En el marco de los actos conmemorativos del 75.º aniversario de Panathlon International y al término del 23.º Congreso Internacional, se celebró en Gante, Bélgica, la 52.ª Asamblea General de Panathlon International.
La Asamblea constituyó un momento especialmente significativo de participación democrática y de intercambio para todo el Movimiento Panathlético. Asistieron 43 clubes, con un total de 187 votantes, en representación de 14 países: Argentina, Austria, Bélgica, Brasil, Colombia, Chile, Francia, Italia, México, Perú, Santo Domingo, Eslovenia, Suiza y Uruguay.
Durante la sesión ordinaria se presentaron los informes previstos y se abordaron los puntos del orden del día, que recibieron un amplio consenso por parte de la Asamblea. El debate confirmó el acuerdo sobre las orientaciones programáticas y el compromiso común de continuar por la senda del crecimiento, el fortalecimiento y la valorización de Panathlon International a nivel mundial.
Por la tarde se llevaron a cabo las votaciones relativas a las modificaciones estatutarias. Se trató de una fase especialmente compleja e importante, en la que los clubes participaron en nada menos que 71 votaciones. La participación atenta y responsable de los delegados permitió abordar con seriedad y espíritu constructivo un paso fundamental para la actualización y la futura estructura del Movimiento.
Panathlon International desea expresar su más sincero agradecimiento a todos los clubes presentes y representados por su participación, colaboración y contribución durante los trabajos de la Asamblea.
La Asamblea de Gante se inscribe así plenamente en el recorrido de los 75 años de Panathlon International, reafirmando el valor de la participación de los clubes y el papel central de la vida asociativa en la construcción del futuro del Movimiento.
La jornada concluyó con la cena de gala, precedida por la ceremonia de entrega del Premio de Comunicación, presentada por el responsable del premio, Giacomo Santini, durante la cual se entregaron a los tres ganadores los galardones por su trabajo.
At the end of the training activities, the second transnational project meeting (TPM) of the MindFit VR project took place, providing an important opportunity for partners to review the progress achieved so far and plan the next stages of the project.
Representing Panathlon International were Fabio Figueiras, Project Coordinator, and Debora Quercioli from the General Secretariat, who provided support for the project activities.
During the meeting, several operational issues were discussed, including the completion of the curriculum translations into the different languages, the development of the toolkit, and the planning of upcoming dissemination activities. The partners also agreed on the timeline for the next phases, reaffirming their shared commitment to the project's objectives.
The TPM followed on from an intensive international training programme held in Izmir, attended by four Panathletes: Teresa Rocha from Portugal; Ilse Vanhoorelbeke from Belgium; Rebecca Ripanti from Italy; and Tunde Stift from Hungary.
Having completed the training, they will now begin planning and implementing dissemination activities within their respective countries.
More details about the participation of Panathlon International trainers can be found here: https://www.panathlon-international.org/news/index.php/en/component/k2/item/10889-mindfit-our-trainers-in-izmir-for-international-training.
MindFit VR is therefore continuing its journey successfully, strengthening international cooperation and developing innovative tools aimed at promoting well-being and resilience through education and the use of new technologies.
Durante la Asamblea General de Panathlon International, celebrada en Gante en el marco de las celebraciones del 75.º aniversario del Movimiento, se aprobaron dos nuevas e importantes Cartas Éticas: la Carta del Respeto, propuesta por el Panathlon Club Como, y la Carta de los Derechos de las Mujeres en el Deporte, propuesta por el Distrito Brasil.
Se trata de un paso significativo en la trayectoria de Panathlon International a favor de la promoción de la ética, la cultura deportiva y la protección de los valores fundamentales del deporte.
La Carta del Respeto recuerda la importancia de comportamientos basados en la lealtad, la responsabilidad y la consideración hacia el otro, tanto dentro como fuera del contexto deportivo.
La Carta de los Derechos de las Mujeres en el Deporte, por su parte, reitera la necesidad de promover la igualdad de oportunidades, la dignidad, la participación y el reconocimiento del papel de las mujeres en todos los ámbitos de la práctica deportiva.
Con la aprobación de estos documentos, Panathlon International confirma su compromiso con la defensa de un deporte capaz de educar, incluir y contribuir al crecimiento de la persona y de la sociedad.
