Youth from around the world stood in solidarity for the Opening of the UTS Festival.
Bangkok was the host and cities from as far as Washington to Abu Dhabi to Los Angeles to Ekaterinburg to Astana to the Gold Coast, all took center stage with a united voice for inclusion, equality, nondiscrimination and for peace.
IOC President, Thomas Bach, applauded United Through Sports for this initiative. The IOC has proudly given patronage to this event which has invited youth of all abilities and backgrounds into an all inclusive event.
IPC President, Andrew Parsons, encouraged the Youth of the world to continue to be role models, to remain active and be united in the spirit of sport for a better tomorrow.
Mary Davis, CEO of Special Olympic,s praised the organizers in their ability to demonstrate the power of inclusive sport for all.
8th UN Gneral Secretary, Ban Ki-moon, stated, “United we must stand for the rights of youth ensuring equality and inclusion for all youth.
GAISF and SportAccord President, Rafaelle Chiulli, stated that the GAISF family and members are playing an active part in this initiative and that we all must continue to promote and celebrate the fundamental principles of equality, diversity and inclusion.
The President of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, General Prawit Wongsuwan, stated that the Kingdom of Thailand is proud to host the youth of the world in this Youth Festival 2020, thanking all the organizations and the youth.
Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, Thailand’s IOC Member and Chair of the LOC, stated the pandemic requires our solidarity and unity and that we all must work together for the benefit of all our youth.
UTS President, Stephan Fox, thanked all the participating youth and stated that today’s youth is our hope for the future and witnessing the inspiring messages of the Youth Ambassadors can only inspire us more to stand for and with the youth of the world on this United Nations World Children’s Day.
The Youth of the world came together in song and harmony to welcome the athletes and the world with classics like “Ain’t no Mountain High”, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, “Heal the World” and “Happy”. Over the next days they will compete in 5 different competitions and reunite together again for the Closing Ceremony on the 22nd.