Already awarded last year for an April6 initiative that raised awareness of sport as a tool for development and peace in Mexico, the Alfredo Harp Foundation is getting mobilized again this year with an ambitious program promoting sport for development and peace.
The program of the celebration extends over a week. During the six days preceding April6, sports tournaments will be organized in schools and communities to promote physical activity and sports as a tool for social development. Commemorative medals from the many sports partners as well as WhiteCards and Peace and Sport’s logo masks and t-shirts will be distributed. Volunteers will raise their WhiteCards in emblematic places in the country, and will capture the moment in photos that they will post on their social networks, thus actively participating in the #WhiteCard campaign.
For this April6 commemoration, the Alfredo Harp Helu Foundation has partnered with the Mexican government to implement its “Together for Peace” strategy, highlighting the positive power of sports. By the end of April6, the goal is to have raised awareness of the benefits of sport to reduce physical inactivity, foster social recognition and sense of belonging, and provide access to medical care for the Olympic and Paralympic sport community.
Estonian athletes are calling on everyone to support the Ukrainian war refugees with a message #üheskoos (together) to celebrate International Day of Sport for Peace and Development.
More than 3,800,000 people have fled Ukraine due to the war, leaving their homeland and former lives behind. More than 20,000 of Ukraine war refugees have found temporary refuge in Estonia. As athletes, we support their presence here and we want them to feel welcomed. We believe that by joining forces we can get out of difficulties and rise again. We therefore call on the sports people to support the refugees, because only together we are able to overcome this difficult situation.
Among others, the white card message #üheskoos was communicated by the members the Athletes Commission, Olympic champion in the discus throw Gerd Kanter, Olympic bronze winner in rowing Allar Raja and bodybuilder Ott Kiivikas; Olympic champion in épée fencing Irina Embrich, Olympic champion in cross-country skiing Kristina Šmigun-Vähi; Olympic bronze medallist in freestyle skiing Kelly Sildaru, nordic combined athlete Kristjan Ilves, sprinter Karl-Erik Nazarov and Estonian national football team.
The celebration of the 6 April was initiated by the International Olympic Committee and the UN as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. This day is dedicated to how sport can make society better: sport can unite people, contribute to dialogue, and foster care and understanding. The symbol of the day is the white card: while the red card in sports stands for a major violation, on 6 April, athletes all over the world show the white card which symbolises tolerance, caring and positive attitude. In Estonia, the White Card Day is promoted by the Estonian Olympic Committee.
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