- The document discusses a "To Know Project" aimed at promoting and educating the public about racing pigeons and homing pigeons through various means. - It seeks to build an online database about homing pigeons' history and features, details of racing pigeon sports, and a photo database showing various aspects of racing pigeons. - Information would be spread through websites, articles, videos and more to bring awareness to young people about racing pigeons and their capabilities as athletes. The goal is to modernize and grow interest in the sport.

1. PROJECTO CONHECER(“To Know” Project) RacingPigeons, for a SportwithFuture…

2. Summary Despite all efforts made by racing pigeon enthusiasts and society members, we felt that our sport and namely the homing pigeon, are yet insufficiently or totally unknown by the general public, and in many cases homing pigeons are erroneously associated with other species of Columbidae.

3. - Promotion of the Racing Pigeon Sport, has been the primary need felt and transmitted by the homing pigeon sportsmen and enthusiasts - The Racing Pigeon Sport is one of the main national sports. However, beyond the sporting domain, it has also social, cultural and recreative potentialities which can raise up this pigeon to highly distinguished levels

4. This presentation pretends to be the groundwork to all those who want to take part in a great project of divulge and bring out the Racing Pigeon Sport

6. Today and in the future, to youngsters, the alternatives to the racing pigeons sport are multiple, appealing and modern

7. We all know the difficulties, but we haven’t been able to overcome them?

8. How many of us leave a successor in his pigeon loft?- How many of us have been able to bring a youngster to the sport?

12. Issues 1. History of the homing pigeon: Military - DuringWorldWar II, 2 pigeonsreceivedtheDickinMedal . TheIrishPaddyandtheAmerican G. I. Joewereamong 32 pigeons to receivethismedallion, for theirgallantryandbraveryinsavinghumanliveswiththeiractions. Sports - The modern racing pigeon has been developed over the past 150 years to fly farther and faster and more often than any performances imaginable. Social/Civilian - Homingpigeonswerestillemployedinthe 21st centurybycertainremotepolicedepartmentsinIndia to provideemergencycommunicationservicesfollowing natural disasters http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homing_pigeon

13. 2. Features of the Homing Pigeon: Outstandingabilityofnavigation – Mostresearchersbelievethathomingabilityisbasedon a "mapandcompass" model. Whilethecompassmechanismappears to relyonthesun, themapmechanismhasbeenhighlydebated Outstandingspeed– Theiraverageflyingspeedovermoderatedistancesisaround 48 km/h (30 mph), buttheycanachieveburstsofspeedup to about 95 km/h (59 mph) Outstanding resistance – Flights as long as 1800 kilometershavebeenrecordedbybirdsincompetition http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homing_pigeon

14. 3. Racing Pigeons Sport: Characterization and Implementation: International – http://www.fcipigeons.com National (Portugal) – www.fpcolumbofilia.pt Regional Associations – http://www.columbofilia.net/Columbofilia.aspx?cmbass=14 Private pigeon lofts – http://www.columbofilia.net/Columbofilos.aspx Racing Pigeon Loft Villages Pigeon lofts in Schools Pigeon lofts in community and social centers

16. RacingPigeonLoftVillages

17. Local clubs and regional associations (installations and functioning) - Means of transport (pigeon trucks…) - Pigeon departures and arrivals in contests and trainings - Racing Pigeon enthusiast meetings and award winning ceremonies - Pigeon exhibitions

18. SpreadingtheInformation via e-mail Information should be simple, appealing and attractive Did you know that… In Portugal, Racing Pigeon Sport is practiced by more than 16 000 enthusiasts, organized in 763 clubs (530 active) and 15 district/regional associations (including Azores and Madeira islands)?

19. Did you know that… In Portugal and the World, public figures were Racing Pigeon enthusiasts: - Sports Bento, José Peseiro, Chalana, José Torres… - Science Prof. Dr. Rodrigues Branco, Prof. Dr. Andrade Gouveia… - Society QueenElizabeth II, PrinceAlFaiçal, Mariano Palacios

20. Did you know that… Racing Pigeons Sport has categories like some Olympic Sports: - Short distance/ Velocity (from 150 to 300 kms) - Medium distance (from 301 to 500 kms) - Long distance (from 501 to 800 kms) - Very long distance (more than 800 kms)

21. Did you know that… - Pigeon lofts canbeequippedwithelectronicsystems, in order to register the arrival of pigeons duringcompetitions? - Thesesystemsregister the exact time when the pigeon enters the loft? - Racing pigeons are obligated to use an official ring with a number, which matches a card, in manywayslike a humancitizencard? - National Pigeon Federationsconduct an annualcensus of theirracing pigeons, and pigeon enthusiasts ?

23. Did you know that… - The competitions are organized in local, regional, national and international championships (ex.: European Championship, World Championship and Olympic Championship)? - The Homing Pigeon has a special food, depending on his age and competitive category? - To feed the baby pigeons, the Homing Pigeon produces a special milk, which is high in proteins and fats? This milk allows the baby pigeon to gain weight rapidly after his birth

24. Did you know that… - The Racing Pigeon is an athlete that can fly at about 90 km/h to a maximum of 120 km/h? - This athlete has daily care and special attention by his owner? - The Racing Pigeons have vaccines and vitamins? - The Homing Pigeons have a weekly bath with mineral salts?

25. Final Thoughts What we just considered, are some ideas that need to be developed. However, these thoughts can grow and become the cornerstone of news, facts and curiosities that can be transmitted to the target populations.

26. Final Thoughts Each and every one of us can and should divulge the Racing Pigeon: To friendsTo neighbors To fellow colleaguesTo known personsTo friends of friends….

27. Final Thoughts It is essential to promote and encourage Racing Pigeons Sport, closely working with schools, municipal services, sports, cultural and social associations…

30. To establish the International Day of Homing Pigeon, celebrating on the World Peace DayThe Future of The Racing Pigeon Sport does not depend on others, but of each and everyone of us.