Mr. Director,
What is the situation of sport in summer? First, February is the traditional holiday month in our culture and a large number of people change their routines and activities. However, there are many young people and children who, from mid-December to the beginning of March, change their schedules and take advantage of their free time.
In general, this free time is effectively used by performing physical activities, games, field trips, traditional and non-traditional sports, in a context of fun, as well as training or, simply, to improve physical condition and well-being.
This opportunity has important meaning for the best development of the person and the communities, but curiously they are not related to what is called “doing sports” or “being an athlete”. These activities are typical of sport and those who perform them should be considered athletes. It should be remembered that the definition of sport, according to the Sports Law No. 19,712, thus declares this broad view and diverse objectives of sport.
Second, our traditional sports structure has distanced itself from these same activities, with the consequence that our sport and our athletes are only those who seek high performance and future professionalism. This is how the activities organized by clubs, leagues and sports associations are practically suspended for “holidays”.
Thus, sport is setting a trend that is detrimental to the definition and value of sport, a value that goes far beyond the results of competitions and rankings. This also goes to the detriment of the same results of these competitions, because the summer time is certainly the best time to do sports, be it in any of its levels and objectives.
Jaime Fillol
Director of the Institute of Sport and Well-being U. Andrés Bello
