40TH ANNIVERSARY OF UNITED NATIONS

INTER-AGENCY GAMES CELEBRATED IN BIARRITZ

TIM CHALLEN, UNFCU

With these sporting images of welcome, it does not seem too surprising that the organizing committee from UNESCO chose the beautiful town of Biarritz, in the southwest of France, to be the host of the UNIAG 2008. From 29 May – Some nine hundred participants, representing one hundred and ten nationalities and thirty-five UN agencies, came to network and rekindle friendly sporting rivalries.

Always keen to support the efforts of UN and UN Agency staff members to champion teamwork and commitment, UNFCU was a principal sponsor of the Games for the seventh time. “We really believe in the power of sports to bring people together and these Games have tremendous significance to the UN community”, said Khalid Gherzeddine, Manager, UNFCU Geneva Representative Office, who with me attended just about every competition, cheering on the athletes.

A Basque Flavor
Celebrating its 40th anniversary, this year’s event was designed to be special. At the opening ceremony, held at the Parc des Sports d’Aguilera, got proceedings off to an appropriate start. After demonstrations of traditional Basque sports, including Aizkora Proba (wood chopping), Ontzi Eramatea (churn carrying) and Esku Pilota (Pelota Basque), the Biarritz authorities and UNESCO organizers, flanked by players of the French National Rugby team, wished the participants successful games – albeit with generous helpings of sangria, foie gras and other traditional ‘Basque’ fare.

On the Playing Field
The following day, an ambulance waiting beside the football pitches confirmed that competition was not going to be a light affair. Colliding shins and a few – let us say in diplomatic terms – interesting tackles, certainly indicated that players were eager to bring the cup back to their UN agencies. In the end, great finishing won it for UNOV/UN-ODC/VIC (women) and UNESCO (men).
Just a stone’s throw away, numerous pétanque players took on each other in a sport famous throughout the region. No medical staff was needed, as this competition was done in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. High energy drinks were substituted with French wine and only lunch was being stretched away on the barbecue, until UNESCOwrapped things up with a victory in the final over ITU.

The long distance runners must have been licking their lips as they passed the grilling area, trying to forget the probable pain in their calfmuscles. Those with the greatest appetite or the less pain could have been from UNESCO and IAEA, the first winning the women’s athletics competition and the latter agency winning the men’s running.

A few paces down the hill, darts players were busy aiming for the eye of the bull. IAEA teams are feared for their micro precision and were threatening to win the title yet again. Instead, UNIDO found a consistency that saw them put more points on the table.

At the Casino
In the Casino ‘de Biarritz’, other kinds of games were being played,where strategy, fortune and patience were keys to glory – but no roulettes or slotmachines! Sitting across different boards, chess players looked to chequemate their opponents, whilst bridge players quietly made plans amongst themselves to deal and bid.
UNOG/WHO/ITC chess team was better at protecting their kings,whilst UNESCOhad the highest ‘bridge’ score of the tournament.

Strangely enough, a swimming pool lies below the casino. There were swimmers from New York,Geneva, Vienna, Paris and Pristina competing in a number of different styles. It was IAEA that showed the greatest amount of energy by winning the women and the men’s competition.

There was also plenty of power on display at the volleyball courts. Smashes flew and saving dives were made. In the men’s tournament, after a number of appeals and counter appeals (the dreaded ‘word’), IAEA eventually came out winners. The victory of UNOV/UN-ODC/UNIDO/CTBTO in the women’s competition wasmore straight-forward, but done with the same dose of camaraderie. “The spirit of these Games is really good, there aren’t any barriers between competitors and that is what I most appreciate,” said Sylvie Castonguay of the ‘Geneva’ volleyball team.

At the end of the hall, concentration was at its peak, as UN teams battled away for the table tennis trophies. Onmany occasions, just when you thought a smash looked destined for scoring a point, an opponent would shock the expeditor with an incredible return. FAO teamed with IAEA to win the women’s trophy and partnered IFAD to win the men’s title.

Hitting the ball perfectly is nomore important than in golf. A total of thirty-six players, representing twelve teams confronted one another with the hope that their swing would be as sweet as ever. In the end, the teamfrom UNOV/UNODC/UNIDO/CTBTO went back to the clubhouse with the lowest score and demonstrated that precision is not limited to the realm of IAEA but Vienna as a whole.

Gianni Monciotti, a veteran golfer, retiree from FAO and UNFCU Rome Regional Advisor, said that this year’s games had a double meaning for him. “Firstly because with my team we arrived second in the golf tournament and thus we were awarded with a cup; secondly, because the possibility to participate every year, as a retiree, means long life and good health.”

And to close off our round of sporting activities... the basketball team from UNMIK showed that they were heads and shoulders above all other teams, quite literally. Their abilities to pass and score certainly illustrated that the United Nations has some great athletes in its ranks. Their opponents also demonstrated that there is plenty of commitment too.

Olympic Spirit
For in this Olympic year, let us remember the words of a famous French man, Pierre de Coubertin – “The important thing in life is not to triumph but to compete.” And this is where lies the true success of these Games, not in the lifting of cups – that will probably end up sitting in closets – but in bringing together people from around the world so that the may compete in a fair and jovial manner. As the United Nations gradually move towards a ‘One’ UN system, this sporting event helps to create new bonds, reinforce existing links and, in its own way, demonstrates that the UN is multi-faceted entity. Kenneth Kamenchu, Sport and Youth Expert at UNHABITAT, who traveled to France with the volleyball team from Nairobi, was excited to see “UN agencies celebrate the universal power of sport to bring people together as a force for good.”

The organizers from UNESCO must be congratulated for creating a competitive but positive spirit in the wonderful town of Biarritz. Papa Malick Gaye, Chair of UNESCO’s Organizing Committee was proud of UNESCO’s sporting achievements and feels that the main objectives of the Games were achieved “friendship and mutual understanding were at the heart of the games and transpired throughout Biarritz during this short period.”

At the Closing Gala, where all celebrated the action of the past few days, the baton was passed to IAEA, who will organize the 2009 edition. If the 40th Anniversary of these Games is any example, athletes and coaches from the UN system, as well as their families and friends will keep Pierre de Coubertin’s constructive vision of sport alive.

For a full list of results, please visit the IAG site:
www.unesco.org/iag2008/index.php?id=2675