Sport and International Friendship:
Empowering US and Iranian Athletes to Become Ambassadors of Friendship and Understanding Through Sport
Baskerville Institute’s Sport and International Friendship program recognizes the unique strengths of both individual and team sports in promoting global understanding and peace.
Through wrestling, participants engage in a deeply personal journey of self-discipline, perseverance, and mental fortitude. They learn to overcome challenges, respect their opponents, and develop a strong sense of self-worth. These individual attributes, when combined with the collective spirit of team sports like basketball, create a powerful force for positive change.
Basketball, with its emphasis on teamwork, collaboration, and shared goals, fosters a sense of unity and belonging among players from diverse backgrounds. They learn to communicate effectively, support one another, and work together towards a common objective. This shared experience cultivates empathy, understanding, and a sense of global citizenship.
Baskerville Institute’s program harnesses the power of both individual and team sports to create a holistic approach to fostering global understanding and peace. By empowering individuals and teams, the program contributes to a more harmonious and interconnected world.
Your contribution will help us provide essential programs and support opportunities to bring individuals and teams from different nations together to build bridges of understanding and foster a more peaceful and harmonious world.
Baskerville Institute webinar with three distinguished speakers:
Nenad Lalovic, President of United World Wrestling (UWW) and a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) The UWW is the international governing body for amateur wrestling and Olympic wrestling. UWW is located in Corsier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland. It was established in 1921. It is responsible for overseeing wrestling at the World Championships and Olympics. Lalovic has been a member of the International Olympic Committee since 2015. Nenad Lalovic’s leadership as President of UWW and as a member of the IOC has been essential to the sport’s growth and expansion.
Andrew F. Barth (Andy) is a retired chairman of Capital Guardian Trust Company. He is a member of the Board of Trustees at Columbia University and the founder of the Titan Mercury Wrestling Club in the United States. The club includes many Olympic medalists as members. He was the team leader for the United States Men’s Freestyle Wrestling Team for the 2016 Olympics in Rio and was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2012 as an Outstanding American. Barth was the founding member of the Committee to Preserve Wrestling (CPOW). He has had a significant impact on wrestling’s growth and expansion since 2013. He has been a major contributor to USA Wrestling and the U.S. Olympic Committee.
Adeline Gray is the most decorated female wrestler in the world and the most decorated wrestler in U.S. history. Six-time Senior World Championships gold medalist—the most of any wrestler in U.S. history, regardless of style or gender. Nine-time Senior World Championships medalist—tied for the most in U.S. women’s wrestling history. Most world & Olympic medals of any female Olympic athlete.
ERIN HARDY
Assistant Project Manager
LESLIE RODRIGUEZ-DIAZ
Assistant Project Manager
