Zagreb, September 19, 2024 – The 10th-anniversary edition of the European Week of Sport, an initiative by the European Commission, organized in Croatia by the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, will take place from September 23 to 30. Citizens of all ages will have the opportunity to enjoy various activities across Croatia.
- Throughout the years, the turnout for exercises and numerous events has been massive, and it will be the same this year. We have more than 100 activities prepared for the eight events organized by the Ministry alone, not including the events planned by other cities, municipalities, and stakeholders. We are optimistic, and this is an opportunity to once again show just how important sports are and how beneficial it is to be involved in sports. We shouldn’t only focus on professional sports but also on recreational sports, which make us healthier and happier - said State Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, Josip Pavić, who invited all citizens to join the initiative and find a physical activity suited to them.
The European Week of Sport program begins on Monday, September 23, at Cvjetni Square in Zagreb, from 3 PM to 5 PM. In collaboration with the Croatian Olympic and Paralympic Committees, citizens will have the chance to meet our Olympians and Paralympians, participants of the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. The program will include sports activities, quizzes about Olympians, and a showcase of Living Pictures, which will bring to life the history of Croatian Olympism and sports, including our great athletes such as Franjo Bučar, Milan Neralić, Mate Parlov, and Dražen Petrović.
- The #BeActive initiative, the European Week of Sport, has been highly successful, with activities in 40 European countries, extending beyond the European Union. Last year, we had more than 37,000 activities across Europe during this week, with almost 11 million EU citizens participating in all these events. In the Croatian context, I’d like to thank the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, which has been a loyal partner in promoting a more active lifestyle for citizens of all ages, and that’s what matters. Croatia is fantastic in elite sports, but there’s still plenty of room to raise awareness among the general population about how important physical activity is for all of us - said Andrea Čović Vidović, Deputy Head of the European Commission Representation in Croatia.
The Vintage Sports Day, held on September 25 in Kutjevo, will present traditional sports of the Požega-Slavonia County through an intergenerational Olympics, promoting Olympic values. The School Day in Makarska, on September 27, will provide local schoolchildren with an opportunity to experience the Olympic spirit through sports activities and the illustrated book "The Olympic Primer."
- Personally, sport is very important to me; it’s part of my daily life. Sport runs in my blood, and as a kinesiologist, I feel it's my mission to encourage people to stay active. The statistics on the number of active people in Croatia are quite disheartening, and I think this needs to change, not just for physical appearance but also for health. Physical activity affects both mental and physical health, offering a wide range of benefits, including weight management, strengthening the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems, and improving bone density, which is crucial as we age, particularly for women’s health - said Matea Parlov Koštro, an outstanding marathon runner and two-time Croatian Olympian.
On Saturday, September 28, Dubrovnik will host a special #BeActive Night event as part of the 10th edition of the European Week of Sport. This unique program will be held on the terrace of the Revelin Fortress, starting at 7 PM, offering Dubrovnik residents a chance to enjoy a free three-hour sports gathering. Participants will exercise under the stars, accompanied by stunning light effects and music, with well-known trainers and local sports clubs leading the activities.
The National Day – Sports Village will be celebrated on September 29 in Metković, where local clubs and associations will showcase their activities, motivating citizens to engage in physical activity. The final day, September 30, will focus on promoting exercise in the workplace, with a special emphasis on encouraging employees to exercise during working hours and while commuting.
- All events are aligned with the European Commission's guidelines on green sports, emphasizing the importance of environmental sustainability. The goal is to promote a healthy lifestyle that includes not only physical activity but also healthy eating, environmental care, and a holistic approach to health - said Marija Jurčević, Head of the Department for International Sports Cooperation at the Ministry of Tourism and Sport.
The #BeActive campaign calls on citizens to stay active not only during the European Week of Sport but throughout the year. The European Commission emphasizes the importance of a healthy lifestyle and supports initiatives such as #HealthyLifeStyle4All, with a special focus on Olympic values – friendship, excellence, respect, unity, equality, and solidarity.
