A/69/340 speech (CERD/C/GC/35 and Corr. 1), the Committee stated that racist hate speech could take many forms and was not confined to explicitly racial re marks, and that speech attacking particular racial or ethnic groups might employ indirect language in order to disguise its targets and objectives. The Committee also recommended that States parties give due attention to all manifestations of racist hate s peech and take effective measures to combat them, including such non -verbal forms of expression as the display of racist symbols, images and behaviour at public gatherings, including sporting events. In paragraph 8 of the recommendation, the Committee considered that the importance of article 7 of the Convention had not diminished over time, noting that it highlighted the role of teaching, education, culture and information in the promotion of inter-ethnic understanding and tolerance. 27. In the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (A/CONF. 189/12 and Corr. 1, chap. I), several important areas of action to combat racism and related intolerance were highlighted, in particular the positive contribution of sport in the prevention of racism, violent nationalistic ideologies and xenophobic sentiments, particularly among young people. Recalling the Olympic spirit, with its emphasis on human understanding, tolerance, fair play and solidarity, States are urged in paragraphs 86 and 218 of the Programme of Action to implement legal sanctions in respect of incitement to racial hatred, in accordance with relevant international human rights law and in cooperation with intergovernmental organizations, the International Olympic Committee and international and regional sports federations, to intensify the fight against racism in sport. States are also encouraged to implement, in cooperation with relevant stakeholders, educat ional measures aimed at teaching youth the Olympic spirit through sports practised without discrimination. 28. The General Assembly has, on a regular basis, adopted resolutions addressing the global efforts aimed at the total elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and the comprehensive implementation of and follow up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. 16 In those resolutions, the General Assembly invited Member States to demonstrate greater commitment to fighting racism in sport by conducting educational and awareness raising activities and by strongly condemning the perpetrators of racist incidents, in cooperation with national and international sports organizations . Furthermore, the Assembly expressed its concern at the increasing incidence of racism in various sporting events, while noting with appreciation the efforts undertaken by some governing bodies of the various sports federations to combat racism. In that regard, it invited all international sporting bodies to promote, through their national, regional and international federations, a world of sport free from racism and racial discrimination. 29. In particular, the General Assembly has called upon States to take advantage of mass sporting events as valuable outreach platforms for mobilizing people and conveying crucial messages about equality and non-discrimination and urged States, in cooperation with intergovernmental organizations, the International Olympic Committee and international and regional sports federations, to intensify the fight __________________ 16 14-59616 Resolutions 58/160, 59/177, 60/144, 61/149, 62/220, 63/242, 64/148, 65/240, 66/144, 67/155 and 68/151. 9/21