30 Final remarks The above pages have provided a summary of the principles underlying the Sports Agenda 2017+. Given constraints of space, it has left out of consideration a number of factors that are equally important to the two main ambitions of the Dutch NOC and the sports federations: that is, securing a place among the top ten sporting nations, and promoting sporting enjoyment for everyone. For instance, taking sporting enjoyment as a guiding principle and in line with the existing national programme to promote a ‘Safe Climate in Sport’, directors, coaches, and referees are being trained (and given refresher training) within sports clubs. In relation to encouraging participation, the national programmes ‘Local opportunities for sport and exercise’ and ‘Active without limits’ are also worthy of mention. Sports Agenda 2017+ also devotes attention to the importance of ‘cleaning up’ sport. For in spite of all the marvellous things sport has to offer, there is also a dark side, with excesses such as doping, match fixing, maladministration, sexual intimidation, human rights violations, fraud, and discrimination. All references to Dutch elite sport include the top ranks of Paralympic sport, which have the same ambitions and strict requirements, and the same supervision. One of the aims pursued by Sports Agenda 2017+ is to ensure that participation in sport by persons with a disability can also be expanded into a wideranging programme in which supply and demand are more closely attuned.
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