Carta de los Derechos de las Mujeres en el Deporte
A Assembleia Geral do Panathlon International aprova duas novas Cartas Éticas
Durante a Assembleia Geral do Panathlon International, realizada em Ghent no âmbito das comemorações do 75º aniversário do Movimento, foram aprovadas duas novas e importantes Cartas Éticas: a Carta do Respeito, proposta pelo Panathlon Club Como, e a Carta dos Direitos das Mulheres no Esporte, proposta pelo Distrito do Brasil.
Trata-se de um passo significativo na trajetória do Panathlon International em prol da promoção da ética, da cultura esportiva e da defesa dos valores fundamentais do esporte.
A Carta do Respeito reitera a importância de comportamentos baseados na lealdade, na responsabilidade e na consideração pelo próximo, dentro e fora do contexto esportivo.
A Carta dos Direitos das Mulheres no Esporte, por sua vez, reafirma a necessidade de promover a igualdade de oportunidades, a dignidade, a participação e o reconhecimento do papel das mulheres em todos os âmbitos da prática esportiva.
Com a aprovação desses documentos, o Panathlon International confirma seu compromisso em defender um esporte capaz de educar, incluir e contribuir para o crescimento da pessoa e da sociedade.
The first day of the 23rd Panathlon International Congress has opened in Ghent, dedicated to the theme “Panathlon International: 75 Years Inspiring Unity Through Sport”, with a packed programme of events and two panel discussions focusing on sports diplomacy, governance and the role of the younger generation.
In today’s world, sport no longer represents merely competition, results or medals, but is increasingly establishing itself as a tool for connection, dialogue and international cooperation. This is the strength of sports diplomacy: speaking a universal language capable of transcending borders, cultures, religions and political affiliations, creating opportunities for encounter and collaboration even where institutional dialogue faces greater difficulties.
In this context, Panathlon International reaffirms its role as a Movement committed to promoting ethics, fair play, respect and the values of sport as concrete tools for personal growth, social development and the building of bridges between peoples and nations.
The first panel brought together Antonio Bramante, Chair of the Culture, Research and Education Commission of Panathlon International, Maria Beatriz Ferreira, Vice-Chair of ICSSPE, Fahmida Faiza, an expert in sports diplomacy, and Guillermo Gonzalez Lopez, President of Panathlon Club Colombia.
The presentations highlighted Panathlon International’s contribution to sports diplomacy through the promotion of the positive values of sporting activity.
The second panel featured Fabio Figueiras, a member of Panathlon International’s CCRE, Tiago Guilherme from ENGSO Youth, Matilda Tommasi, President of Panathlon Junior Trieste Muggia and a member of Panathlon International’s CCRE, and Berber Swart, an IOC Young Leader. The discussion centred on the fundamental role of the younger generations in building a sporting world and a society increasingly oriented towards fair play, inclusion and responsibility.
The theme of fair play was further highlighted through the exhibition “Best Practices Showcase”, organised for the Congress, which brings together and presents significant initiatives promoted by Panathlon Clubs.
All the meetings took place in the presence of International President Giorgio Chinellato and Secretary General Simona Callo, together with Sander Renson, President of Panathlon Internationaal Vlaanderen.
The proceedings continue today, 5 June, with the theme “Shaping the game: Europe’s role in the future of sport”.
The programme includes presentations by Stanislas Frossard, Director of Sport at the Council of Europe, Chiel Warners, Technical Director of the Dutch Athletic Federation, and Georg Häusler, Director of DG EAC Sport, as well as two round-table discussions on integrity in sport and good governance in sport from a European perspective.
The event opens with a welcome address by Giorgio Chinellato, President of Panathlon International, followed by a speech by Stanislas Frossard, Director of Sport at the Council of Europe. Chiel Warners, Technical Director of the Dutch Athletic Federation, then takes the floor; he also participates in the first debate on integrity in sport, led by moderator Dr Cleo Schyvinck, alongside experts Guy Goudesone and Michele Colucci.
Proceedings resumed with a speech by Georg Hausler, Director of the European Commission’s DG EAC Sport, who introduced the round table on good governance in sport, moderated by Philippe Vlaemminck, with contributions from Prof. Bram Constandt, Walter De Beauvesier Watson and Sven Demeulemeester.
