Pope Francis "implored sports leaders on Wednesday to do a better job of keeping corruption off the playing field," according to Andrew Dampf of the AP. Speaking at the first global conference on faith and sport, Francis said that "sports must be protected from manipulations and commercial abuse." He said, "It would be sad for sport and for humanity if people were unable to trust in the truth of sporting results, or if cynicism and disenchantment were to drown out enthusiasm or joyful and disinterested participation." Members of the IOC, football execs and athletes "were attending the three-day conference in the Vatican." Francis: "In sport, as in life, competing for the result is important, but playing well and fairly is even more important. I trust that these days of meeting and reflection will allow you to explore further the good that sport and faith can bring to our societies." U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and IOC President Thomas Bach were "special guests for the opening ceremony of the convention, called Sport at the Service of Humanity." Bach said, "One of the many values shared by sport and faith is the respect for the dignity and equality of all human beings. In sport, like in faith, we are all equal" (AP, 10/5).
