05/11/2024 Parliamentary support | Secretary General of the Assembly
“This conference has been more than a series of sessions; it has been a shared moment of reckoning and resolve, a testament to our collective drive to safeguard integrity, safety, equality and inclusion in sport”, said PACE Secretary General Despina Chatzivassiliou-Tsovilis, speaking today at the end of the two-day Athens Conference on Sport, jointly organised by PACE and the Hellenic Parliament.
“Throughout our sessions, we have navigated the challenging terrain of ensuring safe sport. We heard compelling accounts that shed light on the persistent challenges athletes face, such as harassment and systemic failures within sports institutions. These discussions reinforced our commitment to building mechanisms that prioritise athlete well-being and ensure that prevention, protection and justice make their way from the very good standards in place into a reality in the everyday life of athletes,” she underlined.
Sport, the PACE Secretary General added, “must serve as a bridge that unites people, regardless of gender, background or ability. Our discussions emphasised that while progress has been made, the road ahead requires systemic change, inclusive policies, greater representation in leadership and targeted policies that dismantle the barriers faced by marginalised communities. The path to a more inclusive sports world is work in progress.”
“Together we can ensure that this conference’s legacy is not just discussion but tangible action and progress. May this be the beginning of a renewed, collective push for a future where sport stands as a beacon of hope, fairness and resilience.”
“Sport is not yet safe, ethical and inclusive. We all know that we need to do more and better. And you came here to find out how,” said conference rapporteur Elda Moreno, presenting the conclusions of the meeting. For sport to fully unleash its transformative potential, “it is critical to address the challenges that it faces more effectively”. She clustered into four key objectives the measures proposed during the conference: embedding human rights and good governance in sport, investing in prevention, enhancing accountability at all levels and achieving efficient multi-stakeholder co-operation at international level.
The two-day Athens Conference on Sport, jointly organised by PACE and the Hellenic Parliament, brought together parliamentarians, policy-makers, athletes, sporting organisations and experts in the cradle of the Olympics to discuss promoting safety, integrity, equality and inclusion in sport.