Latest news with #Olympism
Sydney Morning Herald
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Do not get involved': Arbib's warning to Australian Olympians about Enhanced Games
Australian Olympic Committee chief Mark Arbib has warned any Australian athletes who are considering a tilt at the Enhanced Games next year to think again, saying their involvement would not be supported or sanctioned. Arbib has taken a dim view of plans for the Enhanced Games to be launched next year in Las Vegas, including events in swimming, athletics, and weightlifting and with a format that will pit clean athletes against those who have taken performance-enhancing drugs under supervision for the same lucrative prize money. 'It's a dangerous and risky venture,' Arbib said on Friday. 'People need to remember drugs in sport are banned primarily for health reasons. We care about the welfare of the athletes. We care about the welfare of the community. Taking drugs can negatively impact your health, but it can also lead to death. 'So any event that is promoting the use of performance enhancing drugs, promoting the use of steroids, is not something that we would ever be associated with or sanction. 'It's the complete opposite of what the Olympic movement stands for. We stand for a level playing field. We stand for the principles of Olympism. And this venture, this commercial venture, is about making money and about undermining the global anti-drug enforcement strategies and networks that are in place.' Founded by Australian entrepreneur Aron D'Souza, the Enhanced Games plans to pay $US250,000 for each gold medal and $US1 million to anyone who breaks a world record in the 100m sprint or 50m freestyle swimming. Organisers say all athletes – clean or enhanced – will be paid appearance fees, which is where temptation might creep in for Olympians to consider entering, in the knowledge that they would not have to take drugs or otherwise risk their health or status. However, the concern among those across sporting bodies is that that could potentially legitimise what is one of the most contentious and controversial ventures ever seen in modern sport.
The Age
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Age
‘Do not get involved': Arbib's warning to Australian Olympians about Enhanced Games
Australian Olympic Committee chief Mark Arbib has warned any Australian athletes who are considering a tilt at the Enhanced Games next year to think again, saying their involvement would not be supported or sanctioned. Arbib has taken a dim view of plans for the Enhanced Games to be launched next year in Las Vegas, including events in swimming, athletics, and weightlifting and with a format that will pit clean athletes against those who have taken performance-enhancing drugs under supervision for the same lucrative prize money. 'It's a dangerous and risky venture,' Arbib said on Friday. 'People need to remember drugs in sport are banned primarily for health reasons. We care about the welfare of the athletes. We care about the welfare of the community. Taking drugs can negatively impact your health, but it can also lead to death. 'So any event that is promoting the use of performance enhancing drugs, promoting the use of steroids, is not something that we would ever be associated with or sanction. 'It's the complete opposite of what the Olympic movement stands for. We stand for a level playing field. We stand for the principles of Olympism. And this venture, this commercial venture, is about making money and about undermining the global anti-drug enforcement strategies and networks that are in place.' Founded by Australian entrepreneur Aron D'Souza, the Enhanced Games plans to pay $US250,000 for each gold medal and $US1 million to anyone who breaks a world record in the 100m sprint or 50m freestyle swimming. Organisers say all athletes – clean or enhanced – will be paid appearance fees, which is where temptation might creep in for Olympians to consider entering, in the knowledge that they would not have to take drugs or otherwise risk their health or status. However, the concern among those across sporting bodies is that that could potentially legitimise what is one of the most contentious and controversial ventures ever seen in modern sport.
Zawya
07-04-2025
- Health
- Zawya
World Health Day Youth Charter Calls for Greater Emphasis on Universal Sport and Physical Activity to Improve Health and Well-Being of Young People and Communities
In recognition of World Health Day, the Youth Charter ( is issuing a renewed call for universal access to sport and physical activity as a fundamental pillar of public health, particularly in the lives of young people and the communities in which they live. With rising global concerns around mental health, childhood obesity, non-communicable diseases, and widening health inequalities, the Youth Charter believes that sport and physical activity must be prioritised as preventative, accessible, and cost-effective solutions that promote lifelong health and well-being. Geoff Thompson, Founder and Chair of the Youth Charter, said: "World Health Day reminds us that health is a human right. Sport and physical activity are vital contributors to that right, providing not only physical benefits, but also social, emotional, and mental resilience. From schools to parks, playgrounds to community centres, every young person deserves the opportunity to move, play, and thrive. This is of particular importance in the lives of Pan African young people and communities." The Youth Charter's Community Campuses and Social Coach Leadership Programme offer proven pathways to embed sport into the daily lives of youth and their communities. These initiatives provide structured opportunities for engagement, mentorship, and personal development through sport, arts, culture, and digital innovation. In alignment with the World Health Organisation's theme for World Health Day and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Youth Charter is calling on: Governments and Public Health Authorities to integrate sport and physical activity into health and education strategies. Schools and Community Organisations to ensure inclusive access to physical activity opportunities for all children and young people. Health Professionals and Practitioners to prescribe movement and physical activity as part of holistic health plans. Parents and Caregivers to champion active lifestyles at home and within their communities. This World Health Day, the Youth Charter reaffirms its commitment to a healthier, more active generation. By placing sport at the heart of health and community policy, we can tackle today's health challenges and invest in a brighter, more sustainable future for all. