Back Sports is about health, fairness and integration, says Secretary General Jagland

Macolin , 

Addressing the conference of European sports ministers in Switzerland, Thorbjørn Jagland, called on all governments to sign and ratify the new Council of Europe convention against the manipulation of sports competitions. This Convention is a major step forward to promote the integrity of sport and sports ethics, he said.

In his speech delivered to some 30 ministers and state secretaries, representatives of the sport movement and of international partner organisations, he underlined that sport is a unique tool to promote values and educate future generations about their rights and responsibilities. “The essence of sport is grounded in diversity, respect and tolerance for oneself and others. It is based on fair competition.”

Corruption undermines sports and people’s trust in sports organisations. Through the rules the Council of Europe sets, it contributes to better governance of sports, with the aim of making sport more fair, more transparent and more ethical, he concluded.

Statement by the Secretary General

Photo Gallery