Sport in in Sweden The Swedish Confederation paves the way for Swedish sport What is a voluntary, popular movement? Which organizations qualify for membership of the Swedish Sports Confederation? How does the democratic process function in Swedish sport? What is SISU – Swedish Sports Educa- tion. What has made a tiny like Swe- den so successful in sport? These are just some of the questions that people ask about the Swedish Sports Confe- deration which represents much the largest voluntary organization in Sweden. This booklet is intended to provide answers to all of these questions and to give the reader a real under- standing of the Swedish sports movement. The Swedish Sports Confederation paves the way for Swedish sport and SISU - Swedish Sports Education is the organization that is charged with developing it. Further information is available at: www.rf.se.

Basic statistics of Swedish sport s MILLIONINHABITANTSIN3WEDEN s!LMOSTHALFn MILLIONAGE  nAREMEMBERSOF SPORTSCLUBS s MILLIONCOMPETEREGULARLY sELITEATHLETESIN3WEDEN Contents 3WEDENASPORTINGNATION  4HEIDEAOF3WEDISHSPORT  !DEMOCRATICMOVEMENT  4HELEADINGLEADERSHIPSCHOOL  $IVERSITYASAUNIFYINGFORCE  #OORDINATINGANDPROMOTING3WEDISHSPORT  )NTERNATIONALCOLLABORATION  &INANCIALANDOTHERRESOURCES  &ACTSABOUT3WEDEN 

STOCKHOLM FEBRUARY 2012 2 3 and Rome. Most live in the southern Sweden – and central parts of the country. Unique public access to a sporting the countryside The Swedish countryside is open to everybody nation under the ”Right of Common Access”, a unique Swedish right which allows everyone to move IUHHO\LQIRUHVWDQG¿HOG,WJXDUDQWHHVWKHULJKW Sweden is part of the Scandinavian peninsular to swim in and boat on lakes, rivers and other DQGLQDUHDWKH¿IWKODUJHVWFRXQWU\LQ(XURSH open water. In terms of population it ranks as one of the Swedes spend a lot of time in the outdoors, smallest European . making constant use of the countryside for Close to 9 million people are spread over sports such as , sailing, canoeing 450 000 km – a population of about 20 people and . Being so used to outdoor activities per square kilometre. means that the Swedes have a built-in apprecia- The northernmost part of Sweden is situated tion of and respect for nature and the environ- above the polar circle while the most southerly ment. part lies in the temperate continental clima- tic zone. There can be snow and ideal skiing Swedes on the move conditions in the north while people are sailing In relation to its geography and population, in the south. The distance between the northern Sweden is one of the world’s most sporting and southern extremes of Sweden is 1 500 km, nations. Almost half of Sweden’s seven million the same distance that separates inhabitants between the ages of 7 and 70 are

4 members of a sports club – as active competi- movement in Sweden. The development of WRUVNHHS¿WWHUVOHDGHUVWUDLQHUVRUVXSSRUWHUV Swedish sport is the result of the initiatives of Some two million of these are active in sports. innumerable people. The clubs were created by /HVVWKDQRQHSHUFHQWRIWKLV¿JXUHFDQEHVDLG people who needed to collaborate and organize Characteristics of a to belong to the elite; that is, they compete at themselves in order to practise their chosen popular movement national championship level. sport. Thus was developed at s/PENTOALL Sport has an even more dominant position grass-roots level by the participants themselves. s)NDEPENDENT among youngsters. More than two out of every This is fundamental to what we in Sweden term s.ON PROlTANDVOLUNTARY three boys and every other girl between the a popular movement. s$EMOCRATIC ages of 7 and 15 belong to a sports club. The s"ASEDONVOLUNTARY SUR¿OHRI6ZHGLVKVSRUWVLV\RXWKVSRUWVDQG The Swedish sporting miracle LEADERSHIPANDWORK sport-for-all. There are some 20 000 sports The minute country of Sweden has contribu- s$YNAMIC clubs in and throughout Sweden. ted innumerable stars to world sport. Ingemar s!CO OPERATINGFORCE 12 000 of these organize sports för children and Johansson, Gert Fredriksson, Nils Liedholm, INDEVELOPINGSOCIETY young people. Björn Borg, , Anders Gärde- s3UPPORTFROM Voluntary societies play a major role in Swe- rud, , and Jan-Ove GOVERNMENTANDSOCIETY dish life. Nowhere else in the world is the ratio Waldner have for ever carved their names into of societies and clubs to the population so high. the Swedish soul. In recent years stars such The right to participate in clubs and socie- as , Annika Sörenstam, Kajsa ties is guaranteed by the Swedish constitution. Bergqvist, , Anja Pärson, Niklas This gives everyone the right to found a club Lidström, and Zlatan Ibrahimo- or society with a particular aim without outside YLFKDYHNHSWWKH6ZHGLVKFRORXUVÀ\LQJKLJK interference. in international arenas. Clubs are the foundation of the sports

