This Tuesday April 6 took place the International Day of Sport in the service of Development and Peace.
In this context, Peace and Sport, the international organization which was created in 2007 under the impetus of the former world champion in modern pentathlon Joël Bouzou, continued its #WhiteCard digital campaign.
Founded in 2015, it brings together many personalities - athletes, politicians, the general public - wishing to engage in the peace movement through sport by brandishing a symbolic white card.
Thus, on Tuesday, current champions, such as the four-time world judo champion Clarisse Agbegnenou, or past, like the footballer Didier Drogba or the three-time Olympic canoe-kayak champion Tony Estanguet, now president of Paris 2024, played the game and relayed the message advocated by Peace and Sport: “Behind every WhiteCard, there is a story.
A story where sport promotes reconciliation and coexistence within and between communities.
A story where sport contributes to building more inclusive societies and combats all forms of discrimination.
A story where sport contributes to the fight against gender stereotypes and gender-based violence.
A story where sport breaks traditional barriers and encourages intercultural and interreligious understanding.
A story where sport connects, inspires and empowers young girls and boys.
A story where sport, as a universal language, prevents interpersonal violence and helps achieve the goals of peace.
As Champions for Peace, we believe that sport has the power to change lives and build peaceful societies. ”
Holding this “WhiteCard”, like a referee, has been recognized as the symbol of the peace through sport movement and it is an action that symbolizes the positive power of sport.
Unlike the red card, which signifies the most serious offense in sport, the “WhiteCard” is a gesture of inclusion, equality and peace.
Symbolically, it enables sports organizations, international institutions, governments, athletes and civil society to act and promote themselves within the sport for development and peace movement and to identify themselves as being socially aware. and engaged.
“Today, more than ever, sport can inspire, give courage and hope because it is a powerful tool to strengthen fraternity and cooperation, analyzes Joël Bouzou.
In this time of crisis, the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace celebrated on April 6 is an auspicious day to send a strong message of global solidarity and to strengthen our ties with one another in an indissoluble way through the sport."
Read also
Zlatan Ibrahimovic criticized for killing a lion ... in 2011