The EOC today marked the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace by joining the #WhiteCard campaign and issuing a call for continued support of the people of Ukraine.

EOC President Spyros Capralos shared the following message with the European Olympic Movement:

“Every year since 2013, 6 April has brought the sports movement together with a shared purpose. Sport drives social change and helps foster peace and understanding. There are so many excellent initiatives from the European NOC family that I could speak about, ranging from gender equality initatives, to programmes targeted at improving cultural and religious understanding.

“However, we must also recognise that 6 April is different this year. There is no doubt that with the war in Ukraine we are in times of darkness. But in times of darkness we must search for light. In this context, I want to thank everyone in the European Olympic Movement for their solidarity with the Ukrainian Olympic Community.The support that has been provided by European NOCs has helped Ukrainian athletes continue competing, as we saw together in Vuokatti during the EYOF.

“Together, we are stronger! We must continue to be united, show compassion, and offer our support in any and every way that we can. For today, I urge you to join me in raising your White Card, and signal your commitment to peace. Let’s give peace a chance!”

The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace was created by the UN in 2013 and is supported by the IOC. The date of 6 April was chosen due to its ties to the anniversary of the first modern Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, in 1896.