ICSSPE President Margaret Talbot has passed away

Margaret Talbot was a life-long advocate and activist for equity in sport and physical education, and fought continually to defend the statutory entitlement to quality physical education around the world. She was the author of numerous books, research reports and international policy documents, all of which expressed her strong sympathy for communities in need, for women, persons with disabilities and children.

This engagement was clearly expressed when Margaret Talbot addressed the closing session of Play the Game 2013 where she called for more vertical accountability in world sport:

“International and national federations should be accountable to their members, and members should be asking questions. But there is such a disconnection between the grassroots members and the people who run specific sports,” she said.

Margaret Talbot had also been President of the International Association of Physical Education and Sport for Girls and Women from 1997 to 2005. In addition to her voluntary positions, she had been Chief Executive of the Central Council of Physical Recreation, and the Association for Physical Education, both based in the United Kingdom. She was also Chair of the Education Committee of the International Paralympic Committee.

Speaking on behalf of ICSSPE’s President’s Committee and Executive Board, Acting President Uri Schaefer says:

“Margaret will be deeply missed, among others for her visionary leadership and for her determination. She never stopped advocating for an ethically healthy sport and for providing opportunities for all members of society to be physically active and for children to grow and to learn in a healthy way by enjoying participation in physical education.”

See ICSSPE's press release here