Global Association of International Sport Federations president Ivo Ferriani emphasizes that the worldwide sports community must contribute and make positive steps towards both climate change mitigation and disease prevention.
The IOC executive board member and president of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation’s message comes on World Health Day, annually celebrated on April 7. The theme of World Health Day 2022 is “Our Planet, Our Health.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) initiative focuses on the long-term health challenges caused by a polluted planet and increasing diseases like cancer, asthma and heart disease.
Ferriani notes that physical activity is more important than ever to keep humans and our planet healthy.
“Sport and physical activity have a huge role to play in ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages, which is one of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals,” Ferriani said.
The veteran Italian sports leader stresses that GAISF Members must continue to encourage and demonstrate physical activity and sports participation at all levels. It is further noted that Nitrogen dioxide pollution can aggravate respiratory diseases, particularly asthma. Additionally, well-planned public transport systems, walking, running or cycling, can improve air quality, mitigate climate change, and improve health and general well-being.
“It is incredible to see how GAISF’s Members have embraced the role of sport in enabling sustainable development while empowering individuals and communities to get moving for both their physical and mental health.
“By replacing sedentary behavior with regular exercise, not only can the sports community promote healthy lifestyles, it can also make a positive contribution to climate change mitigation by encouraging sustainable practices,” Ferriani said.
The World Health Organization advises that In the midst of a pandemic, a polluted planet, increasing diseases like cancer, asthma, heart disease, that on World Health Day 2022, WHO will focus global attention on urgent actions needed to keep humans and the planet healthy and foster a movement to create societies focused on well-being.
World Health Organization director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus calls on the international health sector to reduce health care waste, decarbonize health facilities, ensure safe clean water at health facilities and advocate for health to be at the center of Climate Action.
WHO estimates that more than 13 million deaths around the world each year are due to avoidable environmental causes. This includes the climate crisis, which is the single biggest health threat facing humanity. It informs that climate crisis is also a health crisis.
The World Health Organization also informs that climate change is making floods more dangerous, wildfires due to drought more likely and rising temperatures are affecting the population’s sustainable health.
Ferriani was elected president of GAISF on November 12, 2021 and is currently serving a two-year term. He stepped in to replace fellow Italian Raffaele Chiulli.
Ferriani’s leadership roles within the Olympic movement have steadily increased over recent years - he has served as AIOWF president since 2020 and president of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation since 2010. The Italian sports leader from Turin has also been an IOC Executive Board Member since 2018.
Follow Brian on Twitter - @Brian_Pinelli
Últimas Noticias
Sinner-Alcaraz, the duel that came to succeed the three phenomenons
Table tennis: Brazil’s Bruna Costa Alexandre will be Olympic and Paralympic in Paris 2024
Rugby 7s: the best player of 2023 would only play the medal match in Paris
Rhonex Kipruto, owner of the world record for the 10000 meters on the road, was suspended for six years
Katie Ledecky spoke about doping Chinese swimmers: “It’s difficult to go to Paris knowing that we’re going to compete with some of these athletes”