5 Persons aged 16-84 Internal factors: who are members Sports club ‡/HQJWK\WUDGLWLRQ and/or in positions ‡2UJDQL]HGDVDSRSXODUPRYHPHQWZLWK of responsibility Cultural society sport’s greatest resources, the extensive volun- Outdoor life club tary contributions, and having elite sports and Political party sport-for-all under the same umbrella. Parents association ‡2SSRUWXQLWLHVIRUFRPELQLQJVSRUWDQG education, mainly through the national sports Environmental organization secondary schools. Religious body ‡/RQJWHUPSROLFLHVDQGPDMRUVSRUWVSURJUDP- 0 0,5 1,0 1,5 2,0 2,5 milj mes for children and young people. ‡6HULRXVLQYHVWPHQWLQOHDGHUVKLSWUDLQLQJDQG Members Number of positions of responsibility own adult-education organization SISU - Swe- Source: Statistics Sweden 2010 dish Sports Education. ‡([WHQVLYHVSRUWVUHVHDUFKSULQFLSDOO\SK\VLR- logy. How can it be that a very small country like Sweden, with a population of only nine mil- In Sweden we have a united sports movement lion, is such an important sporting nation? This that works towards the same vision based on is a question that many people ask, not least in WKHVDPHYDOXHV VHHSDJH 7KLVYLVLRQLV other countries. Proof of this claim can be seen shared by all the associations and clubs in both in the fact that Sweden occupies seventh place sport-for-all and elite sports. We are equally in the Olympic medal table. Added to this are concerned to promote sport-for-all and elite numerous successes in “Swedish” sports that sports in that both aspects of sport stimulate are not represented at the Olympics or that have each other and help to develop the sports mo- only recently been included: , oriente- vement. HULQJJROIÀRRUEDOODQGWDEOHWHQQLV7KHUHDUH Our sporting stars are important as entertai- a number of explanations: ners, but even more so for the way in which they inspire young and old alike. Each week External factors: some child is curious about trying their hand ‡:HOIDUH DORQJSHULRGZLWKRXWZDUVQRQDWX- at what the stars have shown them, whether ral catastrophes, raw materials, energy sources, it is Zlatan scoring a goal or well-developed educational system and good winning in cross-country skiing. Our great in- infrastructure). ternational successes lead to thousands of new ‡/RQJWUDGLWLRQRIFROODERUDWLRQEHWZHHQORFDO people taking up sports authorities and sport. ‡6SRUWHQMR\VDVWURQJUHSXWDWLRQZLWKSROLWL- The social value of elite sports cians and receives generous grants and invest- The great social value of elite sport is seldom ment capital for sports facilities. taken into account. Our sporting stars inspire coming generations to take up sports and stimu- ODWHDGXOWVWRMRLQLQ¿WQHVVDFWLYLWLHV7KH\DOVR provide us with entertainment and excitement in our daily lives. Every culture in every age has its heroes. Our Spectators aged own heroes are star athletes. There is real social 7-70 years Football value in our leaving the comfort of our homes Ice and going to watch a match or competitive Automobile sports sports. On the terraces we become part of the event and can feel like experts. We rejoice with Track and field thousands of other people. When things are Equestrian going badly we can complain in unison. Then we discuss the match or competition during Skiing coffee breaks or among our friends. A match Cross-country skiing Motorcycle sports or competition is never a foregone conclusion. Swimming The uncertainty generates excitement and drama. Life on the terraces with other suppor- Tennis ters is unconstrained and often results in social Dance networks that mean a lot to individuals. 0 500 000 1 000 000 1 500 000 2 000 000

Source: Statistics Sweden 2010

6 Gunnar Nordahl Gert Fredriksson

Ingemar Johansson Sven Tumba

Ulrika Knape Anders Gärderud

Tomas Gustafson Björn Borg

Ingemar Stenmark Gunde Svan Agneta Andersson

7 Pernilla Wiberg Jan-Ove Waldner

Peter Forsberg Henrik Larsson Niklas Lidström

Carolina Klüft Annika Sörenstam

Stefan Holm Anja Pärson Charlotte Kalla

Therese Alshammar Zlatan Ibrahimovic Anette Norberg

8 considered to be up to the age of twelve. Youth The idea sports are normally up to the age of twenty. Adult sports are for those over twenty. In children’s sport we play and let children of Swedish learn different sports. The child’s all-round sporting development is the norm for children’s sport sport. Competition is an aspect of the game and must always be conducted on the children’s own terms. The Swedish sports movement adheres to the In youth and adult sports we distinguish UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, between competitive, performance sports and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child VSRUWVIRUDOORU¿WQHVVVSRUWV and the Convention on the Rights of Persons The idea of sport: We want to organize sport with Disabilities. at all levels so that it develops people positi- “Sport wills - aims and guidelines for the vely both physically and mentally, socially and sports movement” is the name of the policy culturally. programme for Swedish sport. It represents a common system of values for the entire sports Sport is to be organized so that it promotes: movement and provides guidelines for the ‡'HPRFUDF\ organization of sports activities in ‡'HYHORSPHQW and clubs. ‡*HQGHUHTXDOLW\ Sport is physical activity that we undertake ‡8QLYHUVDOULJKWWRSDUWLFLSDWH with a view to performing better, having fun or ‡5HVSHFWIRURWKHUV feeling good. ‡9ROXQWDU\FRPPLWPHQW Sport consists of training and fun, competi- ‡)DLUSOD\ tion and display. ‡*RRGKHDOWK We categorize sport according to age and ‡6RXQG¿QDQFHV level of ambition. Children’s sport is normally ‡(QYLURQPHQWDODZDUHQHVV

9 Vision and values of the important in motivating and developing sport. sports movement The 2009 General Assembly of the Swe- We are a united sports movement working dish Sports Confederation adopted the vision towards the same vision based on the same Swedish sport – world best, stipulating that the values, namely “Swedish sport – world best”; value system should primarily accord with: a vision that is rooted in all our associations ‡6SRUWLVMR\ and clubs, both those involved in sport-for-all ‡(YHU\RQH¶VULJKWWRSDUWLFLSDWH and elite clubs. We value sport-for-all clubs ‡)DLUSOD\ and elite clubs equally since they are equally ‡'HPRFUDF\DQGSDUWLFLSDWLRQ

