The Olympics and human dignity

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From its very beginning, the Olympic movement has embraced two elements: ethic and internationalism. The internationalism dimension was new for sport, but relatively straightforward, since it was a matter of extending the horizon of competition to include countries and not simply domestic activity. The ethical foundation was the combination of sport and culture into what has become known as Olympism, built on what were regarded as universal principles of fair play and the absence, indeed the prohibition, of discrimination.

The articulation of these values has evolved over time, as society has expanded to include forms of political governance that did not exist when the Olympic Games were revived, as women became more emancipated, and as sport expanded to the working classed and gradually became regarded not as a privilege but sth bordering on a basic human right. One of the principal objectives of the modern Olympic movement is a commitment to universality and the concept of human dignity, including freedom from all forms of discrimination, whether based on race, religion, color or gender. As with the human condition generally, it is far easier to write the words than it is to live them, however deeply and genuinely they may be felt…

But the Olympic movement must always be a living statement of respect for human dignity. If it delivers this quality, it succeeds；to the extent that it does not, it fails. As a human being, I consider it a fundamental duty to be ever vigilant that sport be at the service of humanity. Throwing or kicking a ball, running, swimming and jumping are all important for their own sakes and the healthier people they produce, but, when elevated to organized competition, whether local, national or international, they have a higher calling. They should contribute to the advancement of society, the improvement of the human condition, the development of understanding and mutual respect and the building of a better and more peaceful world.