The European Sports Charter and the Olympic Charter Series
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 of these values. Follow @CoE_Sports on X to learn more!
The European Sports Charter and the Olympic Charter Series: part 10 of 10
The beauty of sport: the European Sports Charter and the Olympic Charter
Sport is an opportunity; it teaches us tolerance and respect. It allows us to push back our limits and learn from one another, often erasing differences and frontiers. It makes us stronger in many respects. For over five decades, the Council of Europe has contributed to making sport more ethical,...
The European Sports Charter and the Olympic Charter Series: part 9 of 10
Sustainability in sport: the European Sports Charter and the Olympic Charter
Major sports events bring joy and a sense of community. However, they have a strong environmental, social and economic impact. It is fundamental to ensure that such events are as sustainable as possible. Sustainability in sport is a fundamental principle of both the Council of Europe’s European...
The European Sports Charter and the Olympic Charter Series: part 8 of 10
The power of education in the European Sports Charter and the Olympic Charter
Sport is a fundamental vehicle for teaching human rights and democracy. Physical education and sport that are accessible to all lead to healthier, more inclusive societies. Education in and through sport is a fundamental principle of both the Council of Europe’s European Sports Charter and the...
The European Sports Charter and the Olympic Charter Series: part 7 of 10
Promoting gender equality in and through sport: the European Sports Charter and the Olympic Charter
Promoting greater gender equality in and through sport is a fundamental goal of both the Council of Europe’s European Sports Charter and the Olympic Charter. As stated in the European Sports Charter (Article 6): “The human rights due diligence approach […] should […] work towards gender equality...
The European Sports Charter and the Olympic Charter Series: part 6 of 10
Inclusion and anti-discrimination: zero tolerance for violence and discrimination in sport!
Discrimination has no place in sport. Promoting sport that is inclusive and exempt from any kind of violence or discrimination is a fundamental goal of both the Council of Europe’s European Sports Charter and the Olympic Charter. As stated in the European Sports Charter (Article 6): “The human...
The European Sports Charter and the Olympic Charter Series: part 5 of 10
Sport for all: the access to sport considered as a fundamental right
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 European Sports Charter and the Olympic Charter series: part 4 of 10
Fair play, or how to foster respect and fellowship through sport
Promoting fair play means so much more than just playing by the rules. The Council of Europe’s European Sports Charter and the Olympic Charter both place fair play at the core of the values-based sport model. The European Sports Charter, Article 8 underlines the power of fair play as a vehicle of...
The European Sports Charter and the Olympic Charter series: part 3 of 10
Sport integrity: together for a democratic, transparent and ethical sport
The Council of Europe’s European Sports Charter and the Olympic Charter both promote a values-based sport, with specific provisions on safeguarding its integrity: Article 8 of the European Sports Charter emphasises that “the pursuit of sport integrity should commit all stakeholders and […]...
The European Sports Charter and the Olympic Charter series: part 2 of 10
Human rights in and through sport: the European Sports Charter and the Olympic Charter
The Council of Europe’s European Sports Charter and the Olympic Charter both promote values-based sport, with specific provisions on the protection of human rights in sport. The European Sports Charter (article 6) states: “All stakeholders shall respect and protect internationally recognised...
The European Sports Charter and the Olympic Charter series: part 1 of 10
The European Sports Charter and the Olympic Charter: two pillars for values-based sport
The European Sports Charter is the Council of Europe standard which lays down the basic principles for national sports policies, allowing governments to provide everyone with opportunities to practise sport under well-defined conditions. The Olympic Charter is the codification of the fundamental...
The Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) provides a platform for intergovernmental sports co-operation between the public authorities of its member states. It also encourages dialogue between public authorities, sports federations and NGOs. This contributes to better governance, with the aim of making sport more ethical, more inclusive and safer.