The President of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, has declared the Olympic movement must move with the times to overcome a global obesity problem.
Speaking at the opening of the 119th IOC Session in Guatemala. Rogge said, “for our Movement to remain relevant into the next
The President of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, has declared the Olympic movement must move with the times to overcome a global obesity problem.
Speaking at the opening of the 119th IOC Session in Guatemala. Rogge said, “for our Movement to remain relevant into the next decade and beyond we must engender the interest of young people in the thrill of sport and reduce the skyrocketing obesity rates in developed countries that threaten their well-being”.
“We must now adapt to meet the taste of today’s young generation,” he said.
He was supporting the proposed Youth Olympic Games (YOG) which will be debated by IOC members this week.
It is planned the new event will kick off in just over two years with the Summer Youth Olympics in 2010 and a Winter Youth Games in 2012.
YOG is designed to inspire young people to participate in sport.
“The Youth Olympic Games is just one of several ways the IOC aims to encourage an increase in sports participation and broaden the scope of an education based on Olympic values,” Rogge said.
IOC member, and the President of the Australian Olympic Committee, John Coates, has already pledged Australian teams will take part in both events wherever they are held.
The number of young people practicing sport is decreasing with a major drop-out at the age of 15 and 16.
The IOC has already introduced new sports and disciplines like BMX, Snowboard Cross and Skier Cross to appeal to young people. More recently there has been a push to include Skateboarding on the Olympic program.
At YOG international sporting bodies can propose the inclusion of other non-Olympic events. If approved by the IOC members at this session the bidding process for cities wanting to host the first YOG in 2010 will begin immediately.
The successful city will be announced at the next IOC Session in Beijing in 2008.
Mike Tancred in Guatemala
AOC