Closing of the Global Sports Forum Barcelona 2010
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03/10/2010
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The second edition of the Global Sports Forum Barcelona ended today, with a closing session reflecting on the crisis, the Forums' creation, and concrete actions for the future.
In the very final session of the 2010 Global Sports Forum Barcelona, General Commissioner Lucien Boyer told delegates that the event had attracted 1000 participants from 60 countries. In the presence of an illustrious panel of speakers, he thanked the city of Barcelona for hosting such a dynamic and positive event. He added that 150 international journalists had covered the event across a range of traditional and new media.
His comments were endorsed by Fernando Rodes Vila, CEO of Havas, the global marketing agency whose sports and entertainment division organised the 2010 Barcelona Forum. "The Global Sports Forum was born at a dramatic point in time - but that was no co-incidence. Sport is at the heart of society and will play an active role in resolving the current global crisis."
Jaime Lissavetzky, Secretary of State for Sport in Spain, agreed that sport is fundamental to globalisation. He challenged the Forum to raise its game even further by playing a part in driving change. "I believe sports people make things happen. Sport can be a catalyst of diversity, reducing the gender imbalance and fighting against intolerance and xenophobia."
A highlight of the session was a commitment by the Global Sports Forum Barcelona and Mr Lissavetzky to raise an initial US$40,000 to help reconstruct sports facilities at a minimum of three Haitian schools. Haiti Minister of Youth, Sport and Civic Action Evans Lescouflair thanked the Forum and said: "I will return in 2011 to tell you how the money has been spent, cent by cent."
The session was closed by Pere Alcober, sports representative of Barcelona City Council who thanked delegates for their support. Present in the audience throughout was Juan Antonio Samaranch, Honorary President of the IOC.
