Olympic and Paralympic Week aims to introduce more people to sports and shift young people's perceptions of disability.
Olympic and Paralympic Week aims to
introduce more people to sports and shift young people's perceptions of
disability.
As the milestone of 500 days until
the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games approaches, Olympic and Paralympic Week
(OPW/SOP) has started in France around the theme of inclusion.
This year's event is an opportunity
to fight against disability discrimination and promote awareness of the
Paralympic Games, Para athletes, and various Para sports among young people.
Moreover, the OPW will emphasise the importance of physical activity in the
daily lives of students across all levels of the French education system.
In total, more than 7,000 schools and
institutions will be involved with one million students participating.
“With 500 days to go before the first
Summer Paralympic Games in France, we have chosen to dedicate this year's OPW
to a theme that is important to us: inclusion," said Tony Estanguet,
President of Paris 2024 Organising Committee. "With 21.8% of
discrimination related to disability, it is crucial to fight against
stereotypes and misconceptions from an early age.”
Bringing sport and schools together
Since 2017, Olympic and Paralympic
Week has been implemented across all levels of the French education system, as
well as in social and medico-social institutions (ESMS) that choose to
participate.
This annual event provides an
opportunity for the education community to explore the potential of sports in
support of teaching. Its primary goal is to raise students' awareness of the
Olympic and Paralympic values while promoting the discovery of Olympic and
Paralympic disciplines. Additionally, the OPW aims to shift young people's
perceptions of disability by encouraging them to view it from a new
perspective.
The initiative was launched in
partnership with Paris 2024 and the Ministry of National Education, Youth and
Sports.
“This week will illustrate the reality of the inclusive school,
through more than 3,000 projects led by teaching teams across France, in
collaboration with the Paris 2024 Organising Committee and our athletes,"
said Pap Ndiaye, Minister of National Education, Youth and Sports.
With an adapted education system, we
guarantee the 430,000 students with disabilities in schools the ability to
learn and be assessed at the baccalaureate like all other students in France.
During physical education classes in secondary school, we offer all students
the opportunity to discover Para sports, now available in official programmes,
with the aim to change their perspective on disability.”
Numerous events across France and
abroad
A multitude of events will take place
across France throughout this week. In the Paris region, an opening ceremony
for the launch day of the 2023 OPW will be held at the Zénith de la Villette,
featuring the "Dance of the OPW" performed by 1,300 students in the
presence of Pap Ndiaye, Minister of National Education, Youth and Sports;
Amélie Oudéa-Castera, Minister of Sport, Olympic and Paralympic Games;
Geneviève Darrieussecq, Minister Responsible for Persons with Disabilities;
Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024; Brigitte Henriquès, President of the
CNOSF; and Marie-Amélie Le Fur, President of the CPSF.
Activities centred around the theme
of inclusion will also be offered in Nice, Marseille, and Besançon.
Beyond France, establishments
associated with the Terre de Jeux 2024 embassies will also participate in the
celebration. Over 80 French schools and high schools located worldwide will be
involved in the OPW by hosting inclusive sports activities and welcoming
athletes, as well as through other activities.
The seventh edition of Olympic and
Paralympic Week takes place from 3 to 8 April 2023 in French establishments
throughout France and abroad.