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May 16, 2020 "I am delighted to formalize this lasting partnership with the IOC," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. "Our organization works not only to respond to disease but also to help people live their lives healthier and this collaboration will do exactly that. Physical activity is one of the keys to good health and well-being."The collaboration between WHO and IOC comes at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic is affecting people with non-communicable diseases in particular and the agreement focuses on the prevention of these diseases, in particular thanks to sport. Physical activity helps to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of hypertension, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and various types of cancer, from breast to colon.
"In the last few months dealing with this health emergency - said the president of the IOC, Thomas Bach - we have all seen how important physical activity is for mental health. Sport can save lives". And the IOC calls on governments to "include sport in the plans to get out of the crisis" caused by Covid-19.
In addition, WHO and CIO will work together with the countries hosting the Olympics to ensure the health of athletes, supporters and workers during the Games, but also to reduce risk factors such as air pollution.
The common goal is then to make the Olympic Games make the host countries more attentive and aware of the importance of physical activity to improve health, in particular by making sport more accessible for the elderly and people with disabilities.
In the world, WHO estimates, one in 4 people are not doing enough motorcycles and over 80% of teenagers are sedentary. The goal of the collaboration between WHO and IOC is also to contribute to increasing physical activity on the planet by 15%.