Stanislav Pozdniakov: “The Games in Tokyo and Beijing are intended to be the most important stages of overcoming negative circumstances”

Today, on the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, the President of the ROC made an address in which he noted that respect, friendship, solidarity, and mutual assistance allow countries and nations to solve the most difficult problems together and effectively face any challenges.

Stanislav Pozdniakov

Dear friends!

A year ago, at about the same time, you and I were faced with a situation that we could only imagine in the movies.

The coronavirus pandemic has almost completely changed the way of life, literally paralyzing certain industries. Sports were no exception. Competitions were suspended, and for the first time in history, the Olympic Games were postponed for a year.

Today, given the experience of this difficult period, the main conclusion is becoming clearer worldwide: we can only cope with the pandemic and its consequences together! We are returning to the understanding, lost at some point, that fragmentation, any division on contrived grounds, is contrary to the idea of development and progress.

Respect, friendship, solidarity, and mutual assistance are the values that allow countries and peoples to solve the most difficult problems together, to face any challenges effectively.

Sport plays an exceptional, in many ways a key role here. This is our mission, of which the Olympic Movement is the practical embodiment. The Olympic Games in Tokyo and then in Beijing are meant to be crucial steps in overcoming negative circumstances.

And I think that the United Nations, which once established the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, justifiably chose #OnlyTogether as the key message this year.

I’m sure it will be supported by all sports community members, once again drawing people’s attention to what is really important and relevant today for each individual and all together.

Wishing good health and prosperity, kindness, and peace to you and your loved ones!