Late november, at the Vieux Bois restaurant of the Geneva Hotel Management School—just steps from the United Nations—a remarkable gathering took place. “From Santiago to Geneva – Advancing Inclusive Sport and Physical Education,” organized by UNESCO, brought together experts, athletes, and leaders committed to inclusion in sport.

Among the speakers were Bea Stadler, co-director of Swiss Inclusive Sport; Sebastian Mozer, president of Swiss Open Geneva; Raymon Blondel, president of the European Paralympic Committee; Theren Bullock, head of the FIBA Foundation; and Sabrina Bonanno of Decathlon. Paralympians such as Théo Gmür and Daniele Cassioli shared powerful stories of resilience. RTS journalist Odessa Blanc moderated the event, organized by Francesca Lualdi.

The discussions highlighted how sport can drive inclusion, accessibility, and determination. Bullock described the FIBA Foundation as basketball’s social engine, linking global initiatives with local communities through “Basketball for Good,” focusing on health, gender equality, refugee inclusion, and disability sport.

Basketball emerged as a democratic, unifying game. From street courts to international arenas, it bridges differences. Since James Naismith’s 1891 invention, the sport has grown to 650 million players and more than 3.3 billion fans. FIBA’s museum, the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball, traces this evolution. For Bullock, inclusivity is not an add-on but the sport’s core: “every player is a basketball player, regardless of ability.”

Heroes shape the game—Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Victor Wembanyama—but inclusion champions like Bea Stadler show impact in other ways. She described inclusion as a mindset: children play together naturally, focusing on strengths rather than limits. Wheelchair basketball balances abilities through a point system. Mozer noted that wheelchair tennis has gained visibility thanks to Grand Slam events, encouraging wider acceptance.

Momentum for inclusive sport in Switzerland is rising. Landmark events such as the 2029 World Winter Games and the 2027 European Championships in Geneva will spotlight inclusion on a global stage. Blondel outlined the European Paralympic Committee’s efforts to foster inclusive societies, while Bonanno emphasized Decathlon’s commitment to accessible sports products as part of its core identity.

The message was clear: inclusion in sport is intentional. It demands planning, collaboration, and long-term engagement to embed accessibility into culture and infrastructure. From grassroots actions to federations and adaptive design, the goal is universal—sport as a tool for equality, empowerment, and connection. Sport for everyone, without distinction.

Text and photo by David Glaser

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For more information on UNESCO’s International Forum on inclusive sport and physical education : unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/...

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