Dear Peace and Sport’s Friends,

It is now time to close this wonderful edition of the 2020 Peace and Sport Awards.

Over the last five days, incredible initiatives using sport for the benefit of communities have been awarded. These initiatives have proven the unifying power of sport and its ability to transmit values that are ​​essential to build fair, inclusive and equitable societies.

As Vice President of Peace and Sport, I would like to address my warmest congratulations to the new Champion for Peace of the Year, Lionel Messi, who has applied fair play inside and outside the pitch and for his commitment to peace building activities.

Congratulations also to all the winners and all the nominees for their valuable work in the field!

I would also like to thank all the eminent members of the Jury Committee, to our partners and to my fellow Champions for Peace who mobilized to keep the spirit of the Peace and Sport Awards alive on your screens.

This 2020 Peace and Sport Awards edition, despite such a particular context, was a call for unity. It testified the power of the peace-through-sport movement worldwide.  

I wish a good end of the year to all of you. And keep up doing the great work! Thank you.