Study On The Evolution Of The Idea Of Sport For All In Europe

Up to 2015, it has been forty years since the birth of European Sport for All Charter and has been half a century, since the idea of Sport for All was first put forward by the Council of Europe. Today, with the promotion of international sport organizations and institutions such as the Council of Europe, International Olympic Committee and the Association of International Sport for All and the active responses of many countries, governments, who may have different interpretation of the idea of Sport for All, Sport for All is more than just a policy to be carried out in nations, the idea has become a healthy social movement, a global phenomenon.Key themes including the background the idea of sport for all was brought up and how it was evolved in Europe are studied by the author at the first chapter; features of different stages of the development of the idea of Sport for All have been summarized by using Literature Analysis Method in the second chapter. In the third chapter, a case study on the developing model of promoting Sport for All in Germany, as Germany has been very successful in promoting sport participation of both sexes and of all ages. Thus, it is used to specifically illustrate the promotion of the idea of sport for all in a country. Based on the previous analysis, the following five conclusions were made out of the research:Firstly, the nature of the legacy of Sport for All itself should be following the bottom-up law of development; nevertheless, the practice of the idea of Sport for All is a top-down policy making and enforcing process. Secondly, the development of the idea of Sport for All is a process of alternative culture becoming mainstream culture; it also witnesses or is part of de-sportification and popularization of sport. Thirdly, to promote the idea of Sport for all internationally, it is necessary that countries share with each other their own experiences, and learn from one another, so as to enrich the community of sport for all. Fourthly, it takes both organizers and participants to put the idea into practice. Last but not the least, a well-cooperated triangle relationship between state, private sector and civil society is recommended to be strengthened to promote the socially good idea in a country, including in China.Suggestions are given for further development of the idea of Sport for All in countries in the future:Strengthened cooperation among countries and international sport organizations is recommended to better promote this idea globally; the promotion of sport for all scheme in countries should be more specific, for example group target at child, woman, or disabled groups, etc; government should take initiates in promoting the ideas by strengthening the cooperation with private sector as well as civil society.