Sport provides numerous benefits, from enhancing physical and mental health to fostering social connections. Ensuring that everyone has access to sport without discrimination is crucial. This  universal access to sport is the cornerstone of both the Council of Europe’s European Sports Charter and the Olympic Charter underscoring its essential importance.

As stated in the European Sports Charter (article 10): “All human beings have an inalienable right of access to sport in a safe environment […], which is essential for their personal development and instrumental in the exercise of the rights to health, education, culture and participation in the life of the community.”

The Olympic Charter (article 2) places the universality of sport at the heart of its existence “The IOC’s role is […] to encourage and support the development of sport for all.”

On the occasion of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) is devoting a series to highlight the common values of the European Sports Charter and the Olympic Charter. Each week until the end of the Games, we will focus on one aspect of these values. Follow @CoE_Sports on X to learn more!