Rapallo, 6 May 2026 – The General Secretariat of Panathlon International, at Villa Queirolo in Rapallo, was delighted to welcome a delegation from the Switzerland and Principality of Liechtenstein District, led by President Peter Wüthrich.
The guests were welcomed by International President Giorgio Chinellato, First Vice-President of Panathlon International Stefano Giulieri, Secretary General Simona Callo and the staff of the General Secretariat.
The Swiss delegation comprised, in addition to President Wüthrich, Hansjörg Wyss, Vice-President of the CH-FL District, Ivan Degliesposti, President of the Panathlon Club Lugano, and Sandra Wiedmer and Philippe Cottet, members of the CH-FL District Council.
The visit provided an important opportunity to get to know the Panathlon International headquarters at close quarters, to gain a deeper understanding of the tasks and activities carried out daily by the General Secretariat, and to share the Movement’s international activities. Attention was paid to the topics of communication, the dissemination of projects, and training to support the Clubs.
Following the official meeting, after a toast at the headquarters, a convivial dinner was held at the Rapallo Golf Club, organised by the President of the Panathlon Club Chiavari-Tigullio, Fabrizio Pagliettini. The evening was also attended by Giorgio Costa, President of District Italy; Germano Tabaroni, Governor of Area 5 Liguria; Adelindo Molinari, President of the Panathlon Club Rapallo-Tigullio Occidentale; along with several members of the Club.
The meeting took place in an atmosphere of great cordiality and friendship, confirming the spirit of sharing that unites Panathletes and offering a valuable opportunity to further strengthen the ties between the Italy District and the District Switzerland and Principality of Liechtenstein.
A significant moment of dialogue and institutional solidarity, with eyes already turned towards the next joint event: the international events in Ghent.
The International Board of Panathlon International met online on 30 April, from 2.00 pm to 6.30 pm, to examine and deliberate on a number of issues of importance to the life of the association and the Movement’s upcoming institutional events.
At the start of the meeting, the Board observed a minute’s silence in memory of Giorgio Piazza, President of the Panathlon Club La Malpensa, and Alfonso Geoffrey Recorder Rental, President of the Mexico City Club, who had recently passed away, recalling their commitment and dedication to Panathlon values.
The Board also examined the International Board’s Activity Report and the General Secretariat’s Organisational Report, approving their contents. After deliberating on the proposal to maintain current membership fees to be submitted to the Assembly, the IB gave its approval for the dispatch of the notice convening the Ordinary Assembly, scheduled to take place in person on 6 June in Ghent, complete with all attached documentation.
During the meeting, attention was also given to the Ethical Charters and the Junior Clubs Regulations, documents which will be sent to the Clubs as soon as possible in view of their presentation to the Assembly. Participation in the Caribbean Games was also discussed, as a further opportunity to raise the Movement’s profile on the international stage.
The meeting then continued with a review of the items on the agenda. Particular attention was paid to an update on the tasks and upcoming commitments related to the Erasmus+ projects, which will involve Panathletes and staff from the General Secretariat in important international activities, particularly in Izmir, Turkey, and in Montenegro.
Subsequently, the Board analyzed Paul Standaert’s report on his participation in the EU Sport Forum, also focusing on the project dedicated to the issue of Hikikomori and on the granting of certain patronages. During the meeting, it was also announced that the President of the Switzerland and Principality of Liechtenstein District would visit the General Secretariat in Rapallo on 6 May, accompanied by a delegation, marking a significant moment of institutional engagement and solidarity.
Finally, considerable attention was given to the organisation of the forthcoming General Assembly and the events scheduled in Ghent, as well as to the preparation of the Flambeau d’Or Award and the Communication Award, significant events that confirm Panathlon International’s commitment to promoting ethics, sporting culture and communication in the service of the Movement’s values.
The meeting concluded following a fruitful discussion, which enabled the group to address numerous strategic issues and prospects for the future.
President Giorgio Chinellato and Panathlon International remember Alex Zanardi: a friend, a great man and an exemplary athlete.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family.
There was great enthusiasm and an extraordinary turnout for the Panathlon Clubs Projects Showcase: a total of 43 projects were presented by clubs from all over the world, providing concrete evidence of the vitality, passion and spirit of service that drive Panathlon International.
The initiative, conceived as a genuine showcase of Panathlon values – rather than a competition – exceeded all expectations, making it necessary to expand the exhibition space. This result highlights the quality and variety of the projects implemented to benefit local communities.
During the meeting on Friday 24 April, the Commission responsible for the project defined the next operational steps, launching the project analysis phase, organised by geographical area, which will lead to the final exhibition scheduled for June.
