Peace and Sport Image of the Year Unveiled

For the last four years, this prize has rewarded the best image of fraternity through sport or a symbolic moment showing the ability of sport to advance peace in the world and to encourage reconciliation among nations. It is awarded in partnership with SPORTELMonaco and Getty Images digital media agency.

The Peace and Sport Image of the Year Award was won by a photograph taken in the streets of Kabul (Afghanistan) during international Go Skateboarding Day on 21 June 2011.

The photo shows young skateboarders, both boys and girls, taking to the streets of the Afghan capital to celebrate the friendship and solidarity that unites children all over the world through the practice of skateboarding, regardless of race, religion, social status or gender.

Joel Bouzou, President and Founder of Peace and Sport, announced:

"This picture is particularly outstanding. It tells us better than a thousand words that sport is a universal language understood by children around the world, capable of building bridges for understanding and friendship between peoples across borders. It also highlights the power of sport, in this instance skateboarding, to acts a genuine vehicle for peace education, as well as encouraging gender equality and inter-cultural understanding in Afghanistan.”

David Tomatis, Executive Vice President of Sportel, added:

"SPORTELMonaco is proud to welcome Peace and Sport for the fourth time to announce this prestigious award. The Georges Bertellotti Golden Podium Awards recompense the best sports photos of the year. And what can be finer than gestures of fraternity arising from sport, reminding us that the greatest sporting victory is not measured in terms of medals? This photo is a breath of hope and joy to inspire us all.”

The winner of the Peace and Sport Image of the Year was chosen by a vote from the general public via Internet. Over 5,000 people voted on Peace and Sport’s website to elect the winning image. The Skateistan photo won nearly 60% of the votes. The other nominees were Surfing4Peace with a photo taken in the Gaza Strip, and the International Cricket Council which submitted a photo taken at a cricket match between India and Pakistan.

The Award will be officially presented to the NGO Skateistan during the Gala Evening of the 5th Peace and Sport International Forum, which will take place on 27 October in the presence of H.S.H. Prince Albert II and 500 international leaders from the worlds of sport and peace.