Leading figures from across sports including European Athletics Vice President Jean Gracia gathered in Brussels last week for a conference on Good Governance staged midway through the second edition of the European Week of Sport.
Alongside initiatives and events being staged at grassroots level across the continent, efforts are being made at an administrative level to raise governance standards and promote the principles of democracy, transparency, accountability in decision-making, and inclusiveness in the representation of interested stakeholders.
A range of pertinent topics were discussed during the seminar, including cheating, doping and match fixing. Gracia recognises the credibility of sport and faith in governance has been damaged by recent revelations of cheating and foul-play in sport and pledges that IAAF and European Athletics will set an example to their Member Federations by providing strong governance.
'What is important is the value the sport delivers to participants, fans and other stakeholders. Athletics will regain trust by our acts. European Member Federations must also do something in the area of governance. European Athletics is ready to help with guidance and support,' said Gracia.
Fresh from winning a silver medal at the Olympic Games, the Spanish rhythmic gymnastics team - who are #BeActive ambassadors - put on a spectacular performance for the assembled guests and the conference also recognised individuals and institutions who have endorsed the #BeActive message, the cornerstone of European Week of Sport.
Eesti Energia won the #BeActive Workplace Award; St Clare’s Primary School in Ireland won the #BeActive Education Award; and the organisers of the Ghetto Games project in Latvia claimed the #BeActive Local Hero award.
With encouragement from European Athletics, a total of 132 races are being staged in conjunction with European Week of Sport to promote physical activity and well-being, while 12 of those races have also been certified by European Athletics Running For All.