FITNESS TRIBUNE No 1 English

Report

The Magglingen declaration A challenge for the fitness industry

“Sport and development” was the motto of the first world forum on sport which was held between Sunday 16th and Tues day 18th February 2003 at the sports college in Magglingen (Switzerland). This international conference was opened on the Sunday evening by Heinz Keller, principal of the sports college in Magglingen; Walter Fust, director of Deza; and Samuel Schmid, Swiss Federal Councillor and minister for sport. They were delighted to be able to welcome over 300 professionals from the areas of sport, science, commerce, politics and the media from across the world. Highlights of the event “Challenges and Objectives” was the motto for Monday and the first official workshop in Magglingen was opened with a video message from Kofi Annan, UN General Secretary. Kofi Annan made clear his opinion that sport can and must play an imporant role, along side all of the other UNO activities, in peacekeeping and the promotion of peace. Adolf Ogi, ex- Federal Council lor and special advisor to Kofi Annan on sport and peace supported this call. He has often been to third-world countries and during his travels has confirmed time and again that the problem in these countries is not lack of movement but lack of peace. For this reason campaigns such as “SPORT FOR PEACE” have been launched in some countries. On Tuesday Adolf Ogi spoke, amongst others, on sport as the best school of life and IOC president Jacques Rogge on his vision for encouraging youths. Follow ing this, the RIGHT TO PLAY project was launched (known also under its former name “Olympic Aid”). Johann Olav Koss, multiple Olympic champion

with his exercise campaign. Mrs Etsuko Ogasaware, director of JWS (Japanese association for Women in Sport), emphasized here that women play practically no sport for reasons of discrimination, religion etc., - and not only in third-world countries. Fit mothers, fit children In my opinion this is exactly where a source of important potential could lie for the fitness industry - worldwide the proportion of women members of fitness clubs is 70%. When the women exercise then so do the children. Women represent the future for sport and fitness. Men take part in sports up to a maximum of 28 years of age. After this, their career takes over and becomes increasingly important. A chance for the fitness associa tions The “Magglingen declaration” is a chance for the fitness industry to at last close the gap between the international sports world and the fitness industry. Sports scientists and sports officials should no longer look down their noses at the “new” fitness industry but should accept them as equal partners. Now is the time, when UNO and the WHO (World Health Organization) are launching their worldwide MOVE FOR HEALTH programme, to make the first move towards global coopera tion between fitness and sport. Many of the topics brought up by the WHO have been relevant to the fitness industry for decades. For example:

Kofi Annan - Adolf Ogi

is responsible for this. This campaign to encourage international sports projects awoke great interest with the media who came from across the world to cover the event. According to a survey by the WHO, around 60% of the population take no exercise at all! Pekka Puska (director of the WHO department DNDPHP) introduced the MOVE TO HEALTH project in Magglingen. Dr. Gro Har lem Brundtland, president of the WHO underlined the importance of this cam paign by video. Various organizations which are active across the globe have launched similar initiatives over the past 2-6 years and these are intended to motivate people into becoming more physically active. Victor Mat sudo, director of CELAFISCS, Agita Mundo, started already six years ago in South America and has been successful

HOW MUCH TRAINING IS NEEDED TO INCREASE OR MAINTAIN PERSONAL HEALTH?

SPORT AND DEVELOPMENT

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Fitness Tribune International 1