Dear friends of sport,

I was delighted to learn that the Erasmus+ project called Run – Swim – Learn! In the Spirit of Pierre de Coubertin capitalises on a famous phrase of Baron Pierre de Coubertin on winning and taking part. I absolutely agree with the founder of modern Olympics that the most important thing in sport is not winning but taking part, as an essential thing in life is not always conquering but fighting well.

In view of the above, I am pleased to note that this publication intertwines two important topics of the EU agenda, which are education in and through sport, together with health enhancing physical activities. Indeed, in current digital era, the role of sport is more significant than ever before. In order to keep our sport heritage alive for next generations, it is important to blend traditional elements with novelties and that is exactly what I found in a frame of this project.

In my former capacity as a Head of the European Commission's Sports Unit, I had a chance to witness different national approaches and attitudes of the EU Member States regarding sport policies. Being deeply involved in the work of the Presidencies of the Council of the European Union from 2013 to 2020, I was responsible for developing EU sports strategies in cooperation with fifteen Presidencies. In light of this, I appreciated a lot that this project was a follow up of the Slovak Presidency conference on education in and through sport in 2016, where we had an opportunity to discuss the legacy of Baron Pierre de Coubertin.

I was also delighted to see in the project how the implementation of the relevant sports policies proposed during the Slovak, Finish and Slovenian Presidencies of the Council of the European Union has successfully entered practical life. In addition, I was happy to learn that this project addressed the very recent topics as well, as I consider them for a key pillar of current sporting progress.

In addition, a handbook entitled Run – Swim – Learn! In the Spirit of Pierre de Coubertin is full of relevant information and new ideas on education in and through sport. Anyone who is interested in these topics can find it wonderful publication. Vivid pictures just underpin the fantastic sporting ambience and active approach of all involved stakeholders. This project shows, if needed, that sport and its small collaborative partnerships are an important part of the European Union's Erasmus + programme. EU funding can provide as much support to stakeholders as this handbook shows.

Thanks to an initiative of the project coordinator, I had an opportunity to personally meet several sport personalities to whom one of the handbook chapters is dedicated to. It was very inspirational to learn that a popular Slovak scientist Viliam Novák actively promotes sport values throughout his entire life. In his eighties, being still an active runner, he absolutely belongs to the most influencing personalities in the world of sport.

I still have in my mind engaging discussions with him on the potential of sports values in today's global world. I was impressed by his life approach on multiculturalism, which took us even beyond the borders of the European Union. With more than 120 marathons and ultramarathons, including Boston, New York, London, Berlin, Beijing, or Paris marathon, he fully deserves a huge admiration for his sports achievements. An icing on the cake was his ambition for 2022 to compete internationally in long-distance runs to celebrate his 80th birthday. That is just breath-taking and worth sharing!

It is clear that this project was in hands of enthusiastic people who are fully determined to promote sport values across sectors. I fully agree with the project coordinator, that sport vibrations are contagious and everyone who is in contact with sports actors have no way to escape from active participation. My personal and unique marathon experience was a good example and consequence of this saying.

In conclusion, allow me to congratulate the authors of this project for an excellent work in spreading ideas on education in and through sport and wish all stakeholders good luck in the planned follow-up activities.

I am glad that the project partners can declare through this portal and booklet that the mission of the project is accomplished. Given the fact that despite the Covid-19 pandemic they were able to achieve their goals within the planned time horizon, I have no doubts that the sustainability of the project will be as successful as their work throughout the project.