Sport for all

Sport for All” is a much-used slogan for public awareness campaigns to encourage people to get more active and do some exercise, but it's not as easy as that. “Lose weight”, “Stop smoking” “Eat healthier” are all examples of good advice. However, if you happen to be overweight, a smoker or you eat badly, it could be a case of “easier said than done”. Sport is tough, by definition. It is as much of a commitment to watch all the matches, read all the reports and memorise the league tables, as it is to do pull-ups, go running or swimming. Sport isn't easy because apart from the commitment in time and determination, it is also physically demanding. But sport is good. The values and the physical benefits it provides to everyone in society is undeniable. That means any initiative that promotes sport, that encourages it in our children, that helps people unaccustomed to exercise to take the plunge, that displays humanity at its best (and occasionally its worst), should always be promoted.

On pages 32-35 of this month's issue, we have a report providing an overview of the latest project for the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona. Open Camp is the venue's new tenant, an initiative that aims to promote sport by placing visitors in the shoes of professional sports people and athletes, allowing them to try out the discipline for themselves while at the same time gaining an appreciation of its attractions at the highest level. If you've never played baseball or taken a penalty in front of a crowd, or taken your marks before a 100-metre sprint, then Open Camp could be the place for you. I haven't been yet, but I intend to, as it sounds promising to me, both as a fan and as a practitioner.

With the Sant Jordi indoor stadium regularly hosting concerts and trade fairs on the one side, and the Joan Antoni Samaranch Olympic and Sports Museum on the other, and given how important the 1992 Olympics was to the city of Barcelona, it's great to see the Olympic facilities put to good use. More often than not the grand architectural wonders built for major international events end up becoming white elephants. Barcelona's Olympic Stadium also runs that risk, so it is extremely positive to see its role as an important landmark in the city more firmly established. I for one always include it on my checklist whenever I'm showing newcomers around the Catalan capital for the first time.

Open Camp officially opens its doors on June 16, so let's check it out. I don't know about you, but I've never hit a home run!