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President of the Republic Address at the European Olympic Committee's 24th Seminar in Estonia Concert Hall on 16 May 2003
16.05.2003


Dear leaders of the Olympic movement,

Allow me to greet you on behalf of the people of Estonia and thank you for organising the event in Estonia - this is a sign of respect to Estonia and recognition of the achievements of the small Estonian nation in sports. This is especially significant for us now when Estonia is going to accede to the European Union.

Father of the modern Olympic movement Pier de Coubertin stressed more than a hundred years ago that in life it is not the victory but fair play, which counts. In view of this principle, sports are bringing up new and new generations of people, physically and mentally fit. It is impossible to overestimate its significance for the future of our small nation.

Top sport has a thankworthy role to offer participation and triumph to many more than just contestants themselves. I do not think I am exaggerating when saying that Estonia's participation in the Olympic movement has offered jubilant moments to the entire nation. We have admired the ability of our sportsmen to set high goals and have victory over oneself. However, we have experienced that the victory over oneself and triumph of a sportsman can be a national holiday.

It is said that the broader the base, the higher the peak. Indeed, if we were to compare the number of medals we got at championships last winter to the number of people living in Estonia, we could think that tens of millions of people live here. As we know the reality - the still scarce taxpayer money does not keep up with the needs of the professional sports - the secret to the success has to lie somewhere else.

This lies, first and foremost, in the enthusiastic commitment of sportsmen and their assistant staff, which has allowed Estonia to promote itself abroad. It looks like we have used this opportunity better than any marketing or image campaign would allow. However, such a result would not be possible without values underlined by the Estonian sports leaders and Olympic movement and the efficient use of human and material resources.

It is definitely not a business project but a noble and exciting spectacle, which attracts more and more young people and encourages them to aspire perfection. A dozen states that established the modern Olympic movement are gathering more and more followers all over the world. Primarily, this is a triumph of Europe as the cradle of the Olympics, but also a triumph of all nations. Ever since the ancient times the Olympic Games have been besides being a testing place of fair play and human capabilities, also a celebration of peace and friendship. I do hope I am expressing our common wish that the Games would last.

I wish you persistence and success in carrying forward the noble idea of the Olympics.


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