sport has a limited ability to bring people together. At first, it seems like a great idea, but as politics gets involved, the stakes get ratcheted up until the whole idea of unity is as insignificant a thought as what color the jerseys are.
Playing games to unite folks is a great idea, but we have to realize at some point, it's only a game.
In my humble opinion, natch.
Adam
