"This is a unique gathering of experts on what makes young people behave the way they do and we can learn vital lessons for the future," said the American the 1976 and 1984 Olympic 400 metres hurdles champion who is now chairman of Laureus World Sports Academy and is pictured above with nine-time Olympic gold medallist Mark Spitz at the London 2012 Aquatics Centre. 

"At Laureus-supported projects around the world, sport is helping young people to turn away from violence and crime.

"It is about time we took notice of the power of sport.

"It is now more than ten years since our Patron Nelson Mandela told us, 'Sport has the power to change the world' and that has been our driving force ever since.

"[Former South African] President Mandela's speech was a pivotal moment for the sport for good movement and for Laureus.

"Now with so many social problems all around us, I believe we should redouble our efforts to get our message over.

"That is why I am so delighted that we are able to come to London for this landmark global summit."

Laureus Sport for Good is committed to using sport as a tool to improve the lives of young people, creating community projects worldwide to tackle juvenile crime and violence.

Laureus research found that one Kickz project creates £7 value for every £1 invested, and the organisation is currently spreading its message through a three day conference in London.

This Summit has brought together representatives from 100 sports organisations from across the world.

Project leaders from 32 countries they work in have flown to London to join Laureus World Sports Academy members.


Moses had earlier been on a tour of the Olympic Park, led by London 2012 chairman and Laureus member Sebastian Coe, along with the likes of tennis great Boris Becker, four-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Johnson and five-time rowing Olympic champion Sir Steve Redgrave.

On Wednesday (November 2) members of the Laureus Academy and delegates to the Laureus Global Summit will visit the Lilian Bayliss Centre in Lambeth, a hub of community based sports activity.

They will see sport being used to tackle a variety of social issues, with peace building through basketball, community coaching, youth leadership through football and combating violence through boxing and martial arts all on the agenda.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
May 2011: Olympic gold medallists link up to support Willesden track project
March 2011: New Laureus report shows sport can tackle youth crime – and save taxpayers' money
January 2011: Ashes heroes cast aside rivalry to support Laureus indigenous sports initiative in Sydney
November 2010: Living sporting legends meet to fight global social problems