VENICE, 15 September – An event dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Panathlon Club Venezia and Panathlon International was presented at Venice City Hall. This anniversary holds great symbolic significance for the Panathlon movement, which has its roots right here in the Lagoon.
Panathlon International and the Panathlon Club Venezia were welcomed by the city council in the presence of the mayor, Simone Venturini, at the press conference to present the Flambeau d’Or and the celebrations marking Panathlon’s 75th anniversary.
During the meeting, heartfelt thanks were extended to the city council and the mayor for their hospitality and support for the initiatives linked to this important anniversary.
The highlight of the celebrations is scheduled for Saturday 19 September at the Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista, where the official ceremony marking the 75th anniversary will take place, along with the presentation of the “Flambeau d’Or – in memory of Antonio Spallino”, an award which this year will be presented to two leading figures in international sport: Francesca Porcellato and Bashir Abdi, Olympic silver medallist in the marathon at the Paris 2024 Games.
The ceremony will thus represent not only a moment of celebration for Panathlon, but also an opportunity to pay tribute to two athletes who have left their mark on the history of international sport.
We look forward to welcoming you to Venice to experience this special moment together: for those unable to attend in person, a live stream of the ceremony will also be available
Cover photo: from left: Giuseppe Zambon, Councillor for the Italy District; Giorgio Chinellato, International President of PI; Simone Venturini, Mayor of the City of Venice; Gian Antonio Simoni Gaudenzi, President of Panathlon Club Venice; Diego Vecchiato, Past President of Panathlon Club Venice
Am Dienstag, dem 8. September 2026, trat der Präsidialausschuss von Panathlon International unter dem Vorsitz des internationalen Präsidenten Giorgio Chinellato per Videokonferenz zusammen.
Während der Sitzung wurden zahlreiche Themen erörtert, die für die Aktivitäten der Bewegung von Bedeutung sind, wobei der Schwerpunkt insbesondere auf internationalen, projektbezogenen und kulturellen Initiativen lag. Zu den behandelten Themen gehörten das Thema „Hikikomori“ – insbesondere im Hinblick auf das für den folgenden Tag bei den europäischen Institutionen geplante Treffen –, die Teilnahme an der bevorstehenden EPAS-Sitzung im November in München, das für Oktober geplante Treffen mit dem IOC sowie die Präsenz von Panathlon International beim SportAccord-Forum.
Nach Prüfung des vorgelegten Dokuments bestätigte der Ausschuss, dass er das Projekt „Alpe Adria Sport“ sowie die Ausarbeitung einer Kooperationsvereinbarung mit dem Catch’s Serve Ball Verband vorantreiben werde. Ebenfalls bekräftigt wurde das Interesse an der Fortsetzung der Organisation eines Fotowettbewerbs in Zusammenarbeit mit der PI-D. Chiesa-Stiftung. Es gab zudem eine kurze Diskussion über Satzungsänderungen und die mögliche Einführung einer Hymne von Panathlon International, die anschließend dem Internationalen Vorstand zur Beratung vorgelegt wird.
Besonderes Augenmerk wurde auf den Bericht des internationalen Präsidenten über die Teilnahme an den Karibikspielen in Santo Domingo sowie auf das mit dem „Centro Caribe Sports“ unterzeichnete Protokoll gelegt – eine wichtige Gelegenheit zur institutionellen Vertretung und zum Kontakt mit zahlreichen Vertretern der internationalen Sportwelt, darunter auch Mitglieder des IOC.
Der zweite Teil der Sitzung war kulturellen Aktivitäten und anstehenden Veranstaltungen gewidmet, darunter dem Online-Katalog, dem 75-jährigen Jubiläum des PC Venezia und von Panathlon International, der Verleihung des „Flambeau d’Or“-Preises, der Teilnahme an der RelazionExpo 2026 sowie dem Sitting-Volleyball-Turnier, das in Klagenfurt stattfinden soll.
Im Anschluss an die im September 2025 eingeleiteten Diskussionen hat Panathlon International dazu beigetragen, die europäischen Institutionen auf das Phänomen „Hikikomori“ aufmerksam zu machen, insbesondere im Hinblick auf die Prävention von psychischen Belastungen und sozialer Isolation bei jungen Menschen.
Am Mittwoch, dem 9. September, findet von 15:00 bis 17:00 Uhr im Europäischen Parlament in Brüssel eine Podiumsdiskussion mit dem Titel **„Hikikomori: Europäische Perspektiven zu Maßnahmen zur Prävention des Phänomens und bewährte Praktiken aus Italien“** statt, die auf Initiative der Europaabgeordneten Mariateresa Vivaldini organisiert wird.
