WRITTEN QUESTION E-1865/02 by Brian Crowley (UEN) to the Council. Special Olympics 2003 and creating an inclusive sporting environment.
Date: 2002-06-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Ireland, Olympic games, equal treatment, mentally disabled person, public awareness campaign, social integration, sport

17.4.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 92 E/103

restrictions on the media in Zimbabwe, it decided on 18 February to take appropriate measures (1) and
implement targeted sanctions, in particular on a number of people in Zimbabwe closely associated
with the regime. When Zimbabwe subsequently prevented election observers from the EU from doing
their job and when it was confirmed that the elections by all democratic standards were not free and
fair, the European Council decided, on 15 and 16 March, to dispatch a high level troika to the
countries of the SADC region to discuss the EU’s concerns regarding Zimbabwe. The troika led by
State Secretary Nadal visited Mozambique, South Africa and Malawi from 19 to 22 May and reported
to the Council on 17 June on its findings.

7. On 17 June, the Council again expressed its deep concern at the deterioration in the situation and
undertook to monitor events as they unfolded and act accordingly. The Union undertook to respond
generously to the appeal made by the United Nations to alleviate the food and humanitarian crisis that
besets Zimbabwe and other countries in the Region; it also urged the Zimbabwean authorities to
review the process of agricultural reform in accordance with the proposals of the UNDP.

(1) OJ L 50, 21.2.2002.

(2003/C 92 E/106)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1865/02

by Brian Crowley (UEN) to the Council

(28 June 2002)

Subject: Special Olympics 2003 and creating an inclusive sporting environment

As the Council is aware, in 2003 the Special Olympics will be held in Ireland. Will the Council indicate
how it intends to contribute to the success of this event which will be the biggest sporting event to be held
in 2003 and what measures will it support in the future to ensure an inclusive sporting environment for
all?

Reply

(16-19 December 2002)

The Council considers that measures and events, such as the Special Olympics to be held in Ireland in
2003, can be of great assistance in promoting equal opportunities, combating discrimination and ensuring
an inclusive society. However, it should be pointed out that initiatives relating purely to sport do not fall
within the scope of the Treaty establishing the European Community.

In this context it could however be mentioned that some Council decisions are related to ensuring an
inclusive society for all, and thus, indirectly, an inclusive sporting environment.

For example, the year 2003 has been designated as the ‘European Year of People with Disabilities’. The
Council Decision to that effect was adopted in November 2001 (1). This Decision stresses the importance
of promoting equal opportunities (in general) for disabled people in Europe.

At the moment the European Parliament and the Council are considering the Commission proposal
concerning the establishment of the European Year of Education through Sport 2004 (2). One of the
objectives of the proposal (Article 2(5)) is to encourage reflection and discussion on what needs to be done
to promote the social integration of the disadvantaged groups through sport in education.

(1) OJ L 335, 19.12.2001, p. 15.
(2) COM(2001) 584 final of 16.10.2001.