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Peace and Sport has Reached New Heights
an article by Tom Degun, Inside the Games
Joël Bouzou, the President and founder of Peace
and Sport, claimed that the sixth edition of the
annual forum here in Sochi has helped the movement
reach new heights. The historic forum in the
Black Sea resort saw the event staged outside
Monaco for the first time with nearly 70 nations
represented in the host city of the 2014 Winter
Olympics and Paralympics.
Joël Bouzou
click on photo to enlarge
Bouzou claimed in his closing speech that the
event had once again attracted global peace
through the sports community and helped forged
stronger relations with political representatives
and athletes from around the world with the goal
of spreading peace. "It was a major challenge
[staging the event in Sochi] and I can proudly say
that it was a successful challenge," he said.
"The Peace and Sport community becomes more
enriched from year to year and projects are
proliferating.
"By organising the sixth forum outside of our
Monaco cradle, in a Russia in full evolution, we
have embarked on a new era for our movement.
"More than ever, we are determined to convince
decision makers around the world, and in
particular the private sector, to become committed
alongside us. "In pushing the boundaries, we
discover new horizons and we set ourselves a new
more ambitious goal: to give sport the place it
deserves in society."
The three-day forum in Sochi was also praised in a
special message from Russia's President Vladimir
Putin. "We are proud that such a respectable
forum is being held in our nation," said Putin in
a telegram sent to forum organisers and delegates.
"We are all united by an understanding of the
enormous social and cultural significance of
sports and the Olympic movement for the modern
world. "We know how important it is to engage
young people in sports culture and teach them the
value of a healthy lifestyle. "I am certain that
this forum will live up to its high level of
prestige, making a significant input into
strengthening international cooperation in sports
and promoting the noble Olympic ideals."
The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who was also
in attendance, echoed the praise. "I am pleased
to greet this impressive gathering of friends of
sport at the Peace and Sport International Forum
in Sochi," he said. "Sport gives us access to a
large and diverse sample of populations and the
opportunity to foster a culture of peace on a
broad basis. Sport's values and norms help build
tolerant societies so I thank you for your
leadership."
In April 2013, Peace and Sport will organise its
first regional forum in Dubai aimed at decision-
makers from the Middle East while the organisation
is also developing regional hubs in the United
States, China and France.
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[Editor's note. The following article was sent in to CPNN by Ron Davis, Assistant Coach Cross Country / Track and Field
The Ohio State University. ]
'Lost Boy of Sudan' still running at Northern Arizona
By Bob Baum, AP Sports Writer
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Lopez Lomong was 6 years old when, in the dark of night, he and three older boys crawled through a small hole in a fence and ran barefoot for three days to escape their Sudanese rebel captors.
Sixteen years later, in the pines of Flagstaff with a comfortable life he never imagined, he is running still. . .
Next week, Lomong, a sophomore at Northern Arizona University, will be among the favorites in the 1,500 meters at the NCAA track and field championships in Sacramento, Calif.
"I have to picture myself when I was six years old, running from the death I saw. " he said. "God brought me over here safe and gave me the opportunity and ability to run. . ...more.
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