Mercedes Coghen, CEO of the Madrid 2016 Olympic bid, will share Madrid’s vision of hosting the 2016 ‘Games with the Human Touch’, at the second International Peace and Sport Forum.
The forum, brings together 300 high-profile figures to explore new ways of introducing sport as a vehicle for tolerance, harmony, respect, sharing, citizenship and self-achievement. This is particularly relevant in communities around the world affected by conflict, poverty or lack of social cohesion.
Coghen will outline the initiatives already in place to unite people of all ages and social backgrounds through sport in Spain including The Madrid Generation 16 initiative iwhich seeks to promote these values through education programmes for all ages and aims to demonstrate how sport can have long-term social and cultural benefits.
The diverse Spanish capital is home to over 190 different nationalities and also aims to ensure that every citizen is part of the Olympic Village in 2016. With the message of ‘Hola Everyone’, Madrid invites people - regardless of age, nationality or social background – to share in the most inclusive Games of all time. Sport is ingrained in Madrid and the growing excitement is mirrored in the high level of public support for hosting the 2016 Games, with 93% of people in favour.
Speaking at the event Mercedes Coghen said, “It is inspiring to meet people from around the world who share Madrid’s goal of uniting people through sport and creating a lasting legacy for peace and tolerance. Madrid has vast experience of hosting sporting events on every level and we aim to share this knowledge today.”
