Much has been said in different forums, from the United Nations to the World Health Organization, about the benefits of physical activity. However, governments and the people who make governments have failed to understand and use sport as a tool for social change.
In Mexico, we have jumped from one program to another without achieving quantifiable goals that, in the long term, are reflected in a better society. Since the Greeks mentioned that sport was a source of physical, mental, and emotional strength, athletes were seen as demigods by recognizing their effort and commitment to their training and competition.
In his various writings about Olympic philosophy, Pierre de Coubertin points to sport, saying that for every man, woman, and child, sport offers an opportunity to improve themselves.
Indeed, sport is a door to knowing oneself, recognizing oneself, and exploiting the best of oneself. That is one of the reasons why society should demand the right to physical activity written in our Federal Constitution in Article 4.
Sport is not a luxury; it is not a waste of time. Instead, sport represents the possibility of giving someone a safe space to develop and improve their physical, mental, and emotional abilities and capacities are possible.
An example of what a sport can do is the Olympic refugee team managed by the International Olympic Committee. This team has helped several athletes find a new home to continue practicing their sport, live in peace, heal, and develop away from war or political persecution.
Another example is Yusra Mardini, a Syrian swimmer and UNICEF ambassador who promotes peace and sport in different parts of the world. Yusra tries to bring a message of resilience, strength, and empathy to all people living in personal and social conflict.
Therefore, I invite you to think of sport as one of the most effective and noble tools, to develop people and help to promote peace in society, and to give priority at all times to preserve the dignity of human beings and all living beings.
