FRANKFURT 2007 – Enjoyed by all

VIPs and Expertise: The 13th European Fair Play Congress in Frankfurt am Main FRANKFURT-The number 13 is generally associated with various different connotations. In the case of the European Fair Play Congress, it may certainly be seen as a lucky charm. Because there can be no doubt that the 13th meeting of European Fair Play "movers" has meanwhile become an event that is rich in tradition and that sets new standards, both in terms of organisation and substance.

More than 250 participants from 34 European and non-European countries as well as plenty of high-quality and appropriately qualified experts who travelled to Frankfurt am Main from 17 to 19 October 2007 as guests of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund – DOSB) were able to experience this first hand.

The German Sports Confederation (Deutscher Sportbund) and the NOC for Germany, which merged in May 2006, had taken on responsibility for this event from the NOC, which at the time had contacted the European Fair Play Movement (EFPM) to apply to take on the organisation of the Congress. Responsibility for preparing and running the event lay with the German Olympic Academy Willi Daume (Deutsche Akademie Willi Daume – DOA).

Given the background of the continuing discussion on the values of sport and the social added value of sport, the Congress was seen by those responsible as offering an opportunity to direct the focus of attention, in the political sphere as well Europe-wide, on treating each other fairly, thus setting a new emphasis in an increasingly technology-driven and globalised world. Much in line with the "Fair geht vor!" initiative already launched by German sport and not least in view of the coming Olympic Games in Beijing, the aim was to use an PR highlight to open a new ethical campaign in sport under the heading of "The Olympic Values and the Future of Sport" and thereby to reach as many disseminators and multipliers as possible. In line with this objective, the Congress deserves to be described as a great success, even though the final verdict on its impact can, naturally, only be given after quite a while. However, the positive response voiced by many participants as well as by the professional observers and reporters provides us with reason enough to look forward with optimism in this respect.

Besides the convincing overall concept, the professional organisation, and the high-quality social programme, praise was especially earned by the excellent quality of the papers and presentations, and by the panel discussions, whose participants not only stood out as VIPs, but also with their expertise. The opportunity to meet with sports officials and functionaries, with politicians, academics, scientists and researchers, with journalists and teachers, as well as, last but definitely not least, with international class athletes themselves.

The ceremonious opening held in Frankfurt's Town Hall, the Römer, already presented the first highlight in the person of both a European Head of State and an IOC Member namely the Grand Duke of Luxembourg as the opening speaker for the Congress. His detailed comments and thoughts, also and especially in his critical passages, were welcomed as a successful introduction and orientation for the remaining congress days. Other speakers, too, such as the moral theologian Dietmar Mieth, sports philosopher Jim Parry from Leeds, the Canadian expert in Olympic Education, Deanna Binder, sports scientist Eike Emrich from Saarbrücken, the former President of the Federation of German Cyclists Sylvia Schenk, doping expert Karl-Heinrich Bette from Darmstadt, and the President of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), Fritz Pleitgen, contributed valuably by emphasising various aspects of the Congress topic, which were then discussed intensively by the excellently appointed panels. A further highlight was provided by the Minister President of the State of Hessen and Patron of the Congress, Roland Koch, whose speech focused on the role model that sport can play in respect of greater fairness in politics and society.

To make the results of the speeches and discussions more useful and productive, a comprehensive documentation of the Congress proceedings is being prepared under the lead responsibility of the German Olympic Academy. It is also worth mentioning that the Congress itself served as a venue for two further events: An in-service training measure was organised for teachers in cooperation with the Institute of Quality Assurance at the Hessen Ministry of Education and Culture, and the Institute for In-Service Training in Schools and School Psychology Counselling of the Rhineland Palatinate. Parallel to this – and under the responsibility of the German Sport Youth Organisation – the second European
Youth Fair Play Congress was held.

At the end of the event, the flag was – as always – passed on. EFPM Vice-President Manfred Lämmer handed it over to General Charalambos Lottas, who represented the hosts of the 14th European Fair Play Congress to be held in Nicosia, Cyprus, from 1 to 5 October 2008, on the topic of "Violence and Racism – A challenge for the Sporting Community". This will certainly set some new focuses and accents, although it remains to be hoped that the impulses sent out by Frankfurt will have a sustained impact. Fair Play has long established itself as a European mission. The annual EFPM Congress has contributed substantially to this. There can be no doubt that this is a success, which, rather than giving us an occasion for satisfaction, should instead motivate us to make even greater efforts. Continuing to stand up for the values of sport, treating each other fairly and with respect, is really something worth doing.


THE DELEGATES TO THE 13th EFPM GENERAL ASSEMBLY

GREETINGS FROM TURKEY TO TWO LEADERS:
It is traditional at the EFPM to give a present to our hosts as a way of saying ‘thank you’. Here, Turkish handwoven carpets are presented to Prof. Dr. Gudrun Doll-Tepper and Prof. Manfred Lämmer by the Turkish team – Murat Özbay and Erdoğan Arıpınar.

In the course of their tour of historic sites in Frankfurt, the EFPM delegates called at a famous monastery and were impressed both with the vineyards there and with the quality of the white wine produced.