Sport, Education and Culture

The Rio 2016 commission was proud to be present at the official opening of the VI World Forum on Sport, Education and Culture, in Busan, South Korea, which took place on Thursday 25 September. Organized by the International Olympic Committee in partnership with UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), the event is considered highly important by Rio 2016. The theme is clearly a top priority, given that our bid is based on social transformation through sport, education and culture. The 2016 Rio Commission is here in Busan to participate, learn and exchange ideas at this crucial time in which we finalize our plans for Rio’s Candidature File.

On the opening day, Lambis Nikolau, IOC Vice President, spoke of the importance of the world’s youth, and the youth of the next generation, for the future of the Olympic Movement. The IOC’s new campaign, whose slogan is “Sport brings out the best in you,” is designed to stimulate young people to practice more sport and live healthily.

Afterwards, Zhenliang He, member of the IOC Executive Committee, introduced the main theme of the event – “Sport and Education for the now generation” – and emphasized the importance of sport in building cultural identities and celebrating diversity. He argued that the Olympic Values need to be promoted around the world to new generations. “Olympism can contribute to a better world, and sport and education are the vehicles for this.”