Boston Attacks

Sport Mega Events and Security
10/05/2013 16:16

ICSSPE wishes to express sincere condolences to those affected by the explosions at the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 15th.

 

Scenes of heroism could be seen all across Boston on the day of one of it’s greatest events, the Boston Marathon, which passes through eight Massachusetts Towns and counts a total length of 26.2 miles. All along Commonwealth Avenue and up through Back Bay, people simultaneously tried to figure out what had happened, and how they could help. Several runners crossed the finish line at Boylston Street and continued straight on towards the hospital to donate blood.

 

The Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace, Wilifried Lemke, spoke in reaction to the attack on Boston, stating, “This appalling and cowardly attack is not only a violent act against innocent civilians, it is also an attack against the values of sport which can foster mutual understanding and friendship”. Mr. Lemke expressed, “It seems by attacking those participating in sport, the perpetrators also try to sabotage peaceful and joyful encounters, and all involved in sport…should defy these despicable acts by continuing to actively harness the positive values of sport”. The German Federal Minister of the Interior Dr. Hans-Peter Friedrich, speaking from Berlin on 16 April, said, "Yesterday a devious attack took place at the traditional Boston Marathon. I am deeply concerned about what happened, both as man and in my functions as Minister for security and sport matters. [...] Since the event we are in constant communication with our U.S. partners [...] The security situation in Germany is unchanged. "  

 

Friedrich will welcome representatives of UNESCO member states, the sport world and civil society to 5th International Conference of Sport Ministers and Senior Officials Responsible for Sport and Physical Education, which will be held in Berlin, Germany, from 28-30 May 2013. Amongst the topics on the agenda of the conference are the significance of sport mega events and the complexity of hosting such.