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Youth Charter. For media inquiries, interviews, or partnership opportunities, please contact: For further information, contact: contact@ Youth Charter @ Social Media: @ YouthCharter @ YouthCharter @ youthchartersdp @ YouthCharter @ YOUTHCHARTER Youth Charter #Hashtags: #InternationalOlympicCommittee #Olympism #Fight4theStreets #YoungLivesLost #Call2Action #LegacyOpportunity4All #SportDevelopmentPeace #Empowerthenextgeneration #CommonwealthSecretariat #UNSustainableDevelopmentGoals About Youth Charter: The Youth Charter is a UK registered charity and UN accredited non-governmental organisation. Launched in 1993 as part of the Manchester 2000 Olympic Bid and the 2002 Commonwealth Games, the Youth Charter has Campaigned and Promoted the role and value of sport, art, culture and digital technology in the lives of disaffected young people from disadvantaged communities nationally and internationally. The Youth Charter has a proven track record in the creation and delivery of social and human development programmes with the overall aim of providing young people with an opportunity to develop in life. Specifically, The Youth Charter Tackles educational non-attainment, health inequality, anti-social behaviour and the negative effects of crime, drugs, gang related activity and racism by applying the ethics of sporting and artistic excellence. These can then be translated to provide social and economic benefits of citizenship, rights responsibilities, with improved education, health, social order, environment and college, university, employment and enterprise. The Youth Charter ( is a UK registered charity and United Nations Non-Governmental Organization. Address: Youth Charter Dame Mary Glen Haig Office for Sport for Development and Peace London Stadium Learning London Stadium, London, E20 2ST
Zawya
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Youth Charter celebrates 32 years: A call for greater support for its Community Campus and Sport for Development for Peace
The Youth Charter ( proudly marks its 32nd anniversary, celebrating over three decades of using sport as a catalyst for social change. As we reflect on our journey, we reaffirm our call for greater support in advancing the Youth Charter Community Campus model—providing safe, inclusive, and transformative spaces where young people from disadvantaged and disaffected communities can thrive through sport, art, culture, and digital engagement. This milestone comes at a historic moment for global sport. With the election of Africa's first woman IOC President, we witness a groundbreaking shift towards greater equity, representation, and opportunity in international sport leadership. This is further reinforced by the evolving IOC-UN Accord, which strengthens the role of sport as a tool for sustainable development, peace, and inclusion. The Youth Charter stands ready to build on these global commitments by driving grassroots change. The Community Campus initiative offers young people and their communities the resources, mentorship, and structured pathways they need to develop skills, confidence, and resilience. However, for these efforts to reach their full potential, we call for: Increased investment from policymakers, businesses, and governing bodies to expand our Community Campus network. Stronger partnerships with national and international sports organisations to embed sport for development at every level. Greater recognition of sport's role in addressing social inequality, mental health, and economic opportunities for young people. "At a time when global sport is embracing diversity, inclusion, and development, we must ensure that these principles translate into tangible action for the most marginalized communities,' said Geoff Thompson, Founder of Youth Charter. "We urge all stakeholders, governments, private sector leaders, and the international sporting community to support initiatives like the Youth Charter Community Campus and truly unlock sport's potential as a force for good.' As we celebrate 32 years of impact, the Youth Charter remains committed to ensuring that every young person, regardless of background, has access to the life-changing opportunities that sport can provide. Join us in shaping a more equitable future, one where sport transforms lives, communities, and society as a whole. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Youth Charter. For further information, contact: contact@ Youth Charter @Social Media: Linkedin: @ YouthCharter Facebook: @ YouthCharter Instagram: @ youthchartersdp Youtube: @ YouthCharter Twitter: @ YOUTHCHARTER Youth Charter #Hashtags: #International Olympic Committee #Olympism #Fight4theStreets #YoungLivesLost #Call2Action #LegacyOpportunity4All #SportDevelopmentPeace #Empowerthenextgeneration #CommonwealthSecretariat #UNSustainableDevelopmentGoals About Youth Charter: The Youth Charter is a UK registered charity and UN accredited non-governmental organisation. Launched in 1993 as part of the Manchester 2000 Olympic Bid and the 2002 Commonwealth Games, the Youth Charter has Campaigned and Promoted the role and value of sport, art, culture and digital technology in the lives of disaffected young people from disadvantaged communities nationally and internationally. The Youth Charter has a proven track record in the creation and delivery of social and human development programmes with the overall aim of providing young people with an opportunity to develop in life. Specifically, The Youth Charter Tackles educational non-attainment, health inequality, anti-social behaviour and the negative effects of crime, drugs, gang related activity and racism by applying the ethics of sporting and artistic excellence. These can then be translated to provide social and economic benefits of citizenship, rights responsibilities, with improved education, health, social order, environment and college, university, employment and enterprise. The Youth Charter ( is a UK registered charity and United Nations Non-Governmental Organization. Address: Youth Charter Dame Mary Glen Haig Office for Sport for Development and Peace London Stadium Learning London Stadium London E20 2ST
CAF
21-03-2025
- Sport
- CAF
CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe congratulates Newly-Elected IOC President Ms. Kirsty Coventry
Published: Thursday, 20 March 2025 The Confédération Africaine de Football ('CAF') President, Dr Patrice Motsepe congratulates newly elected President of the International Olympic Committee ('IOC'), Ms. Kirsty Coventry. Ms. Coventry, the current Minister of Youth, Art, Sport and Recreation in Zimbabwe, has made history by becoming the first African and the first woman to be elected President of the IOC. CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe said: 'On behalf of the CAF Member Associations who represent 54 African countries, we would like to express our heartfelt congratulations to Ms. Kirsty Coventry on her election as President of the IOC. Her election as President of the IOC fills us with enormous pride and is also a recognition of her outstanding achievements and embodiment of the philosophy of Olympism. We wish her everything of the very best.' For further enquiries, please contact: CAF Communications communications@
