As the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 inspire millions around the globe, the Youth Charter is urging organizers, governments, and partners to ensure the event leaves a lasting social impact, not just record-breaking performances.

For more than 30 years, the Youth Charter has championed sport, arts, and culture as tools to fight inequality and provide young people with pathways to thrive. Now, the organization is calling on future championships to integrate sport and physical activity for development into their long-term legacy strategies.

Priorities focus on participation, health, and inclusion

Among the key priorities outlined are:

• Participation for all through accessible programs like Kids’ Athletics and Youth Charter’s Community Campuses.

• Healthy futures by connecting sport to clean air, climate action, and overall wellbeing.

• Inclusion and safety with safeguards, gender equality initiatives, and role models such as the Athlete Refugee Team.

Youth Charter Chair Prof. Geoff Thompson MBE emphasized the importance of long-term planning. “Mega events must deliver more than memories. Tokyo 2025 is a chance to create pathways for every young person to be inspired and empowered through sport,” Thompson said.

Framework aims to turn inspiration into global action

The Youth Charter is inviting international federations, funders, and city leaders to collaborate on a World Championship Sport for Development Legacy Framework, ensuring that inspiration from major events translates into concrete action for communities worldwide.