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
In response to the original question "Can Sport Help Promote Peace?" I urge everyone to read Swimming To Antarctica, Tales of a Long-Distance Swimmer by Lynne Cox.
Lynne an incredible swimmer with an even more incredible story followed her dream and 11 year quest to swim from the US to the Soviet Union. In 1987, still during the cold war, she was granted approval from the Soviets to swim ashore after crossing the Bering Straits from Alaska. The swim, 2 hours 6 minutes in 42 degree water in itself an unbelievable feat, and her motivation, bridging a gap and opening the door for peace an even more improbably quest. I quote from the book, just after she exited the 42 degree water, even before making it to the warming tent ...
..."One reporter from Russian television asked, Do you think your swim will contribute to a reduction in nuclear missiles in the US and the Soviet Union and further the INF treaty? Do the American people really view the Soviet union as the evil Empire? Why did you make the swim?...
... ...My speech was slurred, and my numb lips weren't helping me speak. I tried to quickly sort out my thoughts and feelings. How could I possibly speak for the American People? 'The reason I swam across the Bering Strait was to reach into the future, to cross the international date line, and to symbolically bridge the distance between the US and the Soviet Union. It was to generage goodwill and peace between our two countries, our two peoples. ...'"
You need to get and read the book in order to learn the rest. I encourage everone who absolutely loves swimming and who want to know the impact that one incredible athlete has had on world relations to read this story. I cried more than once being so touched by her courage, her quests and her successes. (Heather, I know swimmers don't cry, but this is different.) Lynne Cox is and will remain a favorite hero of mine. Hope to hear your thoughts.
In response to the original question "Can Sport Help Promote Peace?" I urge everyone to read Swimming To Antarctica, Tales of a Long-Distance Swimmer by Lynne Cox.
Lynne an incredible swimmer with an even more incredible story followed her dream and 11 year quest to swim from the US to the Soviet Union. In 1987, still during the cold war, she was granted approval from the Soviets to swim ashore after crossing the Bering Straits from Alaska. The swim, 2 hours 6 minutes in 42 degree water in itself an unbelievable feat, and her motivation, bridging a gap and opening the door for peace an even more improbably quest. I quote from the book, just after she exited the 42 degree water, even before making it to the warming tent ...
..."One reporter from Russian television asked, Do you think your swim will contribute to a reduction in nuclear missiles in the US and the Soviet Union and further the INF treaty? Do the American people really view the Soviet union as the evil Empire? Why did you make the swim?...
... ...My speech was slurred, and my numb lips weren't helping me speak. I tried to quickly sort out my thoughts and feelings. How could I possibly speak for the American People? 'The reason I swam across the Bering Strait was to reach into the future, to cross the international date line, and to symbolically bridge the distance between the US and the Soviet Union. It was to generage goodwill and peace between our two countries, our two peoples. ...'"
You need to get and read the book in order to learn the rest. I encourage everone who absolutely loves swimming and who want to know the impact that one incredible athlete has had on world relations to read this story. I cried more than once being so touched by her courage, her quests and her successes. (Heather, I know swimmers don't cry, but this is different.) Lynne Cox is and will remain a favorite hero of mine. Hope to hear your thoughts.