Fabio Figueiras spoke in his capacity as Compliance & Regulatory Manager for KPMG Switzerland, before handing over to Antonio Bramante, President of the Cultural, Scientific and Educational Commission (CREC), for the closing remarks.
The Ghent Congress thus reaffirms Panathlon International’s mission: to promote sport that educates, unites, inspires and contributes to building a fairer, more respectful and more caring society.
Below are the links to follow the proceedings of the 23rd Panathlon International Congress and the Panathlon International General Assembly, scheduled to take place in Ghent from 4 to 7 June 2026, via live streaming.
To encourage the widest possible participation, all sessions will be broadcast live on the dedicated YouTube channel.
A simultaneous interpretation service with subtitles in all languages will also be available via the Zoom platform through a single link valid for all days of the event.
The languages available will be Italian and English for the Congress sessions (4 and 5 June) and Italian, English and French for the General Assembly sessions (6 and 7 June).
LIVE STREAMING & SIMULTANEOUS TRANSLATION
Watch the live sessions on YouTube:
- 4 June 2026 – Panathlon Congress | Day 1
https://youtube.com/live/p85QRcSmQWI?feature=share
- 5 June 2026 – Panathlon Congress | Day 2
https://youtube.com/live/QyFAKiySG2Y?feature=share
- 6 June 2026 – Panathlon General Assembly | Day 1
https://youtube.com/live/RhtdrrGmYF0?feature=share
- 7 June 2026 – Panathlon General Assembly | Day 2
https://youtube.com/live/RhtdrrGmYF0?feature=share
Simultaneous Translation (all days)
Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89614450445?pwd=hCheVYMpdi3jettnCdphH4Cshj8ZVV.1
ID Riunione: 896 1445 0445 - Passcode: 01856
An online preparatory meeting was held on 28 May with the Panathlon International trainers who will take part in the MindFit VR International Training Course, scheduled to take place in İzmir, Türkiye, from 8 to 12 June 2026.
The meeting, chaired by Fábio Figueiras, aimed to introduce participants to the MindFit VR – Immersive Sports for Mental Well-being project, an Erasmus+ Sport initiative combining sport, mental well-being and digital innovation, and to share the main information regarding the training programme, logistical arrangements and planned activities.
The four Panathlon International trainers who will attend the training course are Teresa Rocha, Ilse Vanhoorelbeke, Rebecca Ripanti and Tunde Stift.
During the course, participants will explore the use of Virtual Reality and hybrid sport approaches as educational tools to promote emotional resilience, mental well-being awareness and new methodologies for working with young people. The training will follow an experiential and participatory approach, combining exchanges, practical activities, group work and shared reflection.
After the training, the trainers will contribute to the next implementation phase of the project, bringing the acquired skills back to their local contexts and supporting the development of activities dedicated to mental well-being through sport and digital innovation.
From 4 to 7 June 2026, Ghent will become the heart of Panathlon International, hosting a series of events of great significance for the Movement: the 23rd International Congress, the 52nd Ordinary General Assembly, the Extraordinary General Assembly and the celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of Panathlon International.
The title chosen for the Congress, “Panathlon International: 75 Years Inspiring Unity Through Sport”, encapsulates the profound significance of this important moment for the organisation: celebrating a 75-year history, founded on the principles of sporting ethics, fair play and sporting culture, whilst at the same time looking to the challenges of the future with responsibility and vision.
The days in Ghent will provide a valuable opportunity for clubs, districts, regions and representatives of Panathlon International from various countries to meet, exchange views and participate. The Congress will offer a space for reflection on the role of Panathlon today, on its ability to promote unity through sport and on the importance of continuing to spread, especially amongst the younger generations, the values that have always guided its actions.
Alongside the congress and assembly proceedings, the programme includes institutional and celebratory events of particular significance, including the Jacques Rogge Award ceremony at Ghent Town Hall and the Gala Dinner for the 75th anniversary of Panathlon International, during which the Communication Award will also be presented.
Four days to celebrate a history, strengthen an international community and build Panathlon’s path towards the future together.
El Comité de Presidencia de Panathlon International se reunió en línea el 26 de mayo de 2026, a partir de las 12:00 horas, para abordar numerosos temas institucionales, culturales y organizativos de cara a los próximos eventos internacionales.
