Ireland’s Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue, has backed stronger European cooperation on sustainable sports tourism and athlete mental health following the latest meeting of EU sports ministers in Brussels.
McConalogue represented Ireland at the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council meeting yesterday, where ministers formally approved Council conclusions recognising sport tourism as a contributor to sustainable development across Europe.
The conclusions highlight the potential of sport tourism to support economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability, while encouraging member states to develop long-term strategies for major sporting events and sports participation.
The discussions aligned closely with Ireland’s recently launched Major International Sports Event Strategy, which McConalogue said could play an important role in delivering sustainable tourism and economic benefits through sport.
The Council conclusions stated that sport tourism can “generate economic opportunities, encourage healthier lifestyles and reinforce social cohesion, while ensuring that environmental protection and climate resilience remain at the core of Europe’s sport tourism.”
Mental health in sport also featured prominently on the agenda, with ministers taking part in a policy debate examining the balance between individual resilience and wider system responsibility.
The discussion focused on the need for sporting structures, organisations and governing bodies to play a greater role in protecting athlete wellbeing and creating safer environments across sport.
Ahead of the meeting, McConalogue had identified athlete mental health as a priority area for Ireland, pointing to a number of initiatives already in place nationally to safeguard athletes and support participation in sport in a safe environment.
Ministers also exchanged views on advancing active ageing through sport, examining how increased participation can improve the health and well-being of older people.
McConalogue also outlined Ireland’s priorities for its upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which begins on 1 July 2026, covering culture, audiovisual policy, media and sport.
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Image Credit: European Council
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