10 Organization

The Swedish Sports Confederation

69 Special Sports Federations 21 Federations

1 000 Special Sports 20 000 District Federations Clubs

3,4 million members

A democratic movement

The Swedish sports movement is part of our Democratic structure cultural heritage and an important aspect of our A club is “owned” by its members; it is the national identity. Thanks to the sports move- members who determine, at the club’s annual ment, millions of Swedish citizens have learnt general meeting, what the club is to do and how democratic procedures, respect for rules and LWLVWRDOORWLWV¿QDQFLDOUHVRXUFHV$WWKHVDPH fair play, have developed their leadership skills meeting there are reports from the executive and improved their knowledge of dietary issues, about the previous year’s activities and about physical exercise, health and wellbeing. how the executive has discharged its duties. Sport is organized differently in different The annual general meeting concludes with the parts of the world. Our organizational tradition members deciding who is to be entrusted with is generally known as the “Scandinavian” or the club until the next annual meeting. “Nordic” model. This means that sport is orga- The basic principle is that each member has one nized as an independent voluntary movement. vote. A long experience of collaboration with central ,QQXPHUDEOH6ZHGHVKDYH¿UVWEHFRPH government and local authorities has led to the acquainted with the formalities of democratic sports movement being entrusted with the task government when someone has demanded that of organizing sport in Sweden with the help of a vote be taken at an annual general meeting of ¿QDQFLDOVXSSRUWIURPWKHVWDWHDQGIURPORFDO their club. As a member of a voluntary, non- authorities. SUR¿WRUJDQL]DWLRQRQHVRRQEHFRPHVLQYROYHG Local clubs are the foundation of all orga- in the democratic process. And the Swedish nized sport. And so it is the primary task of sup- Sports Confederation only admits democratic port organizations in the sports movement to DQGQRQSUR¿WDVVRFLDWLRQVWRPHPEHUVKLS create the essential conditions for a successful 9ROXQWDU\QRQSUR¿WDVVRFLDWLRQVDUHJRYHU club. Matters to be dealt with include grants, ned by their statutes which require democratic tax regulations, sports grounds and facilities, forms such as annual general meetings, execu- development of club democracy and leadership tive committees, nominating committees, rules training. The executive committee is, apart governing motions (proposals from members) from the General Assembly, the most important and so on. At a time when many other volun- organ of the local sports club. tary organizations are declining in membership, the role of the sports movement in fostering democratic ideals is all the more important.

11 Number of women The path to gender equality and men in 160 Approximately 40 per cent of people active in SF’s executive Men sports in Sweden are women. Although much committees 140 Women has been done to promote equality between the 120 sexes, women constitute only 30 per cent of the

100 executives of special sports federations. In 1995 the General Assembly of the Swe- 80 dish Sports Confederation decided that all 60 organs of the Swedish Sports Confederation and district federations shall consist of equal 40 numbers of women and men. In 2005 Ka- 20 ULQ0DWWVVRQ:HLMEHUZDVHOHFWHGDVWKH¿UVW

0 female President of the Swedish Sports Confe- Younger than 30 30 - 45 years 46 - 60 years Over 60 years deration. Source: Statistics Sweden 2010

12 The leading leadership school

The Swedish sports model is entirely dependent SISU – Swedish Sports Education. Studies on the voluntary support of local leaders as well promoted by the Swedish Sports Confederation DVRQSXEOLF¿QDQFLDOVXSSRUWHVSHFLDOO\IURP indicate that what people learn in leadership ORFDOJRYHUQPHQWDQGWKHZLGHO\VSUHDGFOXE training courses is highly valued both by sports system. leaders and employers. No other Swedish orga- It is estimated that about 640 000 Swedes nization has such a comprehensive leadership- have one or more positions as leaders in the training programme as the sports movement. 6ZHGLVKVSRUWVPRYHPHQW0RVWRIWKHPIXO¿O WKHLUGXWLHVZLWKRXWDQ\¿QDQFLDOFRPSHQVDWLRQ Why do people They are to be found on executive committees Personal development want to be or DWYDULRXVOHYHOVDVWUDLQHUV\RXWKOHDGHUV become sports RI¿FLDOVWHDPOHDGHUVHWF7RJHWKHUWKH\FUHDWH Future advantages leaders? the essential conditions that enable the Swedish Leadership training sports model to function. In their work they Support from the organization RIWHQGHULYHOLIHORQJEHQH¿WIURPGHYHORSLQJ Source: Sifo their leadership skills. Appreciated by others (YHU\\HDUKXQGUHGVRIWKRXVDQGVRIOHDGHUV Financial return in sport attend courses with the intention of Gives status becoming better leaders and developing their clubs. Most of the courses are run by the sports Own friends are leaders movement’s own adult education organization 0 20 40 60 80 100%

13 Diversity as a unifying force

There is remarkable diversity in the Swedish of individual skills determine the result. There sporting family. There are clubs that unite those is room for those who want to become stronger, lone wolves who, in rain and sleet, cover mile improve their stamina, and develop their co- after mile of lonely roads, testing their own ab- ordination, technique or tactics. But sports solute limits. There are clubs that pay homage also form an important arena for social con- to team sports and collective ideas in which tacts in which old and young, able-bodied and collaboration between individuals and the sum disabled, men and women, native Swedes and LPPLJUDQWVFDUHIUHHNHHS¿WWHUVDQGDOPRVW The ten leading fanatically serious elite sportsmen and women competitive sports Football can meet. It does not matter where you live or Number of active what the climate is like. The Swedish sports participants (7-70) Golf movement offers something for everyone who Floorball wants to be a part of it, irrespective of where Track and field one lives. Sport shooting The Swedish Sports Confederation consists of 69 special sports federations. They can be Equestrian VSHFL¿FWRDVLQJOHVSRUWLQJDFWLYLW\VXFKDV Handball WKRVHJRYHUQLQJIRRWEDOO VRFFHU RUURZLQJRU Martial arts so-called multisport federations covering a lar- 0 100 000 200 000 300 000 400 000 500 000 600 000 700 000 ge number of different sports, for example the (Thousands) Source: Swedish Sports Confederation Swedish Sports Organization for the Disabled.

