NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS 'SPORTS AGAINST DRUGS' EXHIBIT TO OPEN AT HEADQUARTERS
Press Release
NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS 'SPORTS AGAINST DRUGS' EXHIBIT TO OPEN AT HEADQUARTERS
19960621 A photographic exhibit on the theme "Sports against Drugs" will open at Headquarters at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, 25 June, in the General Assembly lobby. The exhibit, sponsored by the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) and produced by the Department of Public Information (DPI), was recently on display at the Vienna International Centre and will travel in July to Atlanta, Georgia, to be shown at the site of the summer Olympics.The exhibit illustrates the value of sports in the prevention of drug abuse among young people. It features contrasting images of the negative impact of drugs and the positive effects of sports and includes action photographs of athletes from around the world.
Speakers at the opening ceremony will include the President of the Economic and Social Council, Jean-Marie Kacou Gervais (Côte d'Ivoire); the Executive Director of the UNDCP, Giorgio Giacomelli; the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Federico Mayor; the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Hiroshi Nakajima; and the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, United States Department of State, Jane Becker. The Assistant Secretary-General for Public Information, Samir Sanbar, will moderate.
A number of athletes will also participate in the opening. Cliff Bayer, currently ranked first for men's foil fencing, will read a "Testimonial of Athletes" against drug abuse. The nineteen-year-old Mr. Bayer is the youngest member of the 1996 United States Olympic fencing team and the youngest American foil fencing champion in history. Al Dixon, former tight end for the New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers and San Francisco 49ers, now heads a non-profit community-based organization that sponsors youth sports counselling and drug awareness programmes. British national champion figure-skater Charlene Von Saher recently made her professional debut in the "Nutcracker Ballet on Ice" tour of the United Kingdom. She will star this year in the international touring company of the Ice Capades.
At the conclusion of the opening ceremony, Mr. Giacomelli will present the participating athletes with framed certificates of appreciation.
For further information, contact Graciela Hall, tel. 963-6923.
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