The International Olympic Committee (IOC) condemns racism in the strongest terms.

The IOC stands for non-discrimination as one of the founding pillars of the Olympic Movement, which is reflected in the Olympic Charter, Fundamental Principle 6:

“The enjoyment of the rights and freedoms set forth in this Olympic Charter shall be secured without discrimination of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.”

The Olympic Games are a very powerful global demonstration against racism and for inclusivity. They are a celebration of the unity of humankind in all our diversity. Athletes from all 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and the IOC Refugee Olympic Team all enjoy the same rights, respecting each other and with the same rules applying to everyone without any kind of discrimination. All these athletes live peacefully together in the Olympic Village, sharing their meals, their thoughts and their emotions.

This is in the DNA of the Olympic Games and the IOC as an organisation. Our founder Pierre de Coubertin said: “We shall not have peace until the prejudices that now separate the different races are outlived. To attain this end, what better means is there than to bring the youth of all countries periodically together for amicable trials of muscular strength and agility?”

IOC President Thomas Bach
IOC | Greg Martin

The IOC Executive Board supports the initiative of the IOC Athletes’ Commission to explore different ways of how Olympic athletes can express their support for the principles enshrined in the Olympic Charter, including at the time of the Olympic Games, and respecting the Olympic spirit.

By participating in the Olympic Games, the athletes are proof of this principle of non-discrimination for any reason. Their respect for all their fellow athletes gives us a glimpse of how humankind as a whole could live together peacefully and respectfully.

Players Union Holds Online Football Conference Thursday

National Association of Nigerian Professional Footballers (NANPF), continues its relentless drive towards ensuring a better welfare and fortunes for Nigerian football, with another epochal event .

As it is set to hold an online football conference Thursday evening. According to a statement signed by the General- Secretary of the foremost players union, Comrade Austin Popo, the online conference has a line up several top personalities, including NANPF’s President Tijani Babangida, who is expected to speak on ‘Footballers Pension scheme’.

Tijani Babangida
photo credit: Shengolpixs

Dave Uduani, Managing Director/CEO, Sigma Pension, would take his turn to speak on “Building A Customised Scheme for Footballers”. The importance of “Building Healthy Relationships Between the Federation, Leagues and Players Union”, would handled by Mallam Shehu Dikko, 2nd Vice-President of Nigeria Football Federation and Chairman, League Management Company.

Renowned sports promoter and consultant to NANPF, Chinedu Amadi, would talk on the need for “Footballers Welfare Insurance.” While Brown Ogbeifun, who is BOT Chairman of Stephen Keshi Football and Vocational training centre, would speak on “Resolving Disputes in Sports”.

Former Nigeria international footballer Abdul Sule, who is also Chairman of Kogi United, would take the floor. Abdul Sule, who doubles as a trustee NANPF and Chairman, NNL Clubs Owners Association, will speak on ‘Building A Healthy Relations Between Clubs and the Players Union.’

The online conference, slated for Thursday 25th June, 2020, will hold between 4-6pm. And with each speaker taking the stage for 20 minutes.

Akeem Busari