Laureus Sport for Good: Summit 2018

Inspirational sport for change programmes from around the world have outlined their commitment to continue working with young people to use sport to create a more inclusive society at the 2018 Laureus Sport for Good Global Summit in partnership with Allianz.  

The event, at INSEP in Paris, involved 130 Laureus-supported programmes participating in inspiring panels, engaging discussions and passionate debate. The focus was on ways in which sport can shape a society where people with different physical and intellectual needs are fully integrated, and where women and girls participate equally. Programme leaders led training sessions on methods they use to make their own communities and programmes more inclusive and gender equal.   

As well as learning and developing as leaders within the sport for development sector, delegates attending the Summit also had the chance to build relationships with sporting legends and members of the Laureus Family.  Olympic and Paralympic champions Daley Thompson, Tanni-Grey Thompson, Fabian Cancellara, Anna Schaffelhuber, and Andy Barrow were joined by Rugby World Cup-winning legends Sean Fitzpatrick and Bryan Habana, cricket legend Steve Waugh, international football star Jens Lehmann and tennis legend Mansour Bahrami. These sporting legends offered their own personal experiences of the power of sport to change lives, joined breakout sessions and inspired programme leaders to continue their life-changing work.

Laureus Sport for Good, with the support of Mercedes-Benz France, also announced its intention to expand its life changing work in using sport to improve the lives of young people into France. Over the next twelve months, Laureus will begin supporting innovative partners in Paris, Lyon, Lille and Marseille. Both Laureus and Mercedes are committed to working with communities to improve social cohesion and social mobility, all through the power of sport. 

Sean Fitzpatrick, Chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy, said:

“We’ve had three incredible days here in Paris, and I’d like to thank Allianz for their generosity in staging the Summit. Each and every programme and everyone at Laureus is so grateful for your support.     

“We are hugely proud of the work Laureus programme partners are doing around the world, using sport to help young people overcome violence, discrimination and disadvantage. Our programme partners are deeply embedded in their local communities, wherever they are working, and it has been wonderful to hear about the creative ways sport is being used to shape lives and transform communities. This event has been a welcome reminder that the Sport for Good movement is in innovative and inspirational hands.”     

Laureus Academy Member and French football legend Marcel Desailly, said:     

“I am excited to announce that, thanks to support from Mercedes-Benz France, Laureus Sport for Good is expanding its work into France.  We will be using sport to help build bridges where there are none, helping bring young people into work where unemployment rates are high, and helping ensure equal opportunities independent of gender, background, belief and sexual orientation.”

Jean-Marc Pailhol, Head of Group Market Management and Distribution of Allianz SE, said:    

“We are a proud partner of Laureus and its Laureus Sport for Good Summit 2018 as we both passionately believe in the power of sport. Together with the social leaders of Laureus we foster social inclusion and equality through sport.”