U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Partners with International Centre for Sport Security Europe

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, working through the Office of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the International Centre for Sport Security Europe (ICSS EUROPE) to promote healthy sport across the globe.

The President’s Council and ICSS EUROPE will collaborate through international cooperation to address the following issues:

· Sports’ positive values and social, educational and cultural role;

· Good governance, integrity and transparency in sport; and

· Development and protection of children and young people in and through sport.

Dr. Karen DeSalvo, Acting Assistant Secretary for Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said:

"The positive role that sports play in physical and emotional health is well established. This new agreement demonstrates our commitment to working collaboratively with our counterparts around the globe to build systems of good governance, integrity and transparency in sport to promote healthy sport participation and environments for athletes as well as fans."

Ms Shellie Y. Pfohl, Executive Director of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition,said:

"We welcome the opportunity to join with the ICSS to strengthen our collective efforts to protect sports and the people that play them for this and future generations."

Dr. Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, SIGA coordinator, CEO of ICSS EUROPE and co-founder and former CEO of the EPFL (European Professional Football Leagues) said:

"Tackling corruption in sport requires a determined, coordinated global effort. ICSS is delighted to welcome the support of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health through the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition to support governance, integrity and transparency in sport. The President’s Council will add significant experience and expertise to our work.

"Moving forward, the President’s Council will become an important partner for ICSS EUROPE and we look forward to working alongside them to ensure a stronger future where integrity and good governance sit at the heart of sport."

The ICSS, along with over 50 organizations from all sectors, launched Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) at a meeting hosted by the Spanish Government in Madrid last month. SIGA is grounded in 12 Core Principles on Sport Integrity that were formally adopted by SIGA members who are currently working together to strengthen industry standards in areas such as Financial Integrity and Good Governance. These standards and best practices are being developed with the goal of widespread adoption across the sport sector.

For more information contact:

media@theicss.org

Tasha.bradley@hhs.gov

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