Zu den Rednern der Veranstaltung zählen unter anderem der Präsident von Panathlon International, Giorgio Chinellato, sowie das internationale Vorstandsmitglied Fabiano Gino Maria Gerevini, der die internationale Arbeitsgruppe zum Hikikomori-Syndrom leitet.
Panathlon International ist stolz darauf, zur Erreichung dieses wichtigen Meilensteins beigetragen zu haben, der das Ergebnis seiner engagierten Bemühungen ist, den Dialog zu fördern und das Bewusstsein der Institutionen für ein Thema von wachsender gesellschaftlicher Bedeutung zu schärfen.
Live-Stream auf dem YouTube-Kanal des PI
From Europe to the United Nations and from there to the World
The #YOULEAD – Leading the Game project reached the United Nations Headquarters in New York!
As part of the One World, One Game, One Goal initiative, YOULEAD was brought to the international stage during discussions focused on young people and the role of sport in addressing some of the challenges they face today.
Hear the message from Fábio Figueiras, representing Panathlon International, Coordinator of the YOULEAD project, directly from the United Nations Headquarters.
His message highlights YOULEAD’s commitment to empowering young people and creating meaningful opportunities for them to participate in leadership and decision-making within sport.
From Europe to New York, YOULEAD continues to carry its message beyond borders: young people should not only have a voice in sport – they should have a role in shaping its future.
Co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Sport Programme.
CALL FOR ENTRIES | European Fair Play / EFPM Awards 2025/2026 | Nominations Open Until 15 September 2026
The European Fair Play Movement (EFPM) has officially opened the call for nominations for the European Fair Play / European Fair Play Movement Awards 2025/2026.
These prestigious awards recognize outstanding examples of fair play, ethical conduct, and the promotion of sporting values in sport and society.
Nominations are welcome from individuals, organizations, institutions, and initiatives that have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the principles of fair play.
Submission deadline: 15 September 2026
Applications: award@fairplayeur.eu
Please note that only applications submitted using the official application form will be considered.
For detailed information and access to the official application form, please visit:
https://fairplayeur.eu/.../efp-efpm-awards/call-for-entries/
On 25 July 2026, in Santo Domingo, the International President of Panathlon International, Giorgio Chinellato, and the President of Centro Caribe Sports, Luis Mejía Oviedo, signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the context of the 25th Central American and Caribbean Games, Santo Domingo 2026.
The signing of the agreement was made possible thanks to the initiative and commitment of the President of Panathlon Club Santo Domingo, Domingo Solano, who facilitated dialogue between the two organisations and made a tangible contribution to the realisation of this new international collaboration.
The ceremony took place the day after the opening of the Games, in the presence of numerous sporting authorities and a significant delegation of Panathletes. Also present was Balthazar Medina, President of the Bolivarian Sports Organisation (ODEBO), with which Panathlon International had signed a similar agreement in 2023, during the Pan American Congress in Guayaquil, to promote Fair Play within the Bolivarian Games.
The new Protocol stems from a shared commitment to fostering a sporting culture based on respect, loyalty, ethics and Fair Play. Through the direct involvement of the Panathlon Club Santo Domingo, Panathlon International will be present at the Games, helping to promote its principles and encourage the behaviour that best embodies the true spirit of sport.
The 25th Central American and Caribbean Games, scheduled to take place from 24 July to 9 August, will bring together over 6,000 athletes from 37 countries and represent one of the region’s major multi-sport events.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding therefore marks another important step in Panathlon International’s international expansion. Thanks to the collaboration with Centro Caribe Sports and the work of the Santo Domingo Club, the Movement will be able to strengthen its presence in the Central American and Caribbean region, bringing Panathlon’s values to an event of particular significance for international sport.
President Giorgio Chinellato and the President of Centro Caribe Sports, Luis Mejía Oviedo
Domingo Solano, President of the Panathlon Club Santo Domingo, President Giorgio Chinellato and Luis Mejía Oviedo, President of Centro Caribe Sports
From left: Domingo Solano, President of the Panathlon Club Santo Domingo; Cesar Polit; President Giorgio Chinellato; Myriam Leonor Suárez and Luis Mejía Oviedo, Secretary-General and President respectively of the Bolivarian Sports Organisation – ODEBO
President Giorgio Chinellato with Balthazar Medina, President of the Bolivarian Sports Organisation – ODEBO, and Myriam Leonor Suárez, Secretary-General
Der internationale Präsident von Panathlon International, Giorgio Chinellato, ist in der Dominikanischen Republik eingetroffen, wo er vom Präsidenten des neuen Panathlon-Clubs Santo Domingo, Domingo Solano, mit großer Begeisterung empfangen wurde.
