Too many athletes end their athletic careers not because they want to, but because they have to. Injuries prevent them from continuing. Others have their careers interrupted for various periods of time for the same reason. This phenomenon is not unique to top level sport. People who are recreationally active for pleasure often suffer injuries that prevent them from participating in activities that they like. There is no question that sports-related injuries are a significant problem both for top level sport and for public health. Physical inactivity is, after all, a major cause for early development of disorders of various kinds.

Therefore, it was with great satisfaction that the IOC financially supported the 1st World Congress …