Feature: Sport and Human Rights
No.48
September 2006
 
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Quote - Anita DeFrantz
 

"I believe that sport is a birthright. Other animals may play or learn to fight to protect their territory, but we are the only species that takes part in sport. I believe this is because sport requires a high level of thought. This is necessary to direct the body through the dimensions of time and space, which all sport requires. Sports belong to us all.
Opportunity to take part in sport is a measure of human rights. There have been vicious acts of retaliation for taking part in sport. Exclusion from sport based on sex, skin color, economic or political statuses are all indicators that a society has failed in providing human rights. It means that people have been denied access to a birthright."

Anita DeFrantz
Amateur Athletic Foundation
International Olympic Committee




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