Saying Yes To Diversity in Sport

Saying Yes to Diversity in Sport – A theme that could not have been chosen better for the 3^rd edition of the International Convention on Science, Education and Medicine in Sport….

…Not only, because of the growing demand for equal opportunities and inclusiveness in sport and physical education, but also because all three editions of ICSEMIS – China 2008, United Kingdom 2012 and now Brazil, have offered something unique which was based on the respective culture of the host.

Despite political and economic challenges, the host of the 2016 ICSEMIS, the Federal University of Sao Paulo, did a lot to make the delegates, according to registrations more than 2000, feel welcome. A diverse conference programme, Brazilian hospitality, the smiles of the volunteers, the location of the Convention Centre not far away from the Ocean, provided very good prerequisites for a successful stay in the city of Pele’s home club.

When the concept of ICSEMIS was developed by the IPC, FIMS, IOC and ICSSPE, the intention was to provide opportunities for knowledge exchange in sport, science, medicine and education. A special emphasis was put on the implementation of interdisciplinary symposia at which participants would jointly look for answers to current issues in global sport. After 2012 the IOC terminated their participation in this partnership.

Still convinced that certain developments in sport can only be addressed satisfactorily, when different disciplines cooperate, the three remaining partners are now analysing how the ICSEMIS concept can be refined in order to ensure an effective as well as a balanced and global communication across disciplines and sectors.

Overall, ICSEMIS 2016 was an important experience. Participants were challenged, educated and made welcome in a very Brazilian way.