FIA and IOC agree on promoting road safety

Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) President Jean Todt and International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) concerning the promotion of joint road safety campaigns across their shared platforms and ahead of sporting events.

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FIA and IOC agree on promoting road safety
© IOC/Christophe Moratal

A working group has been established that will develop a specific programme of cooperation recommendations, and will explore actions and initiatives to provide education in the field of road safety.

In particular, it has been agreed that the IOC will help the FIA promote road safety across its media channels and Olympic Movement network.

“Making the world healthier and safer for all is a team effort,” said IOC President Thomas Bach.

© IOC/Christophe Moratal

“It is my hope that by working together, we can make a difference, in raising awareness and educating the public about the importance of road safety.”

IOC support will include the upcoming FIA “3,500 lives” campaign, which is to be launched on 10 March 2017. The campaign will involve five Olympic and Paralympic athletes: tennis player Rafael Nadal (ESP), track and field sprinters Yohan Blake (JAM) and Wayde Van Niekerk (RSA), long-distance runner Haile Gebrselassie (ETH) and track athlete Vanessa Low (GER).

“I am delighted to formalise cooperation with the IOC on the promotion of key road safety messages across the different channels of the Olympic Movement,” said Jean Todt, President of the FIA. 

“The support of the IOC and its athletes can help to engage young people on this issue in a powerful way,” he added.