The IOC is convinced, more than ever before, that in this third millennium, sport does have a vital role to play in building a better and more peaceful world as it appeals to the community in general and to young people in particular. Sport can facilitate dialogue between different communities and be a catalyst for mutual understanding in our society. This is because we all know that sport is, in essence, the only language understood by everyone. Sports activities promote interaction, tolerance and the spirit of fair play. And we all know that if our youngsters learn through sport to respect each other, they will be well equipped for their role in contributing to a better society. This was the message from the IOC President Jacques Rogge, to the organisers and participants at an event held on 26 September in Kinshasa by the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) and the Congolese Olympic Committee, on the occasion of the celebration of International Peace Day. This year, this Day was placed under the message from the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon: We must disarm! We must have peace.

This is the second time that the IOC has been associated with such a programme in this country. Just like the 2006 Peace Games, this new sporting event will be the opportunity for the various communities of your country not only to enjoy recreation and peace, but also to develop trust and confidence between the parties. On the programme, a marathon, in which around 300 runners took part, including some 30 Blue Berets, MONUC civil personnel and members of the Congolese National Police and Army. The main objective of this marathon was to show the way followed by the Democratic Republic of Congo towards peace: a refound peace that will start the departure of the MONUC and therefore the management of crises by the Congolese, with the help of the UNCT (United Nations Country Team). All along the route, which led the runners from the station to the cycling stadium in Kinshasa, signs and banners recalled the various steps towards peace and the necessity of disarming, each time with a reference to the following stage. Culture was also present, with musical events and shows by artists, young peoples associations and womens groups on the theme of peace.

 

Besides this marathon, MONUC set up various activities throughout the country. From north to south, and from east to west, conferences and discussions, official ceremonies, prizegivings, and walks for peace brought together local authorities, leaders of various communities, young peoples associations and representatives of MONUC. Objective: to encourage dialogue towards peace and give a future to young Congolese people today and tomorrow.

 

 

A live report from the 2024 Olympic Games and a heartfelt tribute to the positive power of sport proved to be the winning combination in the International Olympic Committees video contest for the Olympic Congress.

Vanessa Lee of Canada and Lee Kang-Eun of South Korea submitted their separate videos in response to a series of video challenges from Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt and other Olympians that were posted on the IOCs web site in August.

I want to know what you think the future of the Olympics is going to be. Seriously, Bolt said. French archer Berangere Schuh, British BMX champion Shanaze Reade, Jamaican hurdler Melaine Walker, British boxer James Degale and British runner Dame Kelly Holmes also called for submissions.

More than 200 people responded before the contest closed on 22 September, and more than 20,000 from around the world have visited the Olympic Congress site on YouTube. The IOC announced the winners today and will reward them with free trips to the Olympic Congress, which will take place in Copenhagen from 3 to 5 October.

Vanessa Lee, an archer who hopes to compete in the 2012 Games, presented her vision of the future in video that features an interview with her at the 2024 Games in Sierra Leone. Lee, 20, poses as a competitor and tells the viewing audience that it is her fourth Olympic Games.

Its great seeing so many athletes from developing countries really step up their game. Theyre really the ones to beat these days, she tells her interviewer, a friend who poses as a sports journalist.

Lee Kang-Eun used her video to offer her prediction that the Olympic Games would help make the dream of global harmony become a reality by 2024. Although from Seoul, she is currently studying sports marketing in Rennes, France, in pursuit of her dream of becoming an IOC member.

I think the word harmony is the best word to describe the future of the Olympic Games, she says on her video. Lee, also 20, tells the video audience that the Games and Olympic athletes set an example that fosters both political and social harmony.

The Movement sends the message that if you try your best, if you have a dream and you go for it never give up you can really achieve that dream, she says.

Discover Vanessa Lees winning video.

Discover the winning video submitted by Lee Kang-Eun.

The messages from Bolt and the other Olympians, as well other video submissions from the public, are here.  

Although the video contest is over, the IOC is encouraging video submissions from anyone who would like to share their opinion. Videos can be uploaded at www.youtube.com/olympiccongress

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today announced an extension to its current partnership with Omega through to 2020, including the XXII Olympic Winter Games (2014) in Sochi, Russia, the Games of the XXXI Olympiad (2016), the XXIII Olympic Winter Games (2018) and the Games of the XXXII Olympiad (2020). 

The announcement, made at The Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland, means Omega will continue as the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games, bringing its relationship with the Olympic Movement to a total of 29 Olympic Games.

IOC President Jacques Rogge welcomed Omegas commitment to the Olympic Movement: Omegas devotion to the development of sports timekeeping, its commitment to athletes and its dedication to the Olympic Movement are a source of enormous confidence for the IOC and the organisers of the Olympic Games.

 

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