Jean-Michel Saive, pictured playing at June's European Games in Baku has called for wide participation in the first European Week of Sport ©Getty Images

European Olympic Committees (EOC) Athletes' Commission chair Jean-Michel Saive has called for the public to embrace the first European Week of Sport, due to take place next month from September 7 to 13.

The European Union (EU)-organised initiative is aiming to promote sport and physical activity, with the EOC playing a promoting role.

Targeting everyone, "regardless of age, background or fitness level", grassroots initiatives will be used to inspire Europeans to #BeActive on a regular basis and create opportunities in peoples’ everyday lives to exercise more.

Events are set to take place at EU, national, regional and local level, being structured to include themes and activities that appeal to all audiences, with public authorities, civil society organisations, the private sector, grassroots initiatives, sports organisations and individuals all coming together to play an organising role.

In addition to the 28 EU Member States, they will also be held in Macedonia, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Turkey.

“Fair Play, team spirit, respect and tolerance: applying those unwritten rules can help us build a better and more inclusive society," said Saive, Belgium's 1994 European table tennis champion.

The first European Week of Sport is set to take place across 33 nations from September 7 to 13 ©European Week of Sport
The first European Week of Sport, in which the EOC is closely involved, is set to take place across 33 countries from September 7 to 13 ©European Week of Sport

The week will be structured around four Focus Days: based around the education environment, workplace, outdoors, sport clubs and fitness centres.

These are billed as "the main settings where people can improve their habits and #BeActive".

At the heart of the Week is the Flagship Event, the theme of which will change every year.

Due to take place this year on September 9 in Brussels, this event will bring together decision-makers, stakeholders and experts from across Europe to "share best practices and come up with innovative ways to inspire Europeans to get moving through interactive workshops, a high-profile conference and other activities".

It will culminate in an Awards ceremony, showcasing some of the best grassroots initiatives in Europe that are tackling the challenge by offering fun and creative opportunities to engage people of all ages and backgrounds to participate in sport and physical activity.

The Week of Sport as a whole is composed of projects co-financed by the European Commission, as well as events organised by the week’s European partners.

More information, including details on how to be involved, can be found here.