Al inicio de la sesión se aprobó el acta de la anterior reunión del Comité de Presidencia, celebrada el 5 de marzo de 2026. A continuación, se dio paso a las comunicaciones del Presidente y del Secretario General, quienes informaron a los participantes sobre las principales actividades en curso.
Entre los puntos centrales de la sesión, se prestó especial atención a las modalidades de votación de las Asambleas Generales de Gante 2026 y a la definición de la Comisión de verificación de poderes para la Asamblea General en la ciudad belga.
El Comité abordó además el tema de las cartas éticas, que se presentarán en la Asamblea, confirmando el compromiso de Panathlon International con la promoción de los valores del deporte y la responsabilidad social.
Durante la reunión también se debatió sobre la concesión de patrocinios y sobre el fenómeno de los hikikomori, un tema de creciente relevancia social que afecta también al mundo juvenil y deportivo.
Se presentó asimismo una importante actualización sobre el Panathlon Club Santo Domingo y los Juegos del Caribe, lo que demuestra la continua atención de la asociación hacia las actividades internacionales y la difusión de los valores panathléticos.
En cuanto a la actividad cultural, el Comité examinó el programa de eventos previstos en Gante 2026 y las iniciativas relacionadas con el Flambeau d’Or, reconocimiento histórico de Panathlon International.
En la parte final de la reunión se abordaron los aspectos organizativos relativos a las próximas actividades y se comunicó además que se está constituyendo un nuevo Club en Croacia, una señal más del crecimiento internacional de Panathlon International.
La reunión confirmó el firme compromiso de Panathlon International de reforzar su presencia internacional, promover los valores éticos del deporte y apoyar proyectos culturales y sociales de gran alcance.
Invitación del presidente internacional Giorgio Chinellato al XXIII Congreso Internacional del P.I. en Gdansk, 4-5 de junio de 2026
Brussels – 19 May
Brussels experienced a moment that was both symbolic, festive and rich in universal values. On the occasion of the United Nations Resolution proclaiming 19 May as World Fair Play Day, Manneken Pis, the most famous citizen of Brussels and an emblematic ambassador of folklore, carried out a unique and symbolic ratification of this international day.
Following this meaningful act, he also signed the Fair Play Manifesto, committing to actively promote these essential values. True to this commitment, he wore his special “World Fair Play Day” costume, conveying with humor and simplicity a universal message: Fair Play extends far beyond sport and becomes a value of respect, fairness and solidarity — truly everyone’s business.
“For once… I’m not just letting the water flow, but also common sense! Fair Play is like me: simple, sincere and for everyone. On this 19 May, I invite you all to play fair — with a smile, with respect… and a touch of Brussels spirit!”
A Brussels symbol serving a global message
Through this symbolic act, Brussels reaffirms its role as a capital of human values, where folklore becomes the messenger of a universal commitment.
Supported by the International Fair Play Committee (IFPC), Panathlon International and the European Fair Play Movement (EFPM) — initiators and custodians of the spirit of the Resolution — this initiative helps spread the message of Fair Play to the general public and the international community.
International voices highlight the importance of Fair Play
The President of the International Fair Play Committee (CIFP) Sunil Sabharwal stated:
“Securing May 19 as a UN-endorsed "World Fair Play Day" is a major milestone, but our mandate stretches far beyond a single day of celebration. Fair Play cannot be a calendar event; it must be an unwavering, daily standard practiced on every field and in every facet of life. As the sporting world faces evolving ethical challenges, we at CIFP are actively stepping up to drive this culture change and ensure that integrity remains a living reality every single day."
The President of Panathlon International (PI) Giorgio Chinellato emphasized:
“Education in values must become a constant, both in sports clubs and in schools. By continuously transmitting these principles, we build a more just and respectful society.”
The President of the European Fair Play Movement (EFPM) Philippe Housiaux added:
“The initiative launched as early as 2013 by Panathlon Wallonie-Bruxelles, which I had the honor to chair at the time, has now gained global dimension. It brings together a community of more than two billion sports practitioners around the values of Fair Play.”
World Fair Play Day promotes fundamental values such as respect, integrity and solidarity, both in sport and in society as a whole.
Pictured: Philippe Housiaux, President of the European Fair Play Movement (EFPM); Sunil Sabharwal, President of the International Fair Play Committee (CIFP); and Giorgio Chinellato, International President of Panathlon International.