HOLY SEE REPRESENTED AT WORLD CONFERENCE ON SPORT AND TOURISM

VATICAN CITY, FEB 22, 2001 (VIS) - Msgr. Piero Monni, Holy See permanent observer to the World Tourism Organization, spoke today in Barcelona, Spain, at the World Conference on Sport and Tourism, organized by the WTO. In his speech he highlighted the role that ethics must play in both sport and tourism, and the roles that these sectors play in the formation of an individual.

Msgr. Monni remarked that "today, sports, along with tourism, are social and cultural phenomenon anchored to ancient values and are essential for human beings. These values must be protected from deleterious influences such as intolerance, doping, excessive commercialization, the present-day utilitarian tendencies, and evident private interests which aim at reducing sports to a mere show."

In sports, he said, "fair competition, the sacrifices connected to working out, and healthy competitiveness are the components of a formative path in life. This formation can offer the community strong, well-balanced, well-prepared personalities who can reach other positive goals." This is true, he said, for the adults who educate young people and for the young people who will be the leaders of tomorrow.

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