HC Türk: We need to work together for equality and justice in sport

Distinguished guests,

Sport has the power to make us dream big.  Athletes are modern-day heroes, who often give more of themselves than seems humanly possible.

And sport has the power to inspire and unite — which is why it has often been instrumentalised, to divide and to oppress.

In the Europe of the 1930s and 40s, Jewish athletes were not spared from the horrors of the Holocaust. In the early stages, the Nazis systematically excluded them from sports clubs and competitions. The 1936 Berlin Olympic Games were a particularly dark moment of discrimination and persecution. Many Jewish athletes were then killed in the death camps in horrible circumstances, together with millions of other Jews, Roma and Sinti, people with disabilities, gay people, and so many more.

This exhibition honours those courageous athletes, and it challenges us to learn the lessons of this painful history.

Athletes may be targeted for their religion, gender identity, for racial or ethnic origin, or disability. They may be subjected to hateful speech from within their teams, from the stands, and beyond.

This is not only deeply unjust; it can fuel divisions in our wider societies.

Team sports can foster unhealthy competitive environments in which racism and other forms of discrimination thrive.

We need to act decisively to counter these trends.

It is crucial for States, first and foremost, to adopt a zero-tolerance approach against racism and all forms of discrimination in sport — including antisemitism and Islamophobia.  Victims must be heard and have access to justice.

International organisations, sports teams, tech companies, media, and beyond also have an important role in tackling the root causes of discrimination and hate speech.  Recent years have seen advances, and we must build on this.

My Office is working with States, athletes, religious leaders and civil society, and we will present a report during this session of the Human Rights Council on progress towards sport that is free from discrimination and intolerance.

Let’s join forces to build up a world of sport that is fair, equal and just.