Established by the International Olympic Committee, hosted by the Chinese Olympic Committee, organized by Beijing Olympic City Development Association and in collaboration with Sportaccord, the 14th World Conference on Sport of All was held in Beijing National Convention Center from 20th to 23rd September 2011.
The establishment of the Conference was mainly due to the recognition of the importance of developing sports for all in the 1980s by the International Olympic Committee. There exists an important relationship among Sport for All,the Olympic Games and the Olympic movements. It is also an essential element of fulfilling the Olympic ideal. The International Olympic Committee set up the Sport of All Commission in 1985 and the first World Conference on Sport of All was held in Cologne, Germany in 1986, and since then the Conference has been held biennially. This year in Beijing marked the 14th edition of the Conference and in the opening ceremony, opening address was given by Sam Ramsamy, Chairman of the IOC Sport for All Commission, Liu Qi, Chairman of Beijing Olympics City Development Association, and Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee.
Unlike previous Conferences, this year’s Conference focused on the exchange and successful experience sharing amongst its delegates. Activities include workshops and seminars on topics such as “Follow-up of the 2010 World Conference on Sport for All”, “Programs and policies: the practical and theoretical foundations of Sport for All”, “Development and promotion of Sport for All in particular the roles of different stakeholders”, “Health and social benefits of physical activity”, and “Future directions” etc. Moreover, cultural and exchange activities such as poster sessions of research papers, photo exhibitions on sport for all, art and sculpture exhibitions on sport-related theme, morning Tai Chi exercise session and demonstration on sport for all activities.
In addition, the International Olympic Committee also presented three Sport for All awards for the first time and they are Award for the “Health and Social Benefits of Physical Activity”, Award for “Programs and Policies” and Award for “Development and Promotion of Sport for All”.
In accordance with past practices, at the conclusion of this year’s Conference, a declaration made under the name of the host city was approved and released. The Beijing Declaration known as “A call to action” was announced and called on sports and non-sports organisations such as governments, the health sector, schools and corporations, to embrace the spirit of Sport for Alland promote participation by all sectors of society in sport and physical activity.
Delegates of Macao Sport Development Board participated in this year’s Conference where they carried out extensive exchanges with participants from around the world and grasped the latest situation on the development of sports of all in the world by participating in workshops of different topics, case sharing and seminars, and gained better understanding of the successes and problems encountered in different countries and regions in the area of sport for all development. Such experience will have far-reaching and promotional impact in the planning, development and further promotion of sports of all in Macao
