Statement by the Sports Ministers. Brussels
- Detalles
- Categoría: Legislación Derecho Europeo, Transfronterizo del Deporte
- Fuente: www.europa.eu.int
Statement by the Sports Ministers of the European Union Menber States pertaining to Sport Safety, the Fight against Doping and the Specific Function of Sport within the Context of Community Integration
Recalling the conclusions of the European Council in Nice on the specific characteristics of sport and
its social function in Europe,
Supported by the 1999 Helsinki report on sport, presented by the Commission to the European
Council “with a view to safeguarding current sports structures and maintaining the social function of
sport within the Community framework”,
With reference to the European Community initiatives announced in the Community support plan to
combat doping in sport (1999),
The Sports Ministers of the 15 EU Member States, assembled in Brussels on 12 November 2001,
underline
I
With regard to safety and tolerance in sports
In a world in which international tensions have escalated considerably, sport can often help to
reconcile people from different countries and cultures. Sport and the Olympic ideal must play a greater
role, and bring a message of tolerance and mutual respect.
Taking account of the priority which has to be given to the safety of all those involved in sports events,
the Ministers are of the opinion that everything possible must be done that all sports events and in
particular the next Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City and the World Cup Football 2002 to take
place in conditions of optimum safety and honesty, and with the highest possible number of
participants.
The Ministers strongly urge to take all necessary measures be taken to combat racism and
xenophobia in sports.
II
With regard to the fight against doping
The use of doping agents does not conform to the call for tolerance and mutual respect.
Consequently, the Ministers call on the EU Member States and the Community institutions to do
everything within their competences to put a stop to this abuse. Doping no longer seems to be a
marginal phenomenon in the world of sports, but it is an increasingly heavy burden on the credibility of
sport. It is unacceptable that sportsmen and sportswomen and their entourage should attempt to
engage in the deceitful manipulation of sporting challenges and to endanger their own health.
In view of the increased mobility of sportsmen and sportswomen and the growing number of
international competitions, all sports federations and public authorities concerned are encouraged
within the framework of their competences, to work closely together with WADA to implement the
international standards for doping control and to use it as the basis for mutual cooperation, including to
accept the result of testing from countries within the European Union.
In addition, the sports federations and public authorities, as appropriate, are encouraged to work
towards a greater efficiency in the application of sportive sanctions including the examination of the
issue of mutual recognition of sportive sanctions.
III
With regard to the future role and the specific characteristics of sports
Finally, the Ministers recall the Nice Declaration and encourage an open debate on the social,
educational and cultural values in Sport in order to guarantee the specific characteristics of Sport in
Europe at all levels.