14 Sport promotes integration Members of The Swedish Sports Confederation Some 20 per cent of Swedes today are of Founded Entrance in foreign origin. the SCC Finding one’s feet in a new country with a 3WEDISH!IRSPORT&EDERATION   different language and culture is no easy task 3WEDISH!MERICAN&OOTBALL&EDERATION   whether for an adult or a child. But the langu- 3WEDISH!RCHERY!SSOCIATION   3WEDISH!THLETIC!SSOCIATION   age of sport is universal: a ball bounces equally 3WEDISH!UTOMOBILE3PORTS&EDERATION   well in Swedish as in Serbian and one can jump 3WEDISH"ADMINTON!SSOCIATION   just as far in Swahili as in Swedish. 3WEDISH"ANDY&EDERATION   A study by the Swedish Sports Confedera- 3WEDISH"ASEBALLAND3OFTBALL&EDERATION   tion in 2010 found that sport is by far the most 3WEDISH"ASKETBALL&EDERATION   3WEDISH"IATHLON&EDERATION   popular leisure activity for youngsters of both 3WEDISH"ILLIARD&EDERATION   Swedish and foreign backgrounds. The study 3WEDISH"OBAND,UGE!SSOCIATION   also found that boys of foreign origin rate sport 3WEDISH"OULE&EDERATION   even more highly than their Swedish counter- 3WEDISH"OWLING&EDERATION   parts. Sport is also considered important by 3WEDISH"OXING&EDERATION   girls of foreign origin, but the sports movement 3WEDISH"UDO-ARTIAL!RTS&EDERATION   3WEDISH#ANOE&EDERATION   needs to do even more to attract participation 3WEDISH#ASTING&EDERATION   from these girls. 3WEDISH#LIMBING&EDERATION   Sport builds bridges over ethnic divides and, 3WEDISH#URLING!SSOCIATION   given its wide-ranging activities, it is the most 3WEDISH#YCLING&EDERATION   important social arena for integration. The is- 3WEDISH$ANCESPORT&EDERATION   3WEDISH$ART&EDERATION   sue is important to the sports movement; but it 3WEDISH$EAF3PORTS&EDERATION   is even more important to the future of Sweden. 3WEDISH3PORTS/RGANIZATIONFORTHE$ISABLED   3WEDISH%QUESTRIAN&EDERATION   3WEDISH&ENCING&EDERATION   Requirements for membership of 3WEDISH&IGURE3KATING!SSOCIATION   3WEDISH&LOORBALL&EDERATION   Sweden’s sports family 3WEDISH&OOTBALL!SSOCIATION   Election to membership of the Swedish Sports 3WEDISH&RISBEESPORT&EDERATION   Confederation requires nomination and appro- 3WEDISH'OLF&EDERATION   val by the General Assembly of the Swedish 3WEDISH'YMNASTICS&EDERATION   Sports Confederation. Certain formal require- 3WEDISH(ANDBALL&EDERATION   3WEDISH(OCKEY!SSOCIATION   ments must be met. The association must be/ 3WEDISH)CE(OCKEY!SSOCIATION   have: 3WEDISH)CE3AILING&EDERATION   ‡$YROXQWDU\VRFLHW\ 3WEDISH*UDO&EDERATION   ‡2UJDQL]HVSRUWWKDWLVLQKDUPRQ\ZLWKJRDOV 3WEDISH+ARATE&EDERATION   and ideology of the voluntary sports movement 3WEDISH-INIGOLF&EDERATION   3WEDISH-OTORCYCLEAND3NOWMOBILE&EDERATION   ‡2UJDQL]HDVSRUWWKDWLVQRWUHODWHGWRDQ\ 3WEDISH-ULTISPORTS&EDERATION   other sport within the Swedish Sports Confe- 3WEDISH/RIENTEERING&EDERATION   deration 3WEDISH0OWERBOAT!SSOCIATION   ‡$PLQLPXPRIPHPEHUFOXEVDQG 3WEDISH0OWERLIFTING&EDERATION   members 3WEDISH2OWING&EDERATION   3WEDISH2UGBY5NION   3WEDISH3AILING!SSOCIATION   +DOIRIWKHVSHFLDOVSRUWVIHGHUDWLRQV RXW 3WEDISH3CHOOL3PORTS!SSOCIATION   of 69) not only belong to the Swedish Sports 3WEDISH3HOOTING3PORT&EDERATION   Confederation; if their sport is featured at the 3WEDISH3KATING!SSOCIATION   they are also members of the 3WEDISH3KI!SSOCIATION   Swedish Olympic Committee which admi- 3WEDISH3LED$OG&EDERATION   3WEDISH3PORTSFOR!LL!SSOCIATION   nisters Swedish participation at the Olympic 3WEDISH3PORTSDIVING&EDERATION   *DPHVIRUZKLFKLWUHFHLYHV¿QDQFLDOVXS- 3WEDISH3QUASH&EDERATION   port via the Swedish Sports Confederation’s 3WEDISH3WIMMING&EDERATION   JRYHUQPHQWJUDQW7KH¿QDQFLDOYLDELOLW\RIWKH 3WEDISH4ABLE4ENNIS!SSOCIATION   Swedish Olympic Committee is further enhan- 3WEDISH4AEKWONDO&EDERATION   3WEDISH4ENNIS!SSOCIATION   ced by commercial sponsorship in view of the 3WEDISH4RIATHLON&EDERATION   marketing value of the games. 3WEDISH4UGOF7AR&EDERATION   Read more about the Swedish Olympic 3WEDISH5NIVERSITY3PORTS&EDERATION   Committee on page 18. 3WEDISH7ALKING!SSOCIATION   3WEDISH6ARPA&EDERATION   3WEDISH7ATER3KIAND7AKEBOARD&EDERATION   3WEDISH7EIGHTLIFTING&EDERATION   3WEDISH6OLLEYBALL!SSOCIATION  

15 Co-ordinating and promoting Swedish sport

The national organization dealt with by the sport’s own . But of Swedish sport each member association is also responsible for The Swedish Sports Confederation is an the entire organization. umbrella organization consisting of 69 special Legally, the Swedish Sports Confederation is sports federations and 21 district sports federa- a society that is regulated by the agreed tions. by its members. This form of an assembly of Many people believe that the Swedish Sports independent organizations is often termed a Confederation controls its member associations. federation. In fact, the role of the Swedish Sports Confede- The main task for the Swedish Sports Confe- ration is the reverse. It is to execute the policy deration is to work as effectively as possible for agreed by the member associations at the Gene- the member federations so that these can devote ral Assembly. The fundamental principle is that the maximum time to sport itself. There are for each special sports federation is responsible for example many tasks of a more general charac- its own sport and any problems in that sport are ter that are either too complex or too time-

