Paris 2024 helps spread Olympic values in Haiti

Paris, France - 18 March 2017

PRESS RELEASE

The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Bid has joined the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF) in Haiti this week to continue the expansion of its innovative educational programme "Playdagogie - values ​​of Olympism".

Paris 2024 Co-Chair, Tony Estanguet and the bid’s education ambassador, Emmeline Ndongue, were in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince to share the programme with teachers, educators and sport development officers with the help of the Haitian Olympic Committee.

Haiti is the second country outside of France to have adopted the pioneering training technique, which uses play, sport and Olympic values as a learning tool to encourage social development in children aged 6-12 years. More than 30 educators representing around 15 sport federations, along with 400 children from local schools took the opportunity learn and participate with support from Haiti’s Sport for Hope Centre and the National Institute of Youth and Sports Science (INJESS).

The initiative, which was first launched in Paris in January, has already been adopted by the Vanuatu, with a further visit planned for Guadeloupe in the coming days. The programme, developed and implemented in collaboration with Play International and UNICEF has been designed to educate and mobilise youth through sport and its positive values. Easily replicable, the project is part of the CNOSF’s commitment to share Paris’ 2024 candidature with the world. Plans are already in place to establish it in Africa and Europe.

On Monday, three time Olympic champion and Paris 2024 ambassador Marie-Jo Perec will join the CNOSF in Guadeloupe at the Centre of Resource, Expertise and Sports Performance Antilles & Guyana (CREPS) to further expand the programme and share the candidature of Paris 2024.

Tony Estanguet, Co-Chair Paris 2024, said:

"Olympism has always inspired me and I am convinced that this message can be used at the service of the education of the youth in France and in the world. Through this initiative, launched during the bid phase, Paris 2024 is demonstrating its strong desire to harness innovation and education and ensure the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games become a catalyst for change in society."

Emmeline Ndongue, Paris 2024 education ambassador, said:

"Over a million children in France have already benefited from educational programmes put in place as part of the Paris 2024 candidature. We are pleased to be able to share this legacy with Haiti’s youth. The core purpose of the Paris 2024 project is to be of service to society and leave a positive social legacy, in particular for the youth."

Denis Masseglia, CNOSF President, said:

‘The Francophone National Olympic Committees Association has enabled us to develop collaborative relationships between the various NOCs that belong to it. This comes naturally for the French and Haitian Olympic committees, with our close friendship linked to shared linguistic and historic ties.

"Sharing with Haiti the educational program Playdagogie – values of Olympism, designed in collaboration with Paris 2024, PLAY International and UNICEF, was a logical progression for the CNOSF. This visit constitutes a step forward in the international execution of this educational programme, which will shortly continue its path in Africa and Europe.’

Hans Larsen, President of the Haitian Olympic Committee, added:

"Olympic history worldwide unquestionably strengthens people. We, in Haiti, are trying as much as possible to contribute to youth education through courses and by encouraging team spirit"

For further information:

CNOSF press department – + 33 1 40 78 29 03 – pressecnosf@cnosf.org

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