Olympism and the Asia Pacific: Global Mutual Influence

4 September 2019

Olympism and the Asia Pacific: Global Mutual Influence

KEY CONCLUSIONS

Olympic values are the manifestation of the humanity’s ideals

“Olympic games are probably the only event that unites basically the whole world in peaceful competitions, in peaceful tournaments. As of today, 206 countries, 206 national Olympic committees will send their athletes to take part in the next Olympic Games in Tokyo. The motto of the Olympics – Unity in Diversity – is the ultimate expression of the humanity’s best ideals that were shaped in this model of athletic competitions,” Stanislav Pozdnyakov, President, Russian Olympic Committee.

“We believe in sport, we believe in physical culture, but most of all we believe in the values of the Olympic Movement,” Pere Miró, Deputy General Director, International Olympic Committee (IOC).

“The main goal of the Olympic Games is global peace, which is needed for the development of the whole world, for the harmony in the whole world, and to achieve it, we use sport as an instrument,” Yasuhiro Yamashita, President, Japanese Olympic Committee; Olympic Champion in Judo.

Olympic Games unite nations all over the world

“Mutual influence – a highly complementary one. Now it makes it hard to tell original European values that stemmed from the European culture from the highly important and exuberant additions that adhered with the help of the Asian part of the world,” Alexander Karelin, Hero of the Russian Federation, Three-Time Olympic Champion in Greco-Roman Wrestling.

“Modern sport technologies see no boundaries. All sports have become very cosmopolitan: borders are open, technologies and methods are common knowledge, and various coaches are involved in other countries’ training programmes. This is yet another part of sport cultures intertwining. This process cannot be stopped, and it makes no sense to do it. It should only be supported," Stanislav Pozdnyakov, President, Russian Olympic Committee.

“It is not just athletes that interact at the Olympic Games. It is countries interacting, and it is the spirit of uniting and unity that is the specialty feature of major competitions, and the Olympic Games are the top competitions in the athletic world. This is very important,” Konstantin Vybornov, Head of Information Service, Media Relations Officer, Russian Olympic Committee.

Developing physical education and sport in Russia is among the government’s priorities

“Russia pays great attention to physical education and sports. <…> Physical education and sport are not just about athletic facilities. It is also pre-schools and education institutions. It means cooperating with other ministries and agencies, as well as governors’ efforts on the regional level,” Igor Levitin, Aide to the President of the Russian Federation.

Investments in sport help economic development

“When it comes to economic stability and growth, large countries of the region take sport development and physical education very seriously. They invest a lot in it, because it is truly important. <…> Olympic Games is a beautiful event that draws attention from a lot of people and has a real impact on the economic development,” Marius Vizer, President, International Judo Federation (IJF).

PROBLEMS

Politics interferes with sport

“Politics should not interfere with sport, because it is not just the future of sport that depends on it – it is the future of the mankind. It is sport that unites us and the discord among the politicians that separates us,” Marius Vizer, President, International Judo Federation (IJF).

“No country should organize Olympic Games and take the responsibility, if this country is not ready host people from all the Olympic countries regardless of their political views or beliefs and membership in any societies or communities,” Pere Miró, Deputy General Director, International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Physical education and sport accessibility needs improvement

“Today, unfortunately not all people in our country can be involved in physical education or practice sports. This very important for our country,” Igor Levitin, Aide to the President of the Russian Federation.

“Keeping target audience – young people who practice sports – is key to maintaining or boosting audience interest to Olympic sports. We need to create conditions for different kinds of sport, but some of them are hard to maintain. Let’s take winter sports with luge and bobsleigh tracks. They are scarce, so these sports are hard to practice,” Stanislav Pozdnyakov, President, Russian Olympic Committee.

SOLUTIONS

Improving sports accessibility

“At least 55% of the country’s population should have permanent access to athletic facilities. Based on our population, it should be at least 80 million people. This is the target we need to reach in Russia,” Igor Levitin, Aide to the President of the Russian Federation.

Developing sports infrastructure in the Eastern part of Russia

“Russia is self-sufficient when it comes to its athletic facilities, however we have a whole set of critical benefits that we can use in our preparation for the Games here in the Far East: many time zones, which can be difficult, but at the same time it can become an opportunity to get ready for the Olympic Games in Asia in our own facilities,” Stanislav Pozdnyakov, President, Russian Olympic Committee.

“Russia is not just its European part. Half of Russia is Asia, and the Far Eastern region plays an important role in the country’s development. Asia Pacific is a fairly important part of the world, and we all need to be friends and cooperate somehow,” Koji Murofushi, Sports Director, Tokyo 2020; Olympic Hammer Throwing Champion.

“Asia Pacific is an Olympic region. In 2020 and 2022, we will be carrying out the plans approved by the International Olympic Committee,” Igor Levitin, Aide to the President of the Russian Federation.

Athletes need to be better trained

“We need to pay attention to developing sports and improving athletes’ results. It will help strengthening Olympic heritage and the Olympic Movement,” Lee Kee-Heung, President, Korean Sport & Olympic Committee.

“What matters is that everyone needs to get trained on equal level, and then the strongest one wins,” Vladimir Uiba, Head of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency.

Using principles of sustainable development in preparing for Olympic Games

“We are trying our best to make environmental impact, the impact on cities positive before the Olympic Games,” Li Lingwei, Vice President, Chinese Olympic Committee.

“For the first time in history of the Olympic Games, we are using recycled materials, recycled gadgets to make Olympic medals. This is how we contribute to sustainable development and environmental protection of our planet,” Koji Murofushi, Sports Director, Tokyo 2020; Olympic Hammer Throwing Champion.

For more information, visit the Roscongress Foundation's Information and Analytical System at roscongress.org/en.

Olympism and the Asia Pacific: Global Mutual Influence

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