A/79/299 individual consultations with athletes, sport experts and civil society. The Special Rapporteur took part in public and academic discussions, and in United Nations forums. To collect views and experiences, a questionnaire was distributed widely in April 2024; 38 responses were received. 5 II. Sport as a cultural expression 7. Sport is a form of physical activity or game. It does not hold the same importance or value for everyone. For some, practising sports is part of their healthy lifestyle and routine, a way to get in touch with their strengths and limitations. For children, physical education and activity is an essential part of growth, learning about the body’s potential and limitations, enhancing socialization, pushing boundaries and forming character. For some, organized sports are mainly a spectacle, a performance or contest governed by rules, through which they can witness the abilities of others, cheer them on and build a sense of shared pride. For others, it is their work and their life. Sports give many a sense of belonging, making them feel part of a team that meets on a regular basis. Participating in sports can foster active citizenship, volunteerism and community engagement, promoting social responsibility and civic participation. For communities around the world, such participation is a matter of identity and pride; through sports, they demand respect and the fulfilment of their rights. In some cases, sports ritualize and channel rivalries and tensions, providing a dedicated space with established rules, in which confrontations are settled in an orderly manner. 8. Whatever sport represents in one’s life, as a participant at the grass -roots level, an amateur or professional athlete, a referee, a coach, an official, a volunteer or a member of the audience, 6 it contributes to who we are. 9. The practice of sports, especially at elite levels, is intended to test the human body. Over the centuries, it has played a role in elaborating representations of the body, not only the body’s abilities but also its aesthetics, promoting certain ideals. Constant exposure to idealized images can lead to body dissatisfaction, particularly among adolescents and young adults, 7 and can make ageing and disabilities more difficult to accept. 8 By encouraging a focus on health, skill improvement and personal growth, rather than purely aesthetic or performance-based goals, coaches, parents and peers can help to cultivate a positive body image among young people. 10. Physical activities and games are deeply rooted in cultural traditions, practices and histories worldwide. They often function as a site of cultural transmission, where values, norms and behaviours are transmitted from one generation to another. In Kenya, for example, the Maasai Olympics 9 have turned traditional warrior games into sporting events to conserve wildlife and reduce inter-tribal conflict. The Olympic Truce, a dedicated period during which wars are stopped and athletes meet in peace to compete in sports, is an excellent expression of how sport captures the value of peace. Sports venues, such as stadiums and arenas, can become important cultural landmarks associated with the history and identity of a particular community or __________________ 5 6 7 8 9 24-14354 The contributions received are on the webpage of the mandate mentioned above and are referred to therein by the name of the submitting stakeholder. Contribution of the Centre for Sport and Human Rights. Marika Tiggemann and Amy Slater, “NetGirls: the Internet, Facebook, and body image concern in adolescent girls”, International Journal of Eating Disorders, vol. 46, No. 6 (September 2013), pp. 630–633. See Philip Hancock and others, The Body, Culture and Society: an Introduction (Open University Press, 2000), and Emmanuelle Tulle, “The ageing body and the ontology of ageing: athletic competence in later life”, Body & Society, vol. 14, No. 3 (September 2008), pp. 1–19. See https://biglife.org/maasai-olympics/. 5/24