The eyes of the Olympic movement will turn, next week, to an unexpected place. Lima, capital of Peru, organizes from April 24 to 27 the 15rd IOC World Conference on Sport for All. A South American meeting where it will mainly be a question, for the 900 officials and coaches present, of discussing health, fair play and education. South African Sam Ramsamy, president of the IOC Sport for All Commission, explains to FrancsJeux highlights and perspectives.
FrancsJeux : What can we expect from this 15rd World Conference on Sport for All?
Sam Ramsamy: Sporting activity has always been a priority for the IOC. We consider it to be crucial for human beings. Today, cardiovascular diseases constitute one of the leading causes of death in the world. By promoting physical activity, the IOC aims to help reduce the risk of heart attacks. But we also seek to transmit to young people the values of sport, primarily that of fair play. Encourage them to practice physical activity while respecting fairness and without cheating.
What will be the highlights of this 15rd IOC World Conference?
The first will be linked to the geographical location of our Conference. We are going to address the populations of Peru and South America to explain to them the benefits of physical activity. In this region, as in the rest of the world, working at the grassroots level is fundamental, because there cannot be a high level without a policy of developing sport for all. Furthermore, we will also insist in Lima on the role that international federations must play in this development. They are increasingly involved in mass practice, like for example table tennis and taekwondo. But they must continue and insist on this path.
This conference on sport for all will be the fifteenth. Have you noticed a big change since the first editions?
Today we are more concrete. Initially, we insisted on the research work to be carried out on the practice of sport around the world. Today, we are translating this research into practice. We do not want the impact of the IOC to be reduced to books lying dormant in libraries.
You chair the IOC commission on sport for all. Why are you so concerned about this issue?
Because sport has always been my passion. I have been a physical education teacher, sports instructor and coach. As such, I have always considered that the body must accompany the mind. Today, I am concerned to see young people spending so much time indoors, in front of a computer, and so little practicing physical activity. I have nothing against computers, but developing your brain does not prevent you from playing a sport.
Can the choice of organizing this world conference in Lima be interpreted as a further sign of the IOC's desire to open up to emerging countries?
Health through sport concerns the entire planet. Obesity problems too. By coming to Peru, we want to address all parts of the world. But we will also help the Peruvian government to develop the practice of sport in society. Peru today has a stable political regime. This regime wants to rely on sport to highlight certain values. We will help him.
Will we soon see a new South American bid for the Olympics?
After Rio in 2016, why not?
What about an African application?
There too, why not. At the IOC, we hope so.
