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Hatred is a huge and often under estimated issue in contemporary society. People are attacked, discriminated against, persecuted and bullied because of who they are and because of their religion, sexuality, race or disability.

When hatred has been shown in its most lethal forms, as the driving force in Nazi Germany, people were singled out, persecuted and killed because of a hatred of who there were and what they stood for - nothing more. Pol Pot's Cambodia and Rwanda in 1994 are further examples in modern history of persecution and hatred leading to an incomprehensible conclusion.
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I am a lucky man. I wake up to a normal household of stroppy teenagers and an even stroppier wife.

But this idyllic life of mine has not always been the same. My family has always given me strength, purpose and the courage to fight through adversity and outrage.

Hatred is a huge and often under estimated issue in contemporary society. People are regularly attacked, discriminated against, persecuted and bullied because of who they are and because of their religion, sexuality, race or disability.

I have some of my fondest memories growing up in Merseyside, and I wouldn't change it for the world. Sadly, however, this is not the case for everyone.

Like too many places across the UK, people commit acts of hatred against others, due to discrimination and prejudice. The number of racially or religiously aggravated attacks in the North West rose by more than nearly 50% between 2003 and 2007. We need to do something to stop it.

Hatred is a huge and often under estimated issue in contemporary society. People are attacked, discriminated against, persecuted and bullied because of who they are and because of their religion, sexuality, race or disability.

When hatred has been shown in its most lethal forms, as the driving force in Nazi Germany, people were singled out, persecuted and killed because of a hatred of who there were and what they stood for - nothing more.

Pol Pot's Cambodia and Rwanda in 1994 are further examples in modern history of persecution and hatred leading to an incomprehensible conclusion. Unless we begin to recognise the early signs of this, even in acts that are comparably insignificant, we face the danger of history repeating itself.

Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January 2009 is encouraging us all to 'Stand up to Hatred' and to respect our fellow colleagues, neighbours and communities. Sport can bring people together like nothing else can - building relationships, developing friendships and crossing borders.

Events such as the Olympic Games and the World Cup are massively enjoyed by all different sections of society. We can hope to significantly change existing divides using our enjoyment and participation in sport to break down prejudicial barriers.

It's easy to see how a lack of understanding can lead to prejudice and that, in turn, can lead to hatred.

This hatred then spirals out of control and taints every aspect of our lives. Most of us have at some time been its victim through bullying, discrimination or worse.
We must become proactive against it and all its forms.

And we can all start with the smallest of gestures, which will eventually chip away at what some may see as an insurmountable ideal. In the lead up to HMD09 I want to encourage us all to 'Stand up To Hatred'.

Des Coleman

Genocide is an appalling crime against humanity that we hope will never again be repeated. Today, as we approach Holocaust Memorial Day, we might stop and reflect on the fact that it still has the potential to be repeated and perpetrated around the world, unless we are on our guard and understand that our actions today have consequences tomorrow.

The use of the term genocide can be problematic and contentious but it shouldn't disguise historical fact. One of the first modern day genocides took place in Armenia, a part of modern day Turkey in 1915.