From Figo to Chivu, European sports stars explain why voting in the European Elections is important, and how being a European has affected their careers and their lives.

Be a sport go and vote

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/15130305/B001-00006-EN1.srt

I think that it is important for everybody  to vote in the European elections.

I hope that there will be a big turnout  on the 7th of June.

Voting is very important  because we all have an opinion.

HEDWIGES MADURO -  AJAX, THE NETHERLANDS

We should vote  for those who share that opinion.

No matter if we are Portuguese, Spanish,  French or Italian, we all feel united.

It's important if we want to be proud,  feel at ease and protected by the EU.

Every vote counts. It's in our own interest  that Spain is well represented in Europe.

They deal with very important matters  and we had better leave it in good hands.

Young people tend to have  little interest in politics.

ANDY & FRÄNK SCHLECK -  TEAM SAXO BANK, LUXEMBURG

Even without being that interested,  you can still have an opinion.

An 80 year old may go and vote but won't  be there to see what happens afterwards.

The young people, those of my age,  should go and vote, for their future.

Especially in these times of crisis  it's in everybody's interest

that Europe comes closer to its citizens,  so that things change.

I hope that we can achieve a smaller gap  between Europe and its citizens.