2020 #OPVM & 2022 #ER2OI AT-A-Glance
What is the #Olympic Paralympic Values Matter (2022 #OPVM) campaign and petition?
They are public awareness campaigns to remind the world of the power of Olympic & Paralympic (O&P) values and ideals when nurtured appropriately to change lives and society. Generations of O&P heroes and moments have demonstrated and inspired the best in humanity – now, more than ever, we need all members of the global Olympic & Paralympic family - athletes, nations, citizen spectators as well as sporting, sponsoring, and civil society partners - to champion the values and ideals of the Games.
Why is 2022 #OPVM needed?
Olympians and Paralympians put it on the line every day and hold themselves accountable to demonstrate and inspire the VALUES - Excellence, Respect, Friendship, Determination, Courage, Inspiration, and Equality - and the MISSION of the Games - 'building a better and more peaceful world'. The athletes deserve the world’s attention and praise. They also deserve Games free of controversy and conflict, threats of boycotts, and political gamesmanship. And they deserve a global O&P family that supports them in championing these values and ideals for a better Games and world.
What is the main “ASK” of 2022 #OPVM to athletes, spectators, and others?
1. Visit and sign the online petition on the Home Page..
2. Download and share the #OPVM Hashtag and images (see above) during the duration of the Beijing Winter Games.
Why now?
The 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics started with an unprecedented number of challenges swirling around the world and the Games. The 2022 Winter Olympics saw transcendent athletic feats tragically overshadowed by unprecedented controversy, conflict, and anti-Olympic behavior. A prominent member of the Olympic/Paralympic family's invasion - and violation of the 'Olympic Truce' - in the midst of the Games made things worse. It seems a good time to remind the world of the original purpose, meaning, and power of the Games. The 2020 #OPVM petitions will run at least through the end of the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympic Games (March 13, 2022).
Is this political?
No. The 2022 #OPVM campaign is focused on the positive – i.e., affirming virtuous Olympic and Paralympic ideas and ideals – not on the negative – i.e., calling out specific actors or actions not in compliance with them.
Who is behind the 2022 #OPVM Campaign?
Long-time Olympic and Paralympic advocate Charles Altekruse (’80 & ’88 USA Rowing) teamed up with a diverse group of fellow athletes from the San Francisco Bay Area who care about the Games and world and want to share their unique skills, experiences, and insights as Olympians and Paralympians to launch 2022 #OPVM.
What are the goals and objectives of the 2022 #OPVM Campaign and Petition?
The campaign has three inter-related objectives:
1. Promote the core Olympic & Paralympic Values: ‘Excellence, Respect, & Friendship’ together with ‘Courage, Determination, Inspiration, & Equality’
2. Promote the core Olympic & Paralympic Ideals/Mission: ‘Educating youth through sport to contribute to building a better and more peaceful world’…where every child can dream “Faster, Higher, Stronger - Together!” (Olympic Motto).
3. Promote the global Olympic & Paralympic Family. Every family member - athlete (active/alumni), nation, and spectator as well as civil society, sporting, and sponsor partner - can shape and support the O&P Games, Values, and Ideals. Eventually, we will promote a #2022 OPVM-like 'Oath' to include in future Closing Ceremonies where the worldwide Olympic & Paralympic family can share a commitment to live, model, and promote O&P values everyday.