After reading excerpts from what has been called Pope Francis’s “secular encyclical,” here are the comments from some local sports figures.
The Departmental Olympic and Sports Committee of the Alpes-Maritimes is, by statute, an association that is apolitical and does not intervene in the matters of any religion.
Nevertheless, it is interesting to read carefully when the leader of one of the world’s most powerful religions speaks about sports with the release of the book “Sport According to Pope Francis.”
Highlighting the Olympic motto “faster, higher, stronger” is greatly appreciated. Spirituality is one of the elements that shape the mind, but sport helps to build men and women well beyond this spirituality.
Olympic values are viewed from the perspective of faith, but “Friendship, Respect, and Excellence,” the main values of Olympism, can be continuously applied in everyday life. Let’s also remember this strong message “let’s live it!” by looking at sport as the direction to take to build ourselves in today’s complex and difficult world.
Philippe MANASSERO, President CDOS 06
