Giving back

Athletes understand the role they can play in society, and how they can influence future generations. But more than that, today many athletes want to give back to sport what it has given to them. Croatian basketball player Danira Bilic is a good example. As a silver medallist at the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games she gained huge popularity in her home country. Giving back for her meant helping young people in her country. In this video Bilic explains her project, which involved building and repairing 1,000 urban basketball courts all over the country to promote her sport and enable children and teenagers to enjoy it. “Young people need to be given perspectives,” she says, “and sport can make the difference”.

“Towards an active society” is also one of the themes of the Olympic Congress, to be held from 3 to 5 October in Copenhagen. Delegates will explore how to encourage young people to be active. Bilic, like many sporting celebrities, such as Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, Roger Federer and Gabriela Sabatini, is committed to passing on the benefits of sport. It will be up to the Congress to stimulate more ideas that contribute not only to the fight against obesity, but also to ensuring the young generation become responsible citizens.