Der Besuch bietet eine wichtige Gelegenheit, die Mitglieder zu treffen, die Beziehungen zur lokalen Panathlon-Gemeinschaft zu festigen und Panathleten aus anderen Ländern zu treffen. Präsident Chinellato wurde ausserdem eingeladen, an der Eröffnungsfeier und den damit Verbundenen Veran staltungen teilzunehmen, einer der renommiertesten Sportveranstaltungen des Kontinents.
Die vom Internationalen Olympischen Komitee als älteste regionale Multisportveranstaltung anerkannten Zentralamerikanischen und Karibischen Spiele werden bei ihrer Ausgabe 2026 in Santo Domingo über 6.000 Athleten aus 37 Ländern zusammenbringen. Ein Ereignis von grosser internationaler Bedeutung, das Panathlon International eine wichtige Gelegenheit bieten wird, seine Präsenz im karibischen Raum zu stärken und die Werte von Fairplay, Ethik und Respekt durch den Sport zu fördern.
Der Höhepunkt der Mission wird am 25. Juli sein, wenn der internationale Präsident auf Initiative von Präsident Solano eine Absichtserklärung mit Centro Caribe Sports unterzeichnen wird, um über den Club bei den Zentralamerikanischen und Karibischen Spielen präsent zu sein und die Verbreitung der Sportkultur und des Fairplay aktiv zu fördern.
IPACS has published the Fact Sheet on Artificial Intelligence and Corruption in Sport, the first major output of the new Working Group dedicated to AI.
The publication has been added to the IPACS Tool Library and marks the launch of a new section dedicated to artificial intelligence, which will also host future resources on the topic.
The new Fact Sheet on artificial intelligence reaffirms IPACS’s role as an international benchmark for the development of tools to support integrity in sport. This is a path that Panathlon International follows and supports wholeheartedly, by participating in its initiatives and promoting a culture of good governance, transparency, and sporting ethics.
In the coming months, the publication will also be available in French and Spanish. The topic of artificial intelligence will also be explored in greater depth during the 9th IPACS Annual General Conference, scheduled for 2 October 2026
The International Board met online last Thursday, 9 July, to review ongoing activities and coordinate Panathlon International’s upcoming commitments. The International Board Members reported on the work carried out within their respective areas of responsibility, ranging from expansion activities to relations with Clubs and Districts, whilst the General Secretariat updated the Board on international projects and the organisation of forthcoming events.
The focus of the meeting was the follow-up to the General Assembly in Ghent: following the approval of the amendments to the Articles of Association, work has begun on updating the regulations and implementing the decisions adopted.
The Board then reviewed the progress of the Erasmus+ projects. In June, the international MindFit meetings in Izmir and the YouLead meetings in Podgorica took place, involving representatives from Panathlon International and its partners. New collaborations with universities were also assessed, the Ethos project, as well as partnerships with sports institutions and associations, alongside initiatives to expand the Movement into new countries. The Alpe Adria project, which is undergoing continuous development, was particularly well received. Furthermore, in order to help promote Panathlon’s values in Central and Eastern Europe, the President of the newly formed Club in Croatia, Milan Čupić, joined the Expansion and Development working group.
A significant part of the meeting was then devoted to the celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of Panathlon International and the Flambeau d’Or ceremony, scheduled to take place in Venice. The main organisational details were finalised and the award recipients identified, in preparation for an event honouring individuals who, through their own journeys, have embodied the ethical and cultural values of sport.
The Board concluded by taking note of the important developments in the project dedicated to the Hikikomori, which will see Panathlon International take centre stage on 9 September at the European Parliament, as part of a meeting aimed at exploring this sensitive issue in greater depth, confirming the Association’s growing commitment to issues of significant social impact.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board (EB) has provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) that had been in effect since 12 October 2023. The decision was taken following a thorough analysis by the IOC’s Legal Affairs Commission, considering that the ROC no longer includes as its members any regional sports organisations in territories falling under the jurisdiction of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Ukraine. In addition, the ROC confirmed that it does not, and will not, conduct any activities in these territories. The IOC EB will continue to closely monitor the situation relating to any ROC activities in those territories, and reserves the right to take any further measures if deemed necessary.
With the qualification period for both the LA28 Olympic Games and the Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 Winter Youth Olympic Games having started, and the need to offer equal access to these competitions to all athletes, the IOC EB decided that its recommended conditions of participation for International Federations (IFs) and international sports event organisers of 28 February 2022 and 28 March 2023 as they relate to Russian athletes and teams, including the protective measures, are no longer applicable.
In accordance with the Olympic Charter, and as applicable to all NOCs in general when selecting the athletes participating in the Olympic Games, the ROC must ensure that Russian athletes’ “selection [for the Olympic Games] shall be based not only on their sports performance, but also on their ability to serve as role models who respect, uphold and promote a peaceful society through sport as set forth in the Olympic Charter.” (Bye-law 2.1 to Rules 27 and 28).