TY - JOUR T1 - World Spirometry Day 2012: the highlights so far JF - Breathe JO - breathe SP - 5 LP - 8 DO - 10.1183/20734735.500212 VL - 9 IS - 1 AU - M. Fletcher AU - K. Rabe Y1 - 2012/09/01 UR - http://breathe.ersjournals.com/content/9/1/5.abstract N2 - At the time of writing this piece, World Spirometry Day (WSD) has just past and events have started to take place around the world in support of this global awareness campaign initiated by the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS). A previous Editorial in Breathe described the aims and scope of WSD2012 [1], and this current editorial will provide a snapshot of the campaign launch and some of the outstanding and inspirational events held. This editorial will also give details and thanks to some of the many Lung Champions who gave their time and names to WSD2012. Full details of the entire WSD2012 campaign will be available and published in a subsequent issue of this journal. The concept of the WSD2012 Lung Champions was to give a face and a voice to people with lung disease who have managed to overcome their condition to achieve in sport or exercise. The hope was that these individuals would inspire others like them and the public to embrace exercise and appreciate its importance to lung health. In recognition of his status as an international sporting champion and inspiration to others with lung conditions, the 2012 ELF award will be presented to Olaf Tufte at the European Respiratory Society Annual Congress. In addition, Alex Supple will be present to receive a certificate on behalf of all the Lung Champions for overcoming their lung conditions to succeed in sport and for being such a key part of the WSD2012 comapign. Olaf Tufte: Olympic Ambassador At the outset of this project, it seemed hard to imagine that an Olympian, be them past or present, would be willing or have the time to support WSD2012. It was therefore a surprise and a delight when Norwegian Olympic rowing champion Olaf Tufte agreed to spearhead the campaign. Olaf competed in his 5th Olympic … ER -