4th Athletes for Social Change ForumDr Emese Ivan

Assistant Professor St John’s University (NY)

International Fair Play Committee (CIFP) - brief history

Youth Olympic Games (YOG) - promise and reality

CIFP’s strategy at YOG Pros and cons in CIFP’s participation at

YOG Conclusion Further research

Founded by UNESCO in 1963 (Paris) CIFP’s mission is to defend and promote fair play worldwide

CIFP is aimed at national and international sport and educational organizations with emphasis on training end education of youth

Professional athletes have a special place in mentoring

Pivotal role in supporting education on as well as practice of fair play on and off the field

Annual Fair Play Awards (in categories such as act, career, promotion and youth) since 1965

The notion of fair play is understood differently at different periods of time in history – sports mirror society

1960 Rome Olympics – cyclist Knud Jensen lost his life as a result of prohibited substances

1965 Inaugural Fair Play Awards Ceremony is held and the first Pierre the Coubertin Trophy is awarded

1970s: steps to establish cooperation with UNESCO and IOC

1980s: international seminars and forums with participation of top leaders of sport and politics: fights against doping, commercialism, violence in sport AND issues “Fair Play for All”

1990s: work with media and international sports law organizations (Willie Daume dies in 1996)

Revitalization and revamp to keep pace with the expectation of new generations and new expectations

Summer (2010; 2014) and Winter Games (2012; 2016) – newest IOC initiative targeting young athletes (15-18 years)

Competitive as well as cultural and educational programs are equally important (some critique exists – Judge et all 2007;2012; Ivan et all 2008; 2014 – but so does positive feedback – Torres 2015.)

Fact: new, attractive sport competitions are included; mixed teams; focus on friendship, learning, educational, and sharing experiences among young athletes

YOG’s CEP has 5 themes: Olympism; Social Responsibility; Skills Development; Expression; Well Being, and Healthy Lifestyle

CIFP has been part of the CEP since 2010- Promote Sportsmanship- The Notion of Fair Play- Theory into Practice via interactive games

Lillehammer (2016): Learn & Share activities- http://www.olympic.org/news/technology-bringing-real-world-issues-to-life-for-young-athletes-at-lillehammer-2016/248482

Focus on Elite athletes Some positive developments over years:

- mixed gender competition- mixed nation teams- better structured CEP (Learn & Share)

Still no focus on athletes with disability CIFP in alliance with its founders (international

sport press and council of sport and phys ed) established Athletes Role Model/Ambassador and Sports Journalist/YOG Press programs

BUT there is no involvement for broader young athletes (YOG participation: 3000 in Summer, 1000 in Winter Games only)

CIFP is in a ‘transition phase’ to adopt to requirements and tasks of the 21st century:- how to approach fair play and introduce it to the next generation?- how to define the notion of fair play for the 21st century - in theory?- how to deliver this new notion to young athletes of the 21st century - in practice?- how to reach out to the broadest group of young athletes?

What is the place and role of CIFP in defining ‘fair play?’

How to bring institutions (CIFP, IOC, IFs, NOC, IGOs and INGOs) back into the analysis of ‘acting fair and being fair’ in the 21st century? Are they the trend setters or followers of youth expectations?

Whose benefit? The institutions? The athletes? The growing number of sponsors and media?

What is with those without participation? Athletes with disabilities? Any idea/plan to set up a Youth Paralympics? Why or why not?

IF you are interested take the following quiz on Fair Play.

http://www.fairplayinternational.org/quiz/startquiz/id/3/m/66

Thanks for your attention!