On May 16, 2020, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) signed an agreement with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to promote healthy society and lifestyle through sport. The agreement was signed at the WHO headquarters in Geneva. Through the signing of the agreement, the IOC and the WHO reiterated their commitment to promote a healthy society through sport in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good health and well-being), and to contribute to the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Other areas of collaboration include working with host countries to ensure the health of athletes, supporters and workers at the games as well as addressing NCD risk factors, including water quality and air pollution. The two institutions will also work to ensure that the Olympic games leave a healthy legacy in host countries through enhanced awareness of the value of sport and physical activity. The two organizations also intend to work together to promote grassroots and community sports programmes that have a further reach within the general public, particularly among girls, older people and people living with disability who may find it harder to keep active and healthy.

The agreement will also allow the two organisations to work on new projects addressing emerging issues such as mental health. In the context of the Olympic Games, the agreement will aim to strengthen the health component and legacy of the Olympic Games and Youth Olympic Games, in particular by addressing mental health, water quality and air pollution, in addition to emergencies and health security.

IOC President Thomas Bach commented: Over the last few months in the current crisis, we have all seen how important sport and physical activity are for physical and mental health. Sport can save lives.

The IOC calls on the governments of the world to include sport in their post-crisis support programmes because of the important role of sport in the prevention of NCDs, but also of communicable diseases. He continued: As we are preparing for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 in a safe environment for all participants, we are happy and grateful that we can continue to rely on the valuable advice of the WHO.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General expressed his happiness over the WHOs formalization of the longstanding partnership with the IOC. WHO works not only to respond to disease but also to help people realize their healthiest lives and this partnership will do exactly that.

Physical activity is one of the keys to good health and well-being, Dr. Tedros said.

Photo Credit : Getty Images

Like Loading...

Related

Read this article:
IOC and WHO sign agreement to promote healthy lifestyle through sport - New Delhi Times