6th IOC World Conference on Prevention of Injury & Illness in Sport
Athletes’ health at the forefront
“Every athlete knows that injury and illness represent a risk inherent to a sports career.” points out Thomas Bach, President of the IOC. “As athletes are at the heart of the Olympic Movement, it is therefore quite natural that their health be an absolute priority for the International Olympic Committee”. This World Conference is an expression of how the IOC always places athletes’ health at the forefront.
In line with this, Professor Uğur Erdener, President of the IOC’s Medical and Scientific Commission, adds: “We are duty bound to provide appropriate advice and medical care to athletes. Consequently, it is important for all the stakeholders involved – sports organisations, healthcare professionals, scientists, trainers and athletes – to consider appropriate safety measures. »
Minimise risk factors when playing sport
For H.S.H. Prince Albert II, a member of the IOC and President of COM, “the fragility of our society has been highlighted by this appalling health crisis which has placed our lives on standby, even if for a short period. This conference is more relevant than ever before because all sports events across the globe have been impacted by this epidemic. Athletes are at the heart of the Olympic Movement and are its most valuable assets. Subsequently, protecting their health should always be considered a priority and a responsibility for the stakeholders involved. Expectations are high but previous editions proved that they can be met, by delivering concrete results thanks to a collective and collaborative process which promotes the transfer of knowledge in order to minimise risk factors when playing sport. »Taking place at a pivotal moment after the Summer Games in Tokyo and just before the Winter Games in Beijing 2022, this conference is the ideal platform to share and disseminate the latest research and best practice in the prevention of injury and illness in sport.
Stéphan Maggi,
Press Officer for the Monegasque Olympic Committee
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(photo IOC)