National Olympic Committee of Puerto Rico
EDUCATION CONCERNING THE OLYMPIC TRUCE
San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2014 – Last January, the Puerto Rican Olympic Committee (COPUR) launched its new institutional campaign, Olympic Truce, conveying a message of harmony to the Puerto Rican people: “Our country needs peace, I’m counting on you”. The message is voiced by athletes who share their experience. They tell about their lives, about how they see and feel about their country, and about the impact sport has had on them.
The campaign is not confined to traditional media and social networks: it has already entered an educational phase in which children and youths are introduced to the history of Olympism and are told how a truce can contribute to building a better country.
The campaign talks start with a presentation of the Olympic rings. COPUR wants to see how familiar audiences are with the Olympic symbol. This is followed by a discussion about what the symbol represents. Next comes a short history lesson about ancient and modern Olympic games, and from there the discussion turns to Puerto Rico, its history in Olympism and the major highlights for Puerto Rican delegations: from medals to the Helsinki flag in 1952 to the first Puerto Rican woman to participate in Olympic games…in short, a summary of our country’s history inside the Olympic Games. Thence the discussion turns to what the Olympic Truce is, based on the three core Olympic values of respect, friendship and excellence.
Besides stories, the talk also uses film and other media to steer the discussion towards negative social situations, their possible solutions, and how people can imagine peace. Although the talks are delivered by Olympic Committee personnel, from the president down to communications staff, one of the most important resources to get the message across are both active and retired athletes.
The first to hear the Olympic Truce talks were university students doing an internship in congress. Then, COPUR seized the annual weekly event of the Boys and Girls Clubs—entities working for the integral development of youth—as an opportunity to visit two of them: Aguas Buenas and San Lorenzo.
“It is important that we take the message to everyone in every place, regardless of their age. Children, no matter how small, are fertile soil to sow the seeds of Olympism and Olympic values,” said COPUR president SaraRosario, who had the opportunity to speak with children 7 to 14 years old at the Aguas Buenas club.
Tingui Vargas sees the campaign as an opportunity to pass on his experience to the younger generation. Vargas, who recently retired from sports, spent time sharing anecdotes with youths in the San Lorenzo Boys and Girls Club upon their invitation.
The Olympic gymnast spoke of his career and of what sports had contributed to his life. “Sport is not only about competing and winning. Thanks to sport I was able to study, earn a bachelor’s and a master’s degree, and I am presently finishing up a doctorate degree. I don’t think I could have done that if it hadn’t been for sports,” Tingui said.
When asked what medal had been the most important for him, Tingui did not dither to reply “none”. “Medals are important, but what mattered to me more than all the medals I won was to make it to the final at the Olympics in Greece. That had more value for me at the time, and it still does. Not everyone makes it to the Olympics. My goal upon getting there was to make it to that final; it was the most important moment of my career. The sacrifice, the pain, the tears and joy were all worth it when I reached that moment. It is important for you to know that everything in life requires sacrifice. But that sacrifice is always rewarded”, Vargas emphasized while the youths listened carefully.
COPUR proposes the Olympic Truce talks to elementary schools, middle schools and high schools, as well as to university groups, clubs, institutions and communities.
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Digital COPUR
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Contact: Lcda. Marilú Otero, Communication and Press, Puerto Rican Olympic Committee// 787-209-3574 //motero@copur.pr
