SPORT AID - 1986

 

In attempt to continue the contributions toward Africa, Bob Geldof organized Sport Aid. Sport Aid was a massive event combining humanitarian aid and sports. The Sport Aid event united several millions of people across the five continents. This marathon event was held simultaneously around the globe.

True to the Bob Geldof way, this event was given much media attention.

On Sunday May 25, 1986 participants from all over the world were urged to sign up and agree to walk or ran 10 km,  at exactly the same moment. The participants solicited sponsorships or donations that were given to support African famine relief charities.

At  11a.m. EDT it is estimated that over 20 million people walked or ran for the initial Sport Aid event. Countless millions of runners set out at the same time to run around their local village or park, or simply to take part in this global event.

Leading the way was Omar Khalifa, the legendary Sudanese athlete , who lit a torch from the African relief camp fire in Khartoum, Sudan and carried it through Europe to the United Nations in New York.

London saw 200,000 runners complete the course. In the Falkland Islands British troops ran, in Iceland 15,000 took part, and Barcelona, Spain over 50,000 runners took part. Brazilian soccer star Pele led 3,000 up First Avenue while rock singer Sting led the way in London.
F.A. Cup star Craig Johnson in Brisbane ran with a group of over 20,000 in Australia.

No less than 274 cities in 78 countries were involved. Television stations all over the world showed a live broadcast of the event to an estimated 700 million TV viewers.
Sport Aid is still the biggest sporting event ever organized.

The event was documented on video and proceeds from the sale of the video went to aid relief in Africa.

Tears For Fears re-recorded their song "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" for the event.

The song "Everybody Wants to Run the World" was released as a 45 and 12" single. The 45 and 12" single included 2 tracks:
"Everybody Wants to Run the World" and "Everybody Wants to Run the World" (Running Version)