The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has highlighted how the Olympic Movement has contributed to creating healthier futures through the benefits of physical activity. From the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games to Paris 2024, sport has proven to be a key driver of global health and well-being.
When the Olympic flame was lit in Tokyo in 2021, it symbolized not only sporting excellence, but also resilience and global solidarity. At a time when the world was facing the Covid-19 pandemic, the staging of the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Olympic Games showed that, with careful planning and international collaboration, it was possible to overcome the most complex challenges.
IOC and WHO during the pandemic
The WHO worked closely with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the authorities in Japan and China, and public health experts to ensure the safety of the Games during the pandemic. Together, they developed robust Covid-19 prevention and response measures, protecting athletes, officials, and communities, and setting a global precedent for organizing events in times of health crises.
Sport, in addition to being a tool for connection, is a key enabler of health. During the pandemic, the Olympic Games reminded the world that sport not only promotes physical well-being, but also mental well-being, especially in times of isolation and movement restrictions.
Let’s Move campaign and its global impact
Since 2023, the joint Let’s Move campaign, led by the IOC and WHO, has encouraged millions of people to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives. Athletes have been instrumental in this initiative, inspiring communities around the world to take small steps toward better health.
A notable example of this impact was seen during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Thanks to evidence provided by the WHO on the benefits of physical activity, France implemented daily exercise programs in all schools across the country, leaving a lasting legacy that demonstrates how the Olympic Movement can influence public policy.
The Sport for Health program and its scope
To expand these efforts, the WHO launched the Sport for Health program, which integrates health into all aspects of sport, from major events to community participation. This program promotes healthier food choices, smoke-free environments, mental health support, and greater health safety in sports venues.
Through this initiative, the WHO collaborates with host countries, sports federations, and health partners to make sport a safer, more inclusive, and healthier activity for everyone, from elite athletes to amateurs, volunteers, and local communities.
Recognition of Thomas Bach and the IOC
Dr. Tedros also paid tribute to outgoing IOC President Thomas Bach, highlighting his leadership in transforming the Olympic Movement into a force for inclusion, sustainability, and global well-being. During the pandemic, the collaboration between the IOC and WHO was an example of how friendship and teamwork can overcome the most difficult times. With the arrival of Kirsty Coventry as the new IOC president, WHO looks forward to continuing to strengthen this partnership and building on the legacy of recent years.
