158th CoR Plenary Session (29-30 November 2023)

Rapporteur: PELLA Roberto Commission: SEDEC
The Opinion highlights the following values-based aspects as complementary to the definition of the European Sport Model: equal opportunities for access, the relationship between sport and work/school, the culture of sport, the link between sport and sustainability, the digital dimension of sport.

The EU Work Plan on Sport 2021-2024 identifies the European Sport Model as a key topic and mandates the European Commission to study the impact of closed sport competitions on the system of organised sport, taking into account the specificity of sport and looking at the possible challenges faced by European sport organisations and federations. In this context, the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC) of the European Commission commissioned Ecorys and Kea in August 2021 to undertake a study on the European Sport Model.

Even though the European Union (EU) has built an extensive framework of legislation, instances of racism and homophobia in sport are still rife. Interestingly, Eurostat surveys reveal that the feeling of discrimination is more widespread than actual discrimination. Although there are some variations, discrimination in sport very frequently involves stigmatisation on the basis of external characteristics such as skin colour, body shape and gender. Data from 2017 show that some 3 % of respondents claimed to have experienced racist violence in the previous year, with another 24 % being exposed to racist harassment in that period. Worryingly, the results of a 2018 poll confirm that the vast majority of respondents (90 %) perceive homo/transphobia to be a problem in sport, with gay men feeling homophobia to be a bigger problem than lesbian/gay women and bisexual people.

Some disability sports are traditional sports slightly modified to meet the needs of people with a disability and are referred to as 'adapted sports'. Others, such as boccia, have been designed specifically with no equivalent in mainstream sport. 'Disability sport' is used as an umbrella term to describe sports activities developed for the benefit of people or athletes with disabilities. In the last century, various disability sports and competitions have been developed and run under the auspices of specialised international organisations. Regrettably, there is no centralised data collection on the participation of people with disabilities in sport at EU level

The Erasmus 2021-2027 proposal was published on 30 May 2018. Establishing a new programme ensures the continuation of the Erasmus+ funding programme for education, training, youth and sport. While Erasmus+ 2014-2020 offered mobility opportunities to more than 4 million people, the new programming period aims to reach up to 12 million participants. The new generation programme maintains a lifelong learning approach and works towards the adoption of a European Education Area by 2025

Using data from the Disentangling Inclusion in Primary Physical Education (DIPPE) Erasmus+ project, this study aimed at investigating teachers’ practices related to inclusion of children with additional needs (AN) in primary physical education (PE) and identifying supports that could enhance these practices. Responses from 1170 primary teachers across nine European countries to an online questionnaire were analysed. Although inclusion was regarded as important, only 30% of children with AN were reported as being always included and engaged in PE. Teachers considered guidance on children’s motor needs and video-based resources particularly useful in promoting inclusion. Implications of the findings within the DIPPE project and more broadly are discussed.

The use of sport for social cohesion has grown rapidly in recent times both globally and in Europe. This is linked to the growth of the sport for development and peace (SDP) movement and changing demographic composition of European societies.Many actors and organisations across Europe are now using sport-based approaches to contribute to social cohesion goals and objectives.

The annual European Week of Sport (23-30 September) opens on 23 September in Valencia, Spain. This is the ninth edition of a European Commission initiative designed to promote sport and physical activity across Europe with the slogan #BeActive. The hope is that people will #BeActive during the Week of Sport, but also stay active throughout the rest of the year. The initiatives in 2023 centre on three topics: involvement, inclusion, and innovation. Sport has the potential to bring together people from various backgrounds, ethnicities, sexual orientations, fitness levels, genders, and generations. There are events, contests and challenges in 40 countries, with millions of people getting together and having fun thanks to sport. Over 13 million people took part in the 2022 edition