The first meeting with the partners of the Erasmus+ YouLead project took place online on Thursday, November 27.
Seventeen young people participated in the virtual meeting to learn about the objectives of the new initiative on which the PI Secretariat is working together with Fabio Figueiras and Lorenzo d'Ilario.
The meeting provided valuable insights for defining the next steps and operating procedures. YouLead aims to strengthen the participation of young people in sports governance and to build a collaborative network between sports bodies, educational institutions, and youth groups in order to overcome the barriers that still limit the involvement of young people in decision-making processes. The goal is to promote skills, inclusion, equal opportunities, and more open and representative sports governance. This is an important first step on the path of an ambitious project full of potential.
Brussels, 17 November 2025 – Thanks to the fruitful relations that continue to exist between Panathlon International, the European and International Olympic Committees and the European Institutions, International President Giorgio Chinellato – together with District President Paul Standaert, President of EFPM and Past President of Club Wallonie-Bruxelles Philippe Housiaux and other Belgian Panathletes – was invited to the European Evening of Sport, held in Brussels on 17 November. During the evening, President Chinellato was able to present Panathlon International to IOC President Kirsty Coventry and engage in discussions with the many personalities present.
The event, hosted by the EOC EU Office at the Representation of Baden-Württemberg to the European Union, brought together over 300 leaders from the Olympic Movement, European institutions and the world of sport, with the aim of celebrating shared values and strengthening cooperation between European sport and EU institutions.
The evening was attended by, among others, IOC President Kirsty Coventry, President of the European Olympic Committees Spyros Capralos and European Commissioner for Intergenerational Equity, Youth, Culture and Sport Glenn Micallef. All 49 European Olympic Committees were invited to the meeting, dedicated to the theme “Sport is more than a Game”, to reflect on the unifying role of sport in a complex and ever-changing global context.
One of the highlights was the panel discussion ‘More Than a Game: The Role of Sports in Challenging Times’, which highlighted the impact of sport on public health, education, diplomacy and inclusion, reiterating the need for strong partnerships and coordinated policies to fully realise its potential.
The evening concluded with a tribute to the outgoing Director of the EOC EU Office, Folker Hellmund, and a lively networking session. The event reaffirmed the shared commitment of the European Union and the Olympic Movement to making sport a tool that inspires, educates and unites communities across Europe.
On the same days, the International Board also held its meeting online. After an initial update on the activities carried out by the President, the Board Members and the General Secretariat, the Board addressed a number of strategic issues. The Board reviewed the international relations established with both the European Community and the International Olympic Committee, as well as the projects currently underway.
Particular attention was paid to the review of the project “Fair Play restarts from school”, entrusted to the delegate Matteo Lazzizzera, which will be re-proposed and relaunched in the coming days. The Charter of Women in Sport, proposed by the Brazil District, was also discussed. It received unanimous approval and will be submitted to the PI Culture, Research and Education Commission for possible adoption by the entire Movement.
The proposals for amendments to PI Statutes put forward by the District Italy were then examined, pending a discussion between the District Presidents, with the hope of joint work that could lead to a shared revision to be presented at the Extraordinary Assembly.
During the meeting, the new Working Groups dedicated to training and voluntary contributions were also approved. The Treasurer reported that expenses are currently under control and fully within the parameters set at the beginning of the year; the situation regarding Club payments was also analysed. Space was also dedicated to the Ghent programme, with a presentation by Paul Standaert, President of the District Belgium, who presented the new programme to the Board, updated on the basis of recently emerging needs, and requested its approval.
The Secretary General also announced that a questionnaire prepared by Alexandros Brousiakis, a young student on an Erasmus internship at the General Secretariat, would shortly be sent to all District Presidents, Governors and Club Presidents. The initiative aims to gather useful information for the preparation of a report highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of PI, with the aim of supporting its continuous improvement.
This intense “relay” of meetings involved the International Board, the President’s Committee, the District Presidents’ Committee and the General Secretariat in numerous sessions spread over two days, confirming Panathlon International’s ongoing commitment to pursuing its institutional objectives.
The meeting of Panathlon International District Presidents, assisted by the PI President's Committee and the IB, took place online on 12 and 13 November. In an atmosphere of great collaboration, all the Presidents (A – B – BR – CH – I – F – PER – MEX – RA – U) presented their reports, offering an updated overview of the activities and prospects of their respective territories.
The meeting was also attended by out-of-District clubs interested in learning about the functioning of the Committee. Colombia, Santo Domingo and Lisbon actively participated, sharing experiences and reflections.
After a rich and constructive exchange of views, the participants expressed their congratulations on the great success of the Pan American Congress held in Chihuahua, Mexico, and worked to present the attached Final Document to the International Board. The President and the Board expressed their deep appreciation for the content that emerged, which they considered to be current, relevant and useful for guiding the future political decisions of the Panathletic movement.
During the meeting, the President also recalled the upcoming PI events: the Symposium on 12 February in Milan, organised together with several organisations recognised by the IOC on the occasion of the Milan Cortina Olympics and Paralympics, and the organisation of the International Congress Assembly and the 75th anniversary celebration of PI, to be held in Ghent (B) from 4 to 6 June 2026, hoping to meet them in person.
