When we talk about "sport ", there are certain values that are intrinsic (stress, victory, joy, fun ... ) but unfortunately, it is increasingly common that also come to mind images of violence. There is this propensity to provoke confrontations, arguments, riots and behavior that represent nothing that this activity should bring with it .
Blessed John Paul II in 2000 addressed a message to athletes and sports leaders indicating some specific lines of action for sport: encouraging them to build a "sport that protects the weak and excludes no one, that frees young people from the snares of apathy and indifference, and arouses a healthy sense of competition in them; sport that is a factor of emancipation for poorer countries and helps to eradicate intolerance and build a more fraternal and united world; sport which contributes to the love of life, teaches sacrifice, respect and responsibility, leading to the full development of every human person." (JPII Athletes in the Jubilee of Sports People, Rome, 2000).
These points are the main objectives of the Church and Sport Section. On one hand the concern for a complete value education of people through sport, and on the other hand the promotion and patronage of initiatives that serve as a means to foster the development of peoples and the culture of values.
Today, sport is a universal language. It has a huge educational value: since childhood one can learn to fight for an objective or reach a goal and at the same time learn that if that fight is done not alone but as part of a team, you can succeed more quickly and have fun too! The child will always have the goal to win, whatever happens, but is that the goal that we should teach? We should show and teach the human side of genuine sport.
Recently, Mr. Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, was invited to the UN headquarters to talk about the Olympic movement. He took the opportunity to call on all nations to strive for peace, particularly during the Olympic Winter Games taking place this February in Sochi.
This is not an illusion or a meaningless and utopian request.. Pope Francis has given us the key in his message for the World Day of Peace this year : "We cannot, however, fail to observe that international agreements and national laws – while necessary and greatly to be desired – are not of themselves sufficient to protect humanity from the risk of armed conflict. A conversion of hearts is needed which would permit everyone to recognize in the other a brother or sister to care for, and to work together with, in building a fulfilling life for all. "
Practicing peace, like practicing sport, begins in the home. Sport is certainly a very effective means towards achieving peace because it goes beyond ideologies, languages, races and political views.
