The Foundation meeting convened for Monday, December 1, at 6:00 p.m. (CEST) was held via videoconference on the Zoom platform. The meeting, chaired by President Giorgio Chinellato, was attended by all members of the Board of Directors and Auditors Nardon and Minchillo.
The agenda included communications from the President and Secretary, the presentation of activities carried out in 2025, and projects planned for 2026.
Looking to the near future, the Foundation confirmed its commitment in several areas: it will participate in a Panathlon International project dedicated to the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics, contribute to the Italian edition of Yves Vanden Auweele's book Joy and Pain in Sport, and evaluate meaningful ways to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its activities. The planned initiatives also include the creation of new graphic design competitions, developed with new methods and designed to actively involve all clubs through the Panathlon International districts, with the hope of greater dissemination and participation in the activities promoted by the Foundation.
The meeting ended on a constructive note and with a shared desire to make the most of the initiatives planned for the new year.
the 4th webinar organized by the PI CCRE took place on Monday, November 24.
After the opening by President Antonio Bramante, who moderated the meeting, PI President Giorgio Chinellato spoke to bring the official greetings of Panathlon International, thus starting the proceedings.
The theme of the webinar, “Teaching Fair Play in Schools: Challenges, Opportunities and Goals,” offered an interesting overview of the experience of the Panathlon Club Wallonie-Bruxelles.
The first speaker was Kole Gjeloshaj, President of the Club, who illustrated the important work carried out in the region, involving around 200 schools in the promotion of Fair Play. This was followed by Kathleen Monseu, General Coordinator of the Club, who elaborated on the various initiatives. The last speaker was François Poull, Panathlete and Head of the Physical Education Department at the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, as well as the creator of Poullball, a new inclusive sport suitable for everyone.
The International President emphasized the importance of these initiatives, which represent virtuous examples to be shared and potential models for other Clubs. He also recalled that PI is promoting the project “Fair Play starts again at school,” developed by Panathlete Prof. Lazzizzera.
Wednesday, November 26 - Panathlon International participated in the 3rd online workshop organized by IPACS-IOC, dedicated to the theme of gender equality in sport.
Dr. Alexandros Brousiakis, currently engaged in an internship at the Rapallo offices as part of a university Erasmus project, spoke on behalf of the General Secretariat.
The workshop opened with an overview of the Handbook on Governance in Sport developed by IPACS, a comprehensive guide that aims to strengthen governance standards based on transparency, accountability, and integrity, offering practical tools to support sports organizations in improving their practices. The program dedicated to promoting gender equality was also presented, aimed at increasing the participation of women in decision-making roles, ensuring equal opportunities at all levels, and fostering a more inclusive and equitable sporting environment.
Alexandros also took part in the discussion groups, emphasizing the importance of ensuring gender balance not only in representation but also in leadership positions.
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.’
