World Olympians Association Backs #WhiteCard digital Campaign

27 | 3 | 2017

With less than two weeks to go until the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, World Olympians Association (WOA) is urging Olympians around the world to get behind Peace and Sport’s #WhiteCard digital campaign as a symbolic action for fostering peace and understanding through sport.

The annual campaign recognises the importance of the United Nations’ International Day of Sport for Development and Peace on April 6. Officially declared by the UN in 2013 and supported by the International Olympic Committee, April 6 is a day that celebrates the power of sport to drive social change and community development, foster peace and promote understanding. It falls on the anniversary of first modern Olympic Games in 1896.

As part of the #WhiteCard campaign Olympians, members of the Olympic Family and wider sports community are invited to share a photo of themselves on social media using the hash tags #WhiteCard and #IDSDP2017 and holding up a symbolic white card to show their commitment to peace efforts worldwide.

This year Peace and Sport is encouraging people to add a location in the post or to take their photo against identifiable and iconic backgrounds such as the Eiffel Tower, Copacabana Beach, the Statue of Liberty, Tokyo Tower or Sydney Harbour Bridge so that the shared images tell the story of the universal nature of the campaign and demonstrate the connectedness of the global community on the peace through sport movement. Olympians can also upload details of their planned activities and events to Peace and Sport’s April 6 website – a platform dedicated to promoting initiatives that celebrate International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.

“Olympians are a source of inspiration for young people everywhere, putting them in a unique position to act as leaders within their communities, drive awareness around social issues and help create a more harmonious world,” said Joël Bouzou, WOA President and President and Founder of Peace and Sport. “By coming together and sharing the Olympic values we can utilise the power of sport to promote tolerance and understanding. 

“With the fourth year of International Day of Sport for Development and Peace nearly upon us, I call on all Olympians to get behind the #WhiteCard campaign and demonstrate our shared commitment to fostering peace and reconciliation through sport around the world,” he added.

Three-time Tour de France winner and Olympian Chris Froome has been a long-time supporter of the campaign. As a Peace and Sport Champion for Peace he also encouraged Olympians to get involved.

“From the high plateaus of Kenya to the banks of the Thames, sport is a source of inspiration and motivation for young people. I hope that #WhiteCard will encourage more people to develop sports projects for peace around the world.”

More information about Peace and Sport’s April 6 and #WhiteCard campaign can be found here: https://www.april6.org/en/white-card.html

Image credit: Peace and Sport