IOC and WHO Collaborate to Combat Physical Inactivity through Sport
Global Health Initiative Focuses on Youth and Community Engagement
Global leaders have underscored the critical need to address the rising rates of physical inactivity, particularly among young people, as a major public health concern. This issue poses a significant threat to the health and well-being of future generations.
Emma Zweibler, CEO of the World Federation of Sports Governing Bodies and International organizations, highlighted that WHO statistics show 80% of adolescents do not meet recommended physical activity levels. This trend is alarming, as it indicates that entire future generations are at risk of being physically inactive, which negatively affects their physical, mental, and social well-being.
Dr. Thornton emphasized that physical inactivity is a major contributor to noncommunicable diseases, which were responsible for over 43 million deaths in ight 2021, according to WHO data. Recognizing physical inactivity as a key modifiable risk factor, the IOC is using sport as a tool to drive holistic and systemic change.
A notable example of this strategy is the Community Sport and Health Cooperation initiative, a joint program between the IOC and WHO, supported by the global NGO PATH. Currently active in Ghana, Tanzania, Vietnam, Peru, and Nepal, the initiative strengthens collaboration between the sport and health sectors to improve public health outcomes.
Public Campaigns and Olympic Legacy Drive Global Behavior Change
To support grassroots efforts, the IOC is investing in social behavior change through public campaigns. One of the most visible is the Let’s Move initiative, launched in June 2023. In just two years, over 30 million people have engaged in physical activity through Let’s Move and Olympic Day activities. This year, people are encouraged to pick a +1 and start a journey of activity and togetherness, beginning on Olympic Day on 23 June.
Dr. Thornton noted that the Let’s Move campaign emphasizes that movement and sport are for everyone, not just elite athletes. The IOC is committed to scaling the reach and impact of this campaign.
This focus on encouraging movement at scale is also reflected in the legacy of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, which inspired the introduction of a nationwide program promoting 30 minutes of daily physical activity in French schools, demonstrating how the Olympic Games can serve as a catalyst for long-term behavioral and policy change.
The IOC also continues to support National Olympic Committees (NOCs) in delivering sport-for-health initiatives on the ground. These efforts are bolstered through the Olympic Values Initiatives, which provide financial support through Olympic Solidarity to NOCs that are expanding access to sport, particularly in underserved areas.
Collaborative Approach Shines at Upcoming Olympism365 Summit
Dr. Thornton concluded by emphasizing how cross-sector collaboration remains central to the IOC’s strategy to boost the impact of sport on health and development. This collaborative approach will be at the heart of the upcoming Olympism365 Summit: Sport for a Better World, which, from 3 to 5 June, will bring together partners from around the world to showcase and celebrate the collective impact of sport-based initiatives and explore new opportunities for joint action across key areas such as health, inclusion, and education.