6 new Peace Champion members. Photo courtesy of Han Zijun
Chinanews.com, Nov. 10 (Liu Lingling) -- Recently, the Monaco-based international organization Peace and Sports announced six new peace champions who will help peace and sport spread the organization's vision around the world: peace through sport.
Han Zijun. Courtesy of myself
Peace and Sports currently has more than a hundred Peace Champions made up of world-famous athletes, including famous stars Christian Kalembu and Blaise Matuidi, three-time Olympic champion and Paris 2024 Organizing Committee President Tony Estengue, French basketball player Rudy Gobert, and marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe.
Newly selected Peace Champions of Peace and Sports include:
1. Eliaquim Mangala, French/Belgian, international footballer
2. Cheick Cissé, Ivory Coast, Olympic champion in taekwondo
3. Kevin Crovetto, Monaco, gymnastics Olympian
4. Han Zijun, China, mountaineer
5. Svetlana Romashina, Russia, synchronized swimming, 7-time Olympic champion
6. Justine Dupont, France, surfing world champion
Joël Bouzou, President and Founder of Peace and Sport, declared: "Peace champions have become a pillar of peace and sports organizations. The six new athletes will join the top athletes who have joined before, using their image and influence to serve peace through the power of sport. On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of Peace and Sport, the addition of these six athletes also makes its meaning very special. ”
Han Zijun. Courtesy of myself
Han Zijun, the first Chinese female mountaineer to climb Mount Everest from the south and north slopes, said: "I am honored to be the second Chinese peace champion after Guo Chuan, who has always been my role model and driving force. I am preparing for my solo expedition across the South Pole in November 2024 and will soon be going to Norway to start my training. Hopefully, the moment I reach the South Pole, I will be able to raise my white card for peace and sports. I want to inspire more ordinary people like me to do the impossible through sport for peace. ”
Olympic taekwondo champion Cheick Cissé said: "The greatest and most beautiful victories are always collective, so it is important to share and promote the values of sport with young people, inspire future generations and progress together under the banner of sport and peace." ”
Olympian Kevin Crovetto said: "I firmly believe that peace can only be achieved through the education of young people and the transmission of sports values. ”
Svetlana Romashina, seven-time Olympic synchronized swimming champion, said: "I am honoured to join this outstanding family of champions who are uniting all their forces to achieve the noble goals of peace and sport. I also make it my mission to promote peace. ”
Surfing world champion Justine Dupont said: "Peace, sharing and love are fundamental values that we can find in sport. It is an honour to represent these values and to be able to share them with the outstanding athletes of peace and sports organizations. ”
Han Zijun. Courtesy of myself
International footballer Eliaquim Mangala added: "Sport is a symbol of peace and equality. These are the values that have run through my career. I have had the opportunity to meet people from all over the world, share, discover and unite with them. Sport is universal and intercultural; Let us give it a joint status at the highest level and create a space for peace to unite it. I am delighted to join the Peace Champions Club and will contribute to it. ”
All new Peace Champions have demonstrated their belief in the transformative power of sport in their careers, participating in many community-led projects and using their special status as athletes to inspire young people.
Han Zijun. Courtesy of myself
The new champion will bring energy and enthusiasm to the cause and will help Peace and Sport maximize more sports initiatives. They will also be represented at the International Forum for Peace and Sport, to be held in the Principality of Monaco on 30 November and 1 December.