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Vote: European dimension in sport, Paragraph 100, February 2012.

Six out of ten Europeans participate in sporting activities on a regular basis and some 700,000 sports clubs exist in the EU. Sport plays an important role in our societies. It not only has social, educational, cultural and economic significance but also an important, cross-border, European dimension. Big sporting events, such as the UEFA Champions League, are watched by millions of citizens across Europe. Put simply, sport brings EU citizens closer together and creates a sense of belonging. But in virtually every sport, competition is between national teams. Golf is the only sport where the EU fields a joint team: in the bi-annual Ryder Cup against the United States.

Since 2009 the European Union has the right to help coordinate and support Member States’ policies in the field of sports. In 2012 the European Parliament (EP) adopted a resolution calling on Member States and sports organisations to consider flying the twelve-starred EU flag at major international sports events taking place in the EU. The EP also suggested the European flag should be displayed alongside national flags on the team tracksuits of athletes from EU Member States.