ISCA, Denmark and the most active week in Europe

20/09/2016

During the European Week of Sport (EWoS), from 10-18 September, ISCA as the National Coordinator Body for Denmark, got into the action and participated its flagship events across the country.

Starting with the official opening event of EWoS, the FlashMOVE flash mob, more than 60 dancers at the Motorvejsløb (an active festival celebrating the opening of a new highway in Silkeborg, Jutland) joined in the FlashMOVE choreography and an energising aerobic-style intro led by Tinna Ølholm Jørgensen from DGI Midtjylland. Some of the participants had only learned the steps early in the day with a little dance-off challenge, but fired up with an awesome rendition as soon as the music started. ISCA took part in the event’s EXPO and ISCA President Mogens Kirkeby was also present, on this occasion taking part in the cycling race together with the DGI team. At the same time in Copenhagen, the LG Gymnastik (Gymnastics) club performed a FlashMOVE with 80 kids having fun and enjoying the benefits of being physically active.

As the European Week of Sport rolled on, ISCA followed international students from the Ollerup Academy of Physical Education as they created a wave of activity from the City Hall Square, to crowded plazas and streets, the Superkilen and Red Square outdoor facilities in Nørrebro, and tourist attractions like the Little Mermaid and Tivoli amusement park. Pop up events, FlashMOVEs, stretching and massage circles and taking over the public space for physical activity, were some of the activities the students proposed to passers-by and curious onlookers.

On Thursday 15 September, European Fitness Day became a reality and ISCA’s staff shared some office moves, a FlashMOVE outside the ISCA and DGI offices, and ball games with students from Copenhagen EGU School. Along with fitness centres and clubs in more than 300 locations around Europe, these “good sports” gave it their all on the most active day of the year.

So, too, did the 600 participants at DGI Copenhagen and the City of Copenhagen’s festival for seniors “Spring for Livet”, which took place at Nørrebrohallen. An event organised especially for citizens aged 60+, Spring for Livet saw 18 organisations who deliver physical activity initiatives for seniors showcase what they have to offer in interactive sessions.

Saturday was the time for the Danish Street Soccer Cup finals, where DGI Underground and Copenhagen panna house hosted street football tournaments, freestyle and panna shows that “occupied” the Copenhagen City Hall square to a hip-hop soundtrack. DGI Underground presented a European Week of Sport Fair Play award at the end of each final – a tough task because each competitor looked as ecstatic as the next no matter whether they won or lost. Such is the spirit of street sport.

From Friday on, ISCA was present at the Copenhagen Half Marathon EXPO, challenging participants and visitors to be active with push-ups, squats, jumping jacks and some of them even with dance steps. The atmosphere was a motivation in itself and on Sunday ISCA’s staff turned into a cheer squad on the big day at the BeActive stand, while ISCA Finance Manager, Baptiste Colin, took on the biggest challenge – running the half marathon himself.

Thanks to a combined effort of our partners around the country, Denmark was certainly active during the European Week of Sport. Some of us on the ISCA team also ended up with sore muscles, but it was all worth it. Moving more people each day is our mission, and as long as somebody is moving, we will keep doing it too.