First European Week of Sport launches in Brussels
Representative of the sports and outdoor industry met in Brussels for the launch of the European Week of Sport (EWOS), an initiative aimed at attracting more participation across the continent.
Policymakers are being urged to put in place a framework to get people outside and allow them to connect with nature.
John Jansen, president of the European Outdoor Group (EOG), said: “The European Week of Sport is an excellent opportunity for our sector to demonstrate to policymakers that outdoor activities should be a core part of any plans relating to the promotion of physical activities in Europe. From the individual level, to schools and workplaces, to communities, to countries, to EU-wide initiatives – it is time to include this in our planning, thinking and action.”
The EOG will this week lead a workshop with policymakers on access to sport and physical activity across social groups and spaces. Throughout EWOS, a temporary sports village has been set up in Brussels, which includes a bouldering wall, with instructors on hand to demonstrate the activity and allow people to have a go themselves.
Mountaineer Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner, who helped the launched the event, added: “Given the opportunity, I know that millions of European citizens can experience the same connection with the outdoors that I enjoy. However, in this age of urbanisation and digitalisation, some need an extra ‘push’ in the right direction, which is why the European Week of Sport is such an important initiative.
“It is vital that this campaign is just the start and that policymakers go on to fully embrace the power of outdoor sports in being able to help us all live healthier, happier lives.”