16 consuming for the special sports federations The General Assembly sets to deal with themselves. The Swedish Sports the course The Confederation’s role Confederation relieves the sports movement of The special sports federations are represented can be summarized as: unnecessary administrative tasks and negotiates by 200 delegates at the General Assembly s3UPPORTING s2EPRESENTING advantageous contracts, thus giving sport more which is the sports movement’s supreme s,EADING money for its activities. decision-making body. The Swedish Sports Confederation is also Besides electing members to the Executive active in areas in which individual federations Committee, the assembly determines the direc- cannot allocate resources, principally in matters tion of sport for the ensuing two years. Dele- RI,7VHUYLFHV¿QDQFHUHVHDUFKOHJDOPDWWHUV gates consider various motions and also decide and overriding collaboration. whether to allow new sports to join the family. One of the most important tasks is to repre- $¿QDQFLDODXGLWLQJFRPPLWWHHLVHOHFWHGDV sent the whole Swedish sports movement in well as members of the Doping Commission, contacts with the authorities, politicians etc. the Supreme Sports Tribunal and an Electoral High priority is given to employing the full Committee to propose candidates for the next force of a united popular movement vis-à-vis General Assembly. politicians. . The Executive Committee governs Strategic leadership The Executive Committee of the Swedish The Swedish Sports Confederation is a power- Sports Confederation, which governs opera- ful organ of opinion in the service of Swedish tions between general assemblies, consists of sport, continually clarifying the responsibility twelve members including the President. In that sport assumes and the positive values that 2005 Karin Mattsson Weijber was elected as the popular movement represents. The Swedish WKH¿UVWIHPDOH3UHVLGHQWRIWKH6ZHGLVK6SRUWV Sports Confederation is a regular consultative Confederation. partner of the government as well as colla- borating with government departments and Two organizational principles ministries. Throughout the country, clubs are organized One of the Swedish Sports Confederation’s according to two principles: one geographical overriding tasks is that of providing strategic and one linked to the sport. The geographical leadership for Swedish sport pertaining to organization takes the form of district sports PDWWHUVRI¿QDQFHRUJDQL]DWLRQDQGFRPPXQL- federations while particular sports are organi- cations. The Swedish Sports Confederation also zed in special sports district federations and initiates and supports interdisciplinary research special sports federations. At the national level in medicine, physiology, sociology, technology the unifying organization is the Swedish Sports and the behavioural sciences. Confederation. It is the Swedish Sports Confederation that defends the legitimacy of sport and reports on the current state of sport, illuminating its extent and importance.

17 District sports federations bunal. The tribunal deals with appeals against Swedish sport is divided into 21 district sports legal decisions handed down by the special federations. Within their respective areas these sports federations. federations work with much the same matters as the Swedish Sports Confederation. The Swedish Olympic Committee The supreme authority of Swedish sports in all Special sports district federations Olympic matters is the Within their the special sports district Swedish Olympic Com- federations co-ordinate all the activities of a mittee, SOC. It comprises particular sport, especially competitions and 35 national Olympic talent development for youth sports and lower sports federations as well divisions. as 12 federations of sports recognized by the Inter- The Swedish Supreme national Olympic Com- Sports Tribunal mittee. The sports movement has its own ”supreme The Executive Board is elected for terms court” called the Swedish Supreme Sports Tri- of four years and consists of eleven members

18 including the IOC members in Sweden. the study-circle, wich is based on the concept The SOC is dedicated to the support of of a syllabus being followed by a group of Olympic sports in Sweden. The main responsi- club members who share their knowledge and bility for developing individual sports rest with experience. It is led not by a teacher but by one the appropriate Special Sports Federations but of the participants. the SOC aims to strengthen the work of these SISU Sports Education is also an internal federations. consultant for member federations and clubs in The principle tasks of the SOC are: VXFK¿HOGVDVRUJDQL]DWLRQDOGHYHORSPHQWDQG 1. Organizing Swedish participation in the process management. Olympic Games Since 1992 SISU Sports Education Sport 2. Preparing athletes to take part in Olympic Books has been a publisher in the physical competition DFWLYLW\¿HOGZLWKDSURGXFWLRQRIDURXQG 3. Selecting athletes for the games titles. SISU Sports Education Sport Books also 4. Developing elite sports runs a book club with approximately 15 000 5. Maintaining international contacts members. 6. Marketing and sponsorship SISU Sports Education is also responsible for the Bosön Education Centre. SISU Swedish Sports Education Swedish sport has its own education organiza- Bosön – the heart of Swedish sports tion. Its main aim is to cater for the needs of training and education clubs and special sports federations in training Bosön – Swedish National Sports Centre – is OHDGHUVFRDFKHVWUDLQHUVLQVWUXFWRUVRI¿FLDOV the meeting place for sport leaders, athletes, and referees. One often used methodology is national teams and clubs.

19 Support for national teams helps to make these more competitive and to prepare athletes IRUWKH¿QDOSXVKWRZDUGVZRUOGFODVVSHUIRU- mance. The focused support goes to individual athletes and teams that are aiming for the hig- hest levels of sport with championship medals in sight. The general support brings with it access to resource people, skills development, and so on.

Anti-doping programme Doping is unacceptable; a form of cheating that damages the soul and credibility of sport as well as threatening the lives and health of athletes. By developing an active anti-doping pro- gramme at all levels of sport the Swedish Sports Confederation intends to ensure that all athletes enjoy the right to participate and compete in sport free from doping.

The complex, which is owned by the Swe- dish Sports Confederation, is beautifully situa- ted on the waterfront north of and comprises three areas: Bosön Top Sport Centre: The Complex at Bosön is home to the Swedish sports movement’s institute for elite support. Bosön Education Centre offers those in- terested in sport unique opportunities for combining sport with studies. It also provides programmes for trainers, coaches, referees and other leaders. Bosön Conference Centre arranges all kinds of gatherings and events.

