Sporting leaders in Monaco

Awards presented, discussion and debates.

Following on the heels of Sportel in October, the great and the good of the athletics world gathered in Monaco in November. The Council of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) [1] met over 2 days to discuss events timetables, hosting cities and a number of other issues. The meeting culminated in the World Athletics Gala, where awards were presented to the IAAF Male and the Female World Athletes of the Year. Winners for 2009 are Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt and American 400 meters world champion Sanya Richards.

A few days later, Monaco hosted the 3rd Peace and Sport [2] International Forum, where over 400 decision-makers from the worlds of sport, politics and business were invited to take part in debates and discussions. Highlights of the invitation-only event included:

• a partnership agreement between Peace and Sport and 2 United Nations Offices (for Sport at the Service of Development and Peace (UNOSDP), and for Partnerships (UNOP))
• the launch of “Champions for Peace", a group of 37 famous athletes acting to promote sport for peace
• an agreement with the University for Peace (UPEACE) to teach future leaders to integrate sport into their actions

The forum also presented several awards to organizations that have supported the aims of Peace and Sport through various projects around the world.