IOC's Game-Changing Strategy to Combat Inactivity at World Health Assembly

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is championing the global fight against physical inactivity with a bold new strategy presented at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. Their mission: to galvanize an active global community with the help of sport and collaboration across sectors.

A Wake-Up Call from WHO Reports

Dr. Jane Thornton, the IOC’s Director of Health, Medicine, and Science, shared her mounting concerns over troubling findings from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) latest report on physical activity. “Alarmingly, 80% of adolescents fail to meet the recommended activity levels. It’s a call to action we cannot ignore,” she stated. According to Olympics.com, physical inactivity was a major contributor to noncommunicable diseases, leading to over 43 million deaths in 2021.

Mobilizing Sport as a Health Catalyst

What’s at stake? The future health of generations yet to come. The IOC, in partnership with WHO, is therefore leading a strategic charge with initiatives anchored in WHO’s Global Action Plan on Physical Activity (GAPPA) and the IOC’s Olympism365 strategy. Their aim is to transform how communities integrate sports into daily life, emphasizing it as a keystone habit for well-being.

Empowering Communities Globally

Harnessing sport for systemic change is key. This effort is embodied in the Community Sport and Health Cooperation initiative—a targeted program active in countries such as Ghana, Vietnam, and Nepal. Dr. Thornton explained how the project fosters collaboration between sports and health sectors to elevate public health.

Inspiring Movement Through ‘Let’s Move’

Public engagement is another cornerstone of the IOC’s approach, notably through the global Let’s Move campaign. Launched in June 2023, it has already seen over 30 million participants worldwide, urging everyone from schoolchildren to adults to embrace physical activity and experience the vitality it offers.

Leveraging Olympic Legacies for Long-Term Change

The legacy of global sporting events also plays a pivotal role. “The Olympic Games have the power to ignite policy change, as exemplified by France’s initiative to incorporate 30 minutes of daily physical activity in schools, inspired by the Paris 2024 Games,” Dr. Thornton shared.

Looking Ahead: Olympism365 Summit

The momentum will continue to build at the Olympism365 Summit in Lausanne, Switzerland, from June 3 to 5. It aims to spotlight collaborations and innovations like those taking shape within local communities. As a forum for sharing successes and new ideas, it will reinforce sport’s potent role in health, societal inclusion, and education.

In a world where inactivity is a looming threat, the IOC’s innovative strategies and steadfast alliances are setting the stage for a healthier, more active global society. Their efforts not only reinforce the essence of Olympism but remind us all of the transformative power of sport to foster better futures worldwide.