Sport and education for young people There are upper secondary schools making it possible to combine education and elite sports. These pupils follow a standard curriculum but have opportunities for training during the day.

A united programme for elite sports Swedish sport is developing vigorously. Starting in the autumn of 2009, all support for elite sports is channelled through the Swedish Sports Confederation. There are three aspects to the elite programme: ‡6XSSRUWIRUQDWLRQDOWHDPV ‡)RFXVHGVXSSRUW ‡*HQHUDOVXSSRUW H[SHUWDGYLVHUVLQDUHDVVXFK as training, sports psychology, nutrition and medicine).

20 The anti-doping programme within the Swe- Lift for Sport dish sports movement is led and co-ordinated The Swedish Sports Confederation has a spe- by the Swedish Sports Confederation and its cial programme, “Lift for Sport” [Idrottslyftet], Doping Commission. The most important tools which is intended to get children to try out of the programme are doping tests together with sports activities as well as encouraging older information and education. The tests not only youngsters to continue with sports by reveal doping where it occurs but they also give ‡'HYHORSLQJWKHIHGHUDWLRQVDQGFOXEV athletes the welcome opportunity to show that ‡,PSURYLQJDFFHVVWRVSRUWVIDFLOLWLHVDQG they are ”clean”. sporting environments Anti-doping operations have become in- ‡5HFUXLWLQJDQGGHYHORSLQJOHDGHUV creasingly internationalized in recent times. ‡&ROODERUDWLQJZLWKWKHVFKRROV With the foundation of the World Anti-Doping “Lift for sport” has been promoted by more $JHQF\ :$'$ UHSUHVHQWDWLYHVRIJRYHUQ than 10 000 clubs and attracted more than ments from all continents are now working side 800 000 participants with equal numbers of by side with sport with a view to harmonizing women and men. and making more effective the struggle against doping. Sweden is actively engaged in this development and has played a prominent role in promoting doping-free sport.

21 International collaboration

International exchange is important to Swedish Confederation supports the special sports sport. The Swedish Sports Confederation works federations in their international activities. intensively with advancing Sweden’s position Around 300 Swedish sports leaders have DWDOOOHYHOVLQRUGHUWRLQFUHDVHWKHLQÀXHQFH more than 450 positions on executives or com- and spread understanding of the ”Nordic mo- mittees of different international sports organi- del” with sport organized as a popular volun- zations. tary movement. For this the Swedish Sports The following policy on international rela-

