Major sporting events open new possibilities – New fitness awareness
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German enthusiasm – world famous, not only since the world football championship in 2006 |
The former judge at the Federal Constitutional Court, Prof. Dr. Udo Steiner, once called the Federal Republic of Germany a “sporting nation”. The fight for points and records, titles and championships fascinates a great number of people. The population’s enthusiasm kindled by the numerous major sporting events organized in Germany is unequalled. Sports have become instrumental in creating a positive image of Germany abroad.
The Deutsche Olympische Sportbund (German Olympic Sports Confederation – DOSB) is the country’s biggest citizens’ movement with more than 27 million members in more than 90,000 sports clubs. People have never before been more actively engaged in doing sports. The merits of sports are mainly found in their numerous contributions for the social coexistence, especially in imparting their basic values like team spirit, observing rules, fairness and tolerance.
In addition to these priceless values, sports also relieve the state measurably. The Germans spend almost 20 billion euros on sporting activities every year. Sports create approximately 700,000 jobs in our society. The entire sports-related economic performance has a share of 1.4 per cent in the entire gross domestic product of the Federal Republic of Germany.
People have great expectations in sports, especially in the field of health care. The German health system costs 240 billion euros annually, which places it among the most expensive systems in Europe. The higher the expenses the more important do prevention programmes become. Expert opinions of the medical university in Hanover show that up to 40 per cent of the costs in the health sector are caused by the patients’ behaviour. People who have sufficient and regular exercise have a significantly lower risk of falling ill and put less strain on the insurances and the tax payers. According to information of the World Health Organization (WHO), physically active people save 500 euros per year in expenses for the health system.
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Sports – Health care, quality of life and economic factor |
The sports clubs most of all, prevent health problems with their manifold offers. The programmes not only aim at obviating diseases and strengthening the body’s defences. In cooperation with the German Medical Association, the DOSB has introduced a globally unique nationwide, quality assured and economical system which includes hallmarks like SPORT PRO GESUNDHEIT (sports pro health). The manifold programmes of the sports clubs benefit health in a more extensive sense that goes beyond special health sports programmes. Every year “Richtig Fit” (health and fitness) programmes reach more than ten million people in the disciplines running, walking, ski-hiking, swimming, canoeing, rowing, dancing, skating, fitness training and games. Not forgetting the Deutsches Sportabzeichen (German Sports Badge) with its local “get-togethers”.
The members’ broad civic involvement is the supporting column of the sports clubs. Voluntary work and honorary commitment are the heart and the impetus of sports clubs in Germany. The importance of voluntary contributions to the society is increasing. Joint responsibility and commitment for others not only forges social capital, it also opens opportunities for shaping one’s life and finding personal significance.
The more complex modern existence becomes, the more attention we need from others. Expecting it to come generally from public, municipal or commercial institutions would mean to create unaffordable costs. It would also mean to underestimate the readiness to provide voluntary personal contribution and the satisfaction that comes from working for others. Tomorrow’s quality of life also depends on whether people want to live in a mere fun society or in a citizens’ society with a dense network of give and take.
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Cycling is among the most popular types of recreational sports in Germany. |
7.5 million people are involved in sports clubs on an honorary basis; every year voluntarily involved people spend almost 600 million unpaid work hours for their sports, thereby contributing almost 8.5 billion euros to the economic added value. The growing number of voluntary workers is one of the most significant merits of today’s sports.
Without these voluntary workers, major sporting events like the world football and handball championships could not be organized. Even more important, however, is the multiplication effect they have. The volunteers’ excitement for their sports convinces others and thus contributes significantly to furthering the enthusiasm in Germany. The major events are stimulating especially for the youth. In many cases this leads to new memberships in sports clubs, increased fitness among adolescents and strengthened social togetherness.
