International Day for the Elimination of Racism

With the purpose of contributing to the eradication of racism in the world, the International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination is being celebrated today with the 2013 slogan being “Racism and Sport”.

Racial discrimination is a present phenomenon in many areas impeding the progress of millions of people throughout the world, making the fighting of racism a priority issue for the international community. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”. This day reminds us of our responsibility in promoting and protecting promotion this ideal. 

The theme for this year, “Racism and Sport”, while relieving the worrying problem of racism in the sporting field, stresses the important role which sport can fulfil as an effective factor in the fight against racial discrimination.