19 november 2025 - The Olympic Truce Resolution was adopted today by the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. The resolution calls for the observance of the Olympic Truce for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games. International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry and Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee President and IOC Member Giovanni Malagò welcomed the adoption, by consensus, in their addresses during the General Assembly.
The resolution “Building a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic ideal” was agreed on by the UN Member States by consensus.
The resolution calls on Member States to observe the Olympic Truce from seven days before the start of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games (6 to 22 February 2026) until seven days after the end of the Paralympic Winter Games (6 to 15 March 2026), ensuring safe passage and participation for athletes and officials.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry appealed for the adoption of the resolution during her address to the UN General Assembly, which was formally introduced on behalf of the Italian Government by Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee President Giovanni Malagò.
On 19 November, the international launch webinar for the initiative was held, attended by Barbara Aste on behalf of the General Secretariat, together with numerous representatives from across Europe.
It was an event full of ideas, practical information and inspiration for all clubs wishing to take part in this important project.
The European Winter Sports Week (EWWS) will take place from 1 to 8 February 2026 and will celebrate inclusive, sustainable and accessible winter sports experiences open to all.
We warmly invite all clubs to become part of the initiative!
You can organise your own snow-related event or any activity that promotes movement and physical activity, thus helping to spread the culture of winter sports.
When: 1–8 February 2026
What to do: Organise an event that promotes movement and snow sports.
How to participate:
Register your club and your event by filling in the registration form available on the official EWWS website:
https://wintersportweek.com/event-registration/
Registration deadline:
Hurry! Your event registration and membership form must be completed by 31 December at the latest.
Don't miss this opportunity to raise your club's profile at European level.
Join the EWWS 2026!
Panathlon International has granted its patronage to the report that will be presented during the World Congress of the International Society of Sport Psychology (ISSP), to be held in Hong Kong from 8 to 12 December 2025.
Dr Elisa Deponte, FIV instructor and psychoanalytic psychotherapist, will present a scientific poster dedicated to the prevention of psychological distress and the promotion of well-being in young sailors, based on the work ‘Child Psychoanalysis and Defence Mechanism Scale in a Sport Context’, developed together with Cova and Lodetti under the direction of Prof. Giovanni Lodetti, Panathlete of the Milan Club.
The research, supported by numerous sponsors including FIV, FIS, the University of Milan, Panathlon International and other sporting and scientific institutions, is part of a wider project dedicated to the psychological support of young sailing athletes.
Participation in the congress reinforces PI's commitment to promoting a youth sports culture that is attentive to mental health, in line with the principle: ‘Investing in the mental health of young athletes means investing in the future of sport.’
A hybrid meeting between the executives of Panathlon International, the Italian District and the Governors was held at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of Panathlon International in Rapallo.
The meeting focused on the proposed amendments to the PI Statute, presented by President Giorgio Costa and explained to International President Giorgio Chinellato and the PI Board Members. Positive synergy emerged on several points, while other aspects will require further discussion. The proposals will in any case be submitted to the next meeting of the District Presidents' Committee and subsequently discussed during the International Board meeting.
During the meeting, the upcoming events of Panathlon International were also discussed, starting with the Symposium on AI and Ethics on 12 February 2026 in Milan, on the occasion of the Winter Olympics, and the events scheduled in Ghent (Belgium) from 4 to 6 June 2026, which will include the International Congress, celebrations for the 75th anniversary of PI and the Ordinary and Extraordinary Assembly. There was also time for an update on the activities of the Junior Clubs, which are particularly lively and recently held a meeting in Orvieto.
The meeting ended in an atmosphere of collaboration and mutual trust, confirming the common desire to continue on the path of growth and renewal of the Association.
On 4 November 2025, the online meeting of the Culture, Research and Education Commission (CCRE) of Panathlon International was held, chaired by Antonio Bramante with the participation of International President Giorgio Chinellato and the members of the Commission.
Among the main items on the agenda were: an update on the calendar of webinars for the second half of the year, organization for PI International Congress in Ghent (June 2026) and a proposal for a webinar dedicated to the Hikikomori phenomenon, focusing on how sport can help with this issue which is becoming increasingly topical around the world. President Chinellato highlighted the importance of addressing the topic with a multidisciplinary approach, involving Italian experts and international speakers.
President Bramante presented an illustrated report, sharing the next steps of the 2025-2026 programme, which includes the webinar on 24 November and other events in preparation for the Ghent Congress. The Commission reiterated its desire to link the training program to the organization that will lead to the major international event, which is part of the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of Panathlon International.
The Webinar Series promoted by the Culture, Research, and Education Commission (CCRE) continues, dedicated to exploring best educational practices related to fair play.
The next event, entitled "Teaching fair play in schools. Challenges, opportunities, and objectives: PWB best practices," will be held on Monday, November 24, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
ZOOM platform http://bit.ly/webinarseries-pi
We look forward to seeing you there!