The 2023 Laureus Sport for Good Global Summit, presented by Nike’s Made To Play commitment to get kids moving, was a celebration of the inspirational work of the programmes Laureus supports around the world, with a focus on coaching girls and gender equity.
Attended by athletes, industry leaders, governmental organisations and international non-profits, the event also staged the launch of the Laureus Sport for Good Annual Review, detailing the work of the organisation in 2022.
Over 244,000 children and young people were impacted by the work of Laureus Sport for Good, which supported 304 programmes in 42 countries and territories with funding, training and other assistance.
In March of 2022, Laureus launched the Sport for Peace and Humanitarian Action Fund, in response to the developing crisis in Ukraine. During 2022, the global population displaced by conflict surpassed 100 million, 40% of whom are children. Since the Fund was launched, it has aimed to reach as many of them as possible, in Ukraine and beyond, and has supported programmes in countries including Iraq, Afghanistan, Jordan and Uganda.
When Laureus was founded in 2000, the great Nelson Mandela declared at our very first Laureus World Sports Award: “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all types of discrimination.”
Missy Franklin, five-time Olympic swimming champion and vice chair of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, said: “Those of us who have spent our lives in sport know that those final words can be true - but that there is still a lot of work to do to overcome discrimination in sport and beyond. We are committed to doing it - to make President Mandela’s belief a reality, and to give every girl the opportunity to chase her dreams and fight for her goals. We will be right there alongside them.”
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