Though this may sound unrealistic to some of us, it is the logical sequel to a normal process of inclusion of our dear and beautiful sporting Africa in what may look like an impossible situation.
As a matter of fact, this is a very simplistic perception of the cherished values of the international Olympic movement, which aims to make sport a vehicle for peace, love, solidarity, sharing and fair play.
This universal approach transcends all past divisions on the participation of Africa in the Olympic Winter Games.
Such views are overly outdated and have now been written off since the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa and Gangwon Province, Republic of South Korea.
Thanks to this agreement, we will proudly develop Winter Sports and share the experience of organising the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games.
The maiden and historic materialisation of this unprecedented initiative is the opening of the Pyongyang Winter Sports Training Camp as part of the Horizon Academy Programme. This took place from 30 May to 12 June 2022 with resounding success, and confirmed our common aspirations for this ambitious and innovative cooperation.
ANOCA aims, through this collaboration, to establish a dynamic and proactive cooperation with the entire Gangwon region for the benefit of African youth, for whom we are doing our utmost to offer a gamut of opportunities through sport.
The opening of the training camp for the winter sports project in Pyongyang is a unique event, which is why we are combining our efforts to develop winter sports.
Among the strong actions that underlie this ground-breaking project are cooperation in encouraging young Africans to participate in the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games, cooperation in participating in the winter sports support project for young people from snowless countries and support for joint organisation of the Games by the two Koreas (South-North) with the goal of achieving “Peace Olympics”.
Special thanks to Mr William Frederick BLICK, IOC member, who contributed to the success of this exciting programme. He is a well spring of inspiration to the parties.
We are equally grateful to IOC President, Dr Thomas BACH, for his involvement in the success of the Horizon Academy Programme.
We also thank all ANOCA Executive Committee members for their commitment and full participation in the implementation of this project.
Our participation testifies to our unbending will to lend momentum to the powerful union of Sport and Olympism across Africa and the world over.
We look forward to massive participation by all 54 African NOCs so that African youth can benefit from it fully and effectively.
With or without snow, WE STAND WITH THE WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES GANGWON 2024.
Mustapha Berraf
IOC Member
President of ANOCA
