Be active: European Week of Sport kicks off

The first-ever European Week of Sport kicked off in Brussels today and will be organised every year by the European Commission with the aim of promoting sport and physical activity across Europe. The new initiative was originally suggested in a report by MEP Santiago Fisas, a Spanish member of the EPP group, which was adopted by the European Parliament. As part of the event various activities take place in all member states and are open to anyone regardless of age, background or fitness level.

The opening speech of MEP Santiago Fisas
Santiago Fisas during his opening speech at the launch of the European Week of Sport

The European Week of Sport, which runs until 13 September, was inaugurated on Monday 7 September by Fisas, who wrote the European dimension in sport report; Tibor Navracsics, the commissioner responsible for education, culture, youth and sport; and Roman Schneider, the Luxembourg minister for sport. 


During the opening ceremony, Fisas said: "Sport has a social, economic and cultural dimension and this is the reason why we must promote the practice of sport in the European Union." Referring to corruption, the fight against illegal betting, match-fixing and doping, the MEP added: "The European Week of Sport is a step forward for sport in Europe, but we still have many things to solve in the coming years."


In addition to the activities hosted in Brussels on 7-13 September, hundreds of events take place in all 28 EU member states, as well as in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Turkey during the whole month of September.


In the European Parliament a special intergroup deals with sport-related issues.  Watch the video statements by sports intergroup members on the importance of this week.


To know more about events taking place in your country, check out this map and follow the activities on social media using the hashtag #BeActive.