KLAGENFURT – The President of Panathlon International, Giorgio Chinellato, spoke at the conclusion of the promoters’ contributions during the official presentation of the AlpeAdriaSport Network, the programme approved by the International Council and presented today in Klagenfurt.
The meeting was opened by the President of District Austria, Michael Ausserwinkler, and by the President of Panathlon Club Kärnten – Alpe Adria, Roland Peters, who introduced the general framework of the project and welcomed the representatives of the countries involved.
The promoters of the initiative then took the floor – Paolo Perin, Andrea Ceccotti, Milan Cupic, Giuseppe Falco, Miran Müllner and Stefano Ripanti – present either in person or through official messages. In their contributions they illustrated, motivated and supported the programme, highlighting the cooperation between Austria, Croatia, Italy and Slovenia for the growth and dissemination of Panathlon values through joint initiatives.
After the promoters’ interventions, Giorgio Chinellato delivered his concluding remarks, underlining the strategic value of the AlpeAdriaSport Network and the importance of cross border cooperation in strengthening the mission of Panathlon. Below is the text of his speech.
"Dear friends,
I am particularly delighted to be with you here in Klagenfurt for this International Sitting Volleyball Tournament, which represents not only a significant sporting event but also the first concrete step in the Alpe Adria Sport project.
Having listened to the speeches by International Board Member Paolo Perin and the representatives from Croatia, Slovenia and Austria, as well as the Governors of Alto Friuli and Emilia-Romagna–Marche, who have wholeheartedly supported and guided this initiative, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to them all. Special thanks go to our Austrian friends for hosting this event.
This initiative demonstrates how collaboration, synergy and the willingness to work together can give rise to a new and innovative network linking clubs, regions and different countries, under the auspices of Panathlon International.
I am therefore delighted to welcome this new initiative, which fits perfectly within the vision of our Movement: to promote integration, dialogue, shared projects and joint actions, in line with the values of the Olympic family.
The first activity was held today: the International Sitting Volleyball Tournament, but many other initiatives are in the pipeline. Among these, I would like to highlight the project linked to caregiving, which has the potential to become a travelling initiative across Europe, bringing the values of Paralympic sport, inclusion and support for people with disabilities to different regions.
Alpe Adria Sport has therefore got off to a very promising start. On behalf of myself and the whole of Panathlon International, I would like to thank those who had this brilliant idea and those who worked to make it a reality. Special thanks go to Paolo Perin, who believed in this project from the very beginning and has pursued it with passion and determination.
Let us therefore continue along this path, together, in the Panathletic spirit, to develop new joint projects and, through sport, strengthen the bonds of friendship, inclusion and collaboration between our countries.
Thank you to everyone, and ad majora!"
The presentation took place at the end of two intense days of activities, during which congratulations were extended to the President of District Austria, Michael Ausserwinkler, for the exceptional organisation of the tournament. He received acknowledgements from Andrea Ceccotti, Governor of Area 12, for the quality of the organisation, and from the President of the Expansion Commission of Panathlon International, Paolo Perin, as appreciation for the contribution he is giving to the spread of the Panathletic movement.
With the delivery of the programmatic and constitutive document of this open network, the presentation of the Panathlon – AlpeAdriaSport Network initiative came to a close. It is a project that places collaboration at its core and promotes the dissemination of Panathletic values through the strength of its international dimension and through shared initiatives across the territories of the Alpe Adria region.
Venice, 19 September 2026 – During the evocative Flambeau d’Or ceremony, held at the Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista to mark Panathlon’s 75th anniversary, the International Council wished to present International President Giorgio Chinellato with a particularly meaningful surprise, conferring upon him the prestigious Domenico Chiesa Award.
The award was presented on behalf of the International Council as a token of esteem and gratitude for his dedicated efforts in promoting the values of Panathlon and sport, ethics, fair play and friendship between individuals and nations.
It was an unexpected, moving and symbolic moment, taking place in Venice itself