Panathlon International was well represented at the EU Sport Forum in Krakow (10/11 April 2025), a key event for the European Sport organizations.. The forum provides a platform to address the significant changes and challenges facing the European Sport model. Stakeholders, EU institutions, and Member States come together to ensure the sustainability of sports in the EU.
A highlight of the program was the high-level panel discussion focusing on strengthening the European Sport Model through solidarity, values, and competitiveness. The panel featured distinguished speakers including MEP Zdrojewski, EU Commissioner Glenn Micallef, and Laura McAllister, Vice President of UEFA. Their insights were truly inspiring, and it was a great opportunity to engage with them on supporting these ambitious projects.
In the current socio-economic context where authoritarian nationalism leads to degrading situations, the participants and speakers agreed that the promotion of Olympic values by practising Sport together represents a necessary positive and humanistic response.
In his intervention, Ukrainian Sports Minister Matviy Bidnyi referred to special solidarity of European neighbours with top Ukrainian sports. A clear signal that sport unites.
The 2024 European Parliament elections are an opportunity for the new commissioner to sharpen the European Sports Policy. In discussion groups, EU Forum participants highlighted, among other things, the importance of continuing projects like Erasmus+ and simplifying them administratively wherever possible.
Paul Standaert represented Panathlon International and was able to meet the EU Commissioner, EU MPs, the Minisiter for Sport of Ukraine and several delegations from European countries.. Other Panathlon members were also present from their own sports organisations.
For Panathlon International, this remains an important networking moment to discuss possible cooperation. For example, Panathlon EU Brussels will collaborate with ENGSO on the occasion of the European Week of Sport in September 2025.
The next European Sports Forum in the spring of 2026 will take place in Cyprus.
Sophie Kwasny, Head of sport division EUropean Council Ukraine’s Sports Minister, Matviy Bidnyi
EU Commissioner Glenn Micallef