22 tions was adopted by the General Assembly ‡&RPPXQLFDWHWKHGHPRFUDWLFLGHDOVRIWKH 1991: 6ZHGLVKVSRUWVPRYHPHQW ‡,QWHUQDWLRQDOVSRUWLQJH[FKDQJHVVKDOOIRO- ‡,QÀXHQFHWKHZD\LQZKLFKLQWHUQDWLRQDO ORZWKHJRDOVDQGGLUHFWLRQRIVSRUWHPSKDVL- FRPSHWLWLRQVDUHRUJDQL]HGWRHQVXUHWKDW6ZH- ]LQJ´6SRUWVKDOODFWDVDQLQWHUQDWLRQDOPHDQV GLVKDWKOHWHVFRPSHWHRQWKHVDPHFRQGLWLRQVDV RIFRQWDFWDQGVKDOOVKRZUHVSHFWIRUKXPDQ UHSUHVHQWDWLYHVRIRWKHUFRXQWULHV HTXDOLW\´7KH6ZHGLVKVSRUWVPRYHPHQWVKDOO ‡6WULYHIRUPRUHLQWHUQDWLRQDOHYHQWV LQFOX- KDYHH[FKDQJHVZLWKRWKHUFRXQWULHVLUUHVSHF- GLQJFRPSHWLWLRQVDQGFRQIHUHQFHV WREHKHOG WLYHRIWKHLUSROLWLFDOV\VWHPVDQGRIZKHWKHU LQ6ZHGHQ 6ZHGHQPDLQWDLQVQRUPDOGLSORPDWLFUHODWLRQV ‡&RQWULEXWHWRLQFUHDVHGLQWHUQDWLRQDOH[- ZLWKWKHPRUQRW FKDQJHVWKDWVWLPXODWHWKHSRVLWLYHGHYHORSPHQW ‡7KH6ZHGLVK6SRUWV&RQIHGHUDWLRQ RI6ZHGLVKVSRUW VKDOOHQFRXUDJHWKHGHYHORSPHQWRIVSRUWLQ RWKHUFRXQWULHVDQGWDNHLWVUHVSRQVLELOLW\IRU HYHU\RQH¶VULJKWWRVSRUW 6WDWLVWLFDOO\6ZHGHQLVRQHRIWKHZRUOG¶V OHDGLQJRUJDQL]HUVRILQWHUQDWLRQDOFKDPSL- RQVKLSV'XULQJWKHODVWGHFDGH6ZHGHQKDV IRUH[DPSOHKRVWHGWKH(XURSHDQ%DVNHWEDOO &KDPSLRQVKLSV  WKH(XURSHDQ7UDFNDQG )LHOG&KDPSLRQVKLSV  $OSLQH:RUOG6NL &KDPSLRQVKLSV  :RUOG)LJXUH6NDWLQJ &KDPSLRQVKLSV  WKH(XURSHDQ8 )RRWEDOO&KDPSLRQVKLSVDQGWKH:RUOG &XSLQKDQGEDOO 7KHUHDUHWZRRUJDQL]DWLRQVZLWKLQWHUQDWLR- QDOUHVSRQVLELOLWLHVLQ6ZHGHQ7KH6ZHGLVK Swedish sport and the 6SRUWV&RQIHGHUDWLRQLVWKHJRYHUQLQJERG\ European Union DQGWKHVXSUHPHGHFLVLRQPDNLQJRUJDQL]DWLRQ 6LQFH6ZHGHQEHFDPHDPHPEHURIWKH(X- FRQFHUQLQJDOOLQWHUQDWLRQDOUHODWLRQVH[FHSW URSHDQ8QLRQ (8 WKHUDQJHRITXHVWLRQV 2O\PSLFSROLF\DWDQLQWHUQDWLRQDOOHYHODQGWKH SHUWDLQLQJWRVSRUWWKDWKDYHFRQQHFWLRQVZLWK 6ZHGLVKSDUWLFLSDWLRQLQWKH2O\PSLF*DPHV WKH(XURSHDQ8QLRQKDVJURZQUDSLGO\ ZKLFKLVKDQGOHGE\WKH6ZHGLVK2O\PSLF 7KH(8WDVNVDUHGLYLGHGLQWRWZRSULQFLSDO &RPPLWWHH operational areas: )RUREYLRXVUHDVRQV(XURSHDQFROODERUDWLRQ (8DVDQDUHQDIRUVSRUWVSROLF\LQFOXGHV LVRIFHQWUDOLQWHUHVWWR6ZHGLVKVSRUWLQDQHZ ZRUNRQGHYHORSLQJDVWUDWHJ\IRU6ZHGLVK (XURSHZLWKRSHQIURQWLHUVDQGQHZODZVDQG VSRUWZLWKLQWKH(8 UHJXODWLRQVFRQGLWLRQVIRUVSRUWDUHDIIHFWHGLQ (8DVDGHYHORSPHQWUHVRXUFHLVPDLQO\ PDQ\DUHDV DLPHGDWPDNLQJWKH(8YLVLEOHDQGKRZLW 7KH6ZHGLVK6SRUWV&RQIHGHUDWLRQSDUWL- FDQEHDGHYHORSPHQWUHVRXUFHIRUDOOZKRDUH FLSDWHVIRUH[DPSOHLQWKH(XURSHDQ1RQ LQYROYHGLQVSRUW7KHLGHDLVWRLQFUHDVHWKH *RYHUQPHQWDO6SRUWV2UJDQL]DWLRQ (1*62  6ZHGLVKVSRUWVPRYHPHQW¶VFRPPLWPHQWWRDQG (XURSHDQ6SRUWV&RQIHUHQFH (6& DQG(8 XQGHUVWDQGLQJRI(8¶VVWUXFWXUDOIXQGVVRWKDW FRQIHUHQFHVDQGPHHWLQJVRQVSRUWVPDWWHUV PRUHSHRSOHFDQPDNHXVHRIWKHP 7KHVSRUWVPRYHPHQWLQ6ZHGHQKDVDFRP- PLWPHQWWRLQWHUQDWLRQDOVSRUWVGHYHORSPHQW Seeking international influence FRRSHUDWLRQ ,QWKHQHZ(8&RQVWLWXWLRQVSRUWLVDFRQFHUQ 7KH6ZHGLVK2O\PSLF&RPPLWWHHLVHQJDJHG IRUWKH(8IRUWKH¿UVWWLPH7KH6ZHGLVK LQ (2& $12&DQGYDULRXVFRPPLVVLRQV 6SRUWV&RQIHGHUDWLRQVXSSRUWVWKHGHVFULSWLRQ DQGKDVWZR,2&PHPEHUV,WKDVELODWHUDOFR DIIRUGHGWRVSRUWLQWKHQHZFRQVWLWXWLRQDQGLV RSHUDWLRQZLWKRWKHUQDWLRQDO2O\PSLF&RPPLW- SRVLWLYHWRWKHIDFWWKDWVSRUWZLOOQRZKDYHD WHHV OHJDOIXQGDPHQWZLWKLQWKH(87KH6ZHGLVK 7KH6ZHGLVKPRGHOIRUVSRUWVKDOOEHDXVHIXO 6SRUWV&RQIHGHUDWLRQSRLQWVWRWKHQHFHVVLW\RI H[DPSOHIRURWKHUFRXQWULHVERWKLQ(XURSH JLYLQJGXHFRQVLGHUDWLRQWRWKHVSHFL¿FFKDUDF- DQGHOVHZKHUH7KH6ZHGLVKVSRUWVPRYHPHQW WHURIVSRUWDQGLWVLQGHSHQGHQFH:HPDLQWDLQ VKDOODVVXPHDUHVSRQVLELOLW\WRVXSSRUWVSRUWV WKDWVSRUWLV¿UVWDQGIRUHPRVWDQDWLRQDOLVVXH RUJDQL]DWLRQVWKDWDUHEHLQJGHYHORSHGLQRWKHU DQGWKDWLWVKRXOGEHWUHDWHGZLWKGXHUHJDUGWR SDUWVRIWKHZRUOG WKHSULQFLSOHRIVXEVLGLDULW\ 6ZHGLVKVSRUWVHHNVJUHDWHULQÀXHQFHLQ *EOC: European Olympic Committees, LQWHUQDWLRQDOVSRUWVRUJDQL]DWLRQVLQRUGHUWR **ANOC: Associations of National Olympic Committees.