A warm and sincere thank you to all the participating Clubs: with their enthusiasm, dedication and commitment, they are making a decisive contribution to making this initiative one of the most significant moments in the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of Panathlon International.
The winners of the Henrique Nicolini Communication Award 2024/2025 have been officially announced, following the evaluation of the entries received by the General Secretariat within the deadlines set out in the Regulations.
The selection process was carried out by the Examination Committee, comprising Giacomo Santini (Head of the Communication Award), Luigi Innocenzi (Vice-President), Carlos De Leon (International Councillor), Andrea Sbardellati (member of the CRC) and Filippo Grassia (Head of Communication), which identified the most deserving projects in the three competition categories.
In the Print and Print Media category, the award went to Florence (Italy). In the Internet/Social Media category, the award went to Buenos Aires (Argentina), whilst in the TV and Radio category, the award was given to Wallonie-Brussels (Belgium).
The selected projects stood out for their quality, communicative effectiveness and ability to interpret the values of the Award, offering concrete examples of modern, incisive communication capable of generating impact.
Congratulations to the participating Clubs for their excellent work and for their contribution to the promotion of an increasingly effective and innovative culture of communication.
The awards ceremony will take place in Ghent on Saturday 6 June 2026, at the start of the Gala Dinner, and will provide an opportunity for people to come together and share in celebrating the achievements and the value of the best practices in the field of communication.
9 April 2026 - Panathlon International is preparing for a moment of great significance: the 23rd International Congress, to be held in Ghent (Belgium) from 4 to 7 June 2026, marking the 75th anniversary of the Association’s commitment to promoting ethics and values in sport.
The recent webinar offered a comprehensive preview of the Congress, highlighting its vision and structure. The event brought together representatives from all over the world, reinforcing Panathlon’s international dimension and its role within the Olympic Movement and the European institutional context.
The programme was designed to combine tradition and innovation.
The first day was dedicated to sports diplomacy, youth engagement and governance, exploring the role of sport as a tool for dialogue, inclusion and cooperation between cultures.
Particular attention was paid to young people, not only as participants but as future ambassadors of sporting values.
The second day addressed key issues such as integrity and good governance in sport, with contributions from international institutions, the academic world and industry experts. This reflects Panathlon International’s growing commitment to the global debate on transparency, ethics and accountability in sport.
Alongside the Congress, the Best Practices Exhibition was also launched, inviting Clubs and Districts to present their projects and their impact on the local community. The contributions gathered will be compiled into a digital handbook, creating a shared repository of experiences and best practices.
The Ghent Congress represents not only a celebration of 75 years of history, but above all a strategic opportunity to look to the future, strengthen international cooperation and reaffirm Panathlon International’s mission: to promote sport as a tool for education, ethics and social development.
Monday, April 13, a coordination meeting took place between the Project Coordinator, Panathlon International, and the University of Montenegro, which, Work Package (WP) Leader, is organising the next Transnational Project Meeting (TPM), to be held in Podgorica in June. The meeting focused on logistical arrangements, organisational planning, and key coordination aspects among partners.
The official agenda will be shared shortly with all consortium partners.
The YOULEAD Project is a 30-month initiative funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ Programme. Coordinated by Panathlon International, the project aims to promote more inclusive, democratic, and gender-balanced leadership structures in sport organisations by empowering young people and strengthening their participation in governance and decision-making processes at local, national, and European levels.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced a new Policy on the Protection of the Female (Women’s) Category in Olympic Sport and Guiding Considerations for International Federations and Sports Governing Bodies.
Following today’s approval of the policy by the IOC Executive Board, it will apply for the LA28 Olympic Games onwards, and is not retroactive.
Yesterday evening, 30 March at 8.00 pm CET, an information session dedicated to the Poster Showcase project took place, attended by no fewer than 23 participants.
The event was characterised by a positive atmosphere and the genuine interest shown by the clubs present, who asked targeted and constructive questions. In particular, attention focused on the procedures for submitting projects – confirming that projects from previous years are also eligible, provided they have already been completed – and on how to prepare the presentation materials.
The valuable work of the working group, coordinated by CRE President Antonio Bramante, in support of the initiative was also highlighted.
It was clarified that the poster will be produced directly by the Secretariat, with the invaluable support of Club Vlaanderen, thus relieving participants of this organisational burden.
A well-attended and energetic meeting, which once again confirms the desire to collaborate and share valuable experiences within our network. Next meeting in two weeks’ time: keep following us for all the updates!