The EU Sport Forum brings together stakeholders in the European sports world from the European Union institutions, European sports federations and organisations, Member States and other interested parties. The 2008 forum was held to coincide with an informal meeting of EU Sports Ministers under the French Presidency.

Enrique Sánchez-Guijo took part in the second panel discussion on “Support for grassroots sports in Europe”, focussing on the situation faced by European sports organisations with limited resources and, in particular, those organisations involved in sports for people with disabilities.

The first panel discussion concerned the implementation of the EU White Paper on Sport, while the final session centred on the specificity of sport.

Mr Sánchez-Guijo expressed his satisfaction at being given the opportunity to put the disability sport perspective to the forum. Following his presentation he said; “I was very happy to have the opportunity to bring the disability sport viewpoint to the table at this event, as so often it is overlooked.”

He went on to add; “Following on from the financial support we now enjoy and the joint declaration we signed in Beijing in September, it is just one more sign of how the EU is taking disability sport seriously and engaging with the Paralympic movement in Europe for the benefit of athletes with disabilities.’

Click here to view or download the full text of Mr Sánchez-Guijo’s intervention. The presentation is also available in the 'Documents' section (click on link below).