Author & Sport Leader Dr Harry Edwards newest Patron of the Centre for Sport & Human Rights

01 Nov 2023

Author - Centre for Sport and Human Rights

The Centre for Sport and Human Rights (CSHR) is proud to announce that Dr. Harry Edwards has joined the organisation as Patron.

Dr. Edwards is a renowned US based sociologist and author whose distinguished career has focused on the connections between race, sport and society. His book The Revolt of the Black Athlete and his work with United Black Students for Action underpinned the Olympic Project for Human Rights movement, which influenced the iconic winner’s podium protest by Olympians Tommie Smith and John Carlos in 1968, supported by Peter Norman.

The announcement was made in London on 31 October 2023 at "Echoes of the Rumble" - a special performance of "Rumble in the Jungle Rematch" bringing together the sport and human rights community and friends of CSHR in London. Part theatre show, part festival, this production re-imagines Kinshasa 1974 for the Rumble in the Jungle, where Muhammad Ali and George Foreman fought for the heavyweight championship of the world. For CSHR’s takeover of the show, a special presentation addressed themes of social justice, athlete activism, and human rights advocacy, and Dr. Edwards greeted attendees via video message in his new role as Patron.

Dr. Edwards joins CSHR patrons Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Guy Ryder, former Director General of the ILO and current UN Under-Secretary General for Policy.

Dr. Harry Edwards said: I am deeply honoured to have been asked to serve as a Patron of the Centre for Sport and Human Rights. I am grateful to President Mary Robinson for her leadership in bringing together the worlds of sport and human rights in this way, and to everyone supporting and sharing this vision, including Mary Harvey, and the entire Centre team. I’m excited to contribute to CSHR’s important work. 

The Centre’s Founding Chair and Patron Mary Robinson said: I’m delighted to welcome Harry Edwards to CSHR as Patron. His lifetime commitment to promoting human rights through sport is an inspiration, and a shining example of the power of principled leadership in driving positive social change. We look forward to benefiting from Dr. Edwards’ advice and guidance as CSHR continues to work with its global network to advance the sport and human rights agenda around the world. 

About the Centre for Sport and Human Rights

Launched in June 2018, CSHR works towards a world of sport that fully respects human rights by sharing knowledge, building capacity, and strengthening the accountability of all actors in the sport ecosystem through collective action. 

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