23 Financial and other resources

A common illusion is that sponsors keep the wheels of Swedish sport spinning. This is not the case. Though sponsors do contribute, particularly to arena sports which create media interest, sponsorship hardly accounts for more than 172, 2 millions Euros, which represents some 15-20 per cent of total funding for sport if one discounts the contribution of voluntary leaders. For clubs, local sponsoring is common and it represents an average of about nine per cent of income. By far the largest contribution comes Some figures from in the form of voluntary assistance, which cor- an average club responds to about 70 000 fulltime jobs. The of Sweden are responsible s MEMBERS OFWHICH for the greater share of public support for the  AREACTIVE sports movement. A study by the Swedish s VOLUNTARYLEADERS Sports Confederation shows that subsidies s EMPLOYEES amounted to 250 million Euros, grants to clubs s %UROSTURNOVER to 109 million Euros and investments in sports s ^OFTHECLUBS facilities to 360 million Euros in 2011. REVENUESAREGRANTS Government funding amounts to about 183,4 s OFMEMBERSACTIVES million Euros annually. This grant is administe- AREWOMEN red by the Swedish Sports Confederation. More than 75 per cent of the grant goes to the special sports federations or direct to clubs, based on UHSRUWHGVSRUWVDFWLYLWLHV$ERXW¿YHSHUFHQW goes to central administration. Sport in Sweden also receives more than ticularly elite sport – costs society a great deal 9,5 million Euros from the authorities. of money. The truth is that the sports movement Most of this money goes directly to the special also pays a great deal of money into the public sports district federations via the district sports purse in the form of taxes and tariffs. Major federations. sporting events draw large numbers of visitors Another widely held myth is that sport – par- ZKLFKLVKLJKO\EHQH¿FLDOWRWKHFRXQWU\¶V economy. The Gothia Cup is one of the world’s largest Economy in an football tournaments. It attracts some 50 000 average club Sports lift (goverment grants) Government grants players, leaders and supporters from all corners of the globe. In 2009 the tournament turned Local grants over some 5,5 million Euros which gave a Membership fees bonus to the tax authorities of about 12 million Training fees Euros. Events 7KH9DVDORSSHW PDUDWKRQFURVVFRXQWU\VNL race) attracts some 50 000 elite skiers, amateurs Ads, sponsorship and spectators. In the course of two or three Lotteries weeks they spend about 2 million Euros. Sales Remaining Creative clubs

0 5 10 15 20 Sports clubs show great creativity and commit- ment to fundraising with everything from tra-

24 ditional lotteries to sales of domestic products. But the largest single source of income for sports clubs consists of the membership fees and charges.

Facilities run by clubs The Swedish sports movement relies on the active participation of hundreds of thousands of leaders and a political expectation that local authorities should provide sports facilities for school children, club members and other local inhabitants. At a time when the public sector is expected to make savings many local authorities do not consider themselves able to afford, for ex- ample, to run sports premises. For this reason clubs have increasingly reached agreements with local authorities to take over management of premises. Half of the country’s sports premi- ses are now owned or run by sports clubs.

25 The Swedish model leads to for other activities than purely sporting ones. manifold returns Sports clubs give the people of their loca- Our organizational model for sport as a demo- lity good service, not just through their core cratic and independent popular movement is sporting activities but by organizing swimming unique to Scandinavia. It builds on the volun- lessons, renting out holiday cabins, maintaining tary contributions of hundreds of thousands ski trails, renting out canoes, preparing ska- of leaders together with a consensus that local ting rinks and much else. Much of this is also authorities should help to create positive condi- EHQH¿FLDOWRWRXULVPZKLFKLQWXUQJHQHUDWHV tions for sport. income and creates jobs. Increasing attention is now being given to Simply put, sport makes manifold returns: the role of sport in the social economy. Thanks partly in actual money but, above all, in wellbe- to its democratic and voluntary structure, the ing, in improved health, in a sense of communi- sports movement is uniquely placed to contri- ty, entertainment, joy and meaningful activities bute to the development of society. It comes for millions of Swedes. naturally to many sports organizations to meet the needs of society by taking responsibility

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Facts about Sweden National health insurance: !LLRESIDENTSIN3WEDENARE (October 2011) COVERED!PERSONWHOISILLORMUSTSTAYHOMETOCAREFOR SICKCHILDRENRECEIVESATAXABLEDAILYALLOWANCEOFLOST Area: KMSQMI SIMILARTO#ALIFORNIA INCOME  #AMEROON )RAQ 3PAINOR4HAILAND Parent allowance: &IFTEENMONTHSPAIDLEAVEFROMWORK Climate: !VERAGETEMPERATUREIN*ULYISABOUT ª#ª WHICHCANBESHAREDBETWEENTHEPARENTSANDUSEDANYTIME & 4HEWINTERTEMPERATURESAVERAGESLIGHTLYBELOWFREE BEFORETHECHILDSEIGHTHBIRTHDAY ZINGANDSNOWFALLISMODERATEINTHESOUTHERNPARTSOFTHE COUNTRY Child allowance: 0ARENTSRECEIVETAX FREECHILDALLOWANCES EQUALFOREVERYONE UNTILTHECHILDSTHBIRTHDAY#HILDREN Population:  MILLIONWITHABOUTLIVINGINTHESOUTH WHOTHENCONTINUETHEIREDUCATIONAREENTITLEDTOSTUDY ERNHALFOFTHECOUNTRY ALLOWANCES Inhabitants per km2:   Child care: -UNICIPALITIESPROVIDECHILDRENWITHDAYCAREAND Birth rate: PERCENT AFTER SCHOOLACTIVITIESATSUBSIDIZEDRATES Pensions system: Capital: 3TOCKHOLM INHABITANTS 4HESTANDARDPENSIONABLEAGEIN3WEDEN ISYEARS-OSTEMPLOYEESBENElTFROMBOTHAGOVERNMENT Ethnicity: 3WEDESCA %UROPEANNON 3CANDINAVIAN CA ADMINISTEREDBASICPENSIONANDASUPPLEMENTARYPENSION  !SIANORIGINCA &INNSCA OTHERSCA UNDERTHEJOINTAUSPICESOFTHEEMPLOYERSORGANIZATIONSAND THEUNIONS Language: 3WEDISHA'ERMANICLANGUAGE  School system: .INEYEARSOFCOMPULSORYSCHOOLINGFOR National minority languages: 3ÉMI &INNISH -EËNKIELI ALLCHILDRENFROMTHEAGEOFSIXORSEVEN!BOUTGOON 4ORNEDAL&INNISH 2OMANYAND9IDDISH TOTHEUPPERSECONDARYSCHOOLWITHBOTHVOCATIONALAND ACADEMICPROGRAMME3CHOOLSARERUNBYMUNICIPALITIESAND Literacy:  PROVIDEFREEINSTRUCTION BOOKSANDLUNCHES

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