(ATR) Sport, business and religious leaders join together at the inaugural "Sport at the Service of Humanity" conference to explore how shared values can better serve mankind.
Flanked by U.N. secretary general Ban Ki-Moon and International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach, His Holiness Pope Francis addressed attendees at the opening ceremony at Vatican City, denouncing corruption and doping in sport, while challenging sport leaders.
"The challenge is that of maintaining the honesty of sport, of protecting it from the manipulations and commercial abuse," Pope Francis said during his opening speech at Paul VI Hall on Wednesday evening.
"It would be sad for sport and for humanity if people were unable to trust in the truth of sporting results, or if cynicism and disenchantment were to drown out enthusiasm or joyful and disinterested participation.
"In sport, as in life, competing for the result is important, but playing well and fairly is even more important," Pope Francis said. "I trust that these days of meeting and reflection will allow you to explore further the good that sport and faith can bring to our societies."
Bach was welcomed by the Pope, during an inspiring opening ceremony which included operatic performances, ballroom and progressive dancing and a demonstration by a World Taekwondo Federation team.
"Sport and faith share many values, but there are also distinct differences, both bringing people together to encourage dialogue and acceptance," Bach said.
"Your Holiness, you have eloquently described these values that link sport and faith – sport is a universal language which surpasses borders, languages, races, religions and ideologies," he said.
"Sport and faith provide meaning to different areas of human existence. When taken together, sport and faith create a powerful force to serve the greater good of advancing our common humanity," Bach stated.
Bach proceeded to highlight the IOC’s Olympic Solidarity program and the Refugee Olympic Team, which for the first time, competed at Rio 2016.
The primary objective of the three-day gathering organized by the Pontifical Council for Culture under the leadership of Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, is to launch a movement to develop life skills, character, values and enjoyment of life, through sport and faith, while inspiring all to live in accordance with the six principles of compassion, respect, love, enlightenment, balance and joy.
Two days of scheduled Plenary discussions and breakout sessions started on Thursday morning at Synod Hall. Discussing the main conference vision "Why Faith & Sport?" the themes of inspiration, inclusion and involvement will be explored.
Olympic swimming champion Kirsty Coventry, International Paralympic president Philip Craven and Mel Young, founder and president of the Homeless World Cup were among speakers who addressed the audience at Synod Hall on Thursday morning.
"To see so many spheres of our world coming together like faith leaders, spirit people, entrepreneurs, is very encouraging especially from an athlete perspective because it' s by doing something like sport that we can contribute to change the world," Coventry said during her presentation.
IOC member and FINA vice-president Sam Ramsamy moderated a breakout session addressing the refugee crisis.
Afternoon guest speakers include Right to Play founder and Olympic speed skating legend Johann Olav Koss and Jordanian IOC member Prince Feisal Al Hussein discussing lessons of peace and harmony through sport.
New IOC member Nita Ambani, the founder of the Reliance Foundation, hosts the closing session titled "Inspiring a Nation" which looks at the impact of sport on society and its ability to transcend differences.
Sport at the Service of Humanity continues on Friday, concluding with a roundtable moderated by WPP CEO Martin Sorrell, addressing sport as big business and how core values can better be preserved.
The sport and faith sessions are being held in the inspirational setting of the Synod Hall, which is normally reserved for meetings between the Pope and the Synod of Bishops, a group of bishops chosen from different regions of the world who have met together periodically since 1965.
Written by Brian Pinelli
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