In this Olympic year, Groupe SOS, long committed to inclusive sport, sheds a light on the importance of making sport a true driver of social cohesion.
It is time to adopt a bold approach focused on two major objectives: promoting the values of sport as a lever for social and professional inclusion and combating all forms of discrimination in the sporting realm by establishing concrete policies and measures to ensure a fair sporting environment.
Despite progress, sport remains a fertile ground for all kinds of discrimination. Racial, gender, and sexual orientation barriers persist in many sports disciplines, hindering access and opportunities for many individuals.
Through the actions of its associations, including initiation programmes, coaching training, and inclusive events, Groupe SOS has long been invested in inclusion through sports, at local, national, and international levels. The challenge? To transform the sporting landscape into a more equitable and inclusive arena.
In 2023, Groupe SOS launched the Foundation for Inclusive Sport, a major initiative aimed at combating ongoing discrimination in sport. The Foundation is committed to supporting access to physical and sporting activities for everyone, without any form of discrimination, regardless of age, gender, origin, health status, disability, or beliefs.
The Inclusive Sport Tour, co-organised by the Foundation for Inclusive Sport, the Le Refuge Foundation, and the Foundation for Inclusion, took place from 29 March to 18 May 2024. This travelling event visited several French cities, including Marseille, Nanterre, Montpellier, Lyon, and Toulouse, highlighting football, handball, and rugby as vehicles for unity and inclusion. The main aim of this tour was to foster meetings and exchanges between various stakeholders: sports clubs, young people from disadvantaged areas, and LGBT+ associations to promote inclusion and diversity through sport.
“By using sport as a powerful lever for integration and social cohesion, the Foundation for Inclusive Sport and Groupe SOS are committed every day to breaking down barriers to ensure no one is left on the sidelines. The goal? To offer everyone the opportunity to thrive, develop their potential, and build connections through sport.”
Jeff Puech, co-founder of the Foundation for Inclusive Sport.
The French Ministry of Sports and the Olympic and Paralympic Games and Groupe SOS have signed a partnership agreement under the National Cause 2024, to promote physical and sporting activity across France as a tool for inclusion!
22 November 2024
20 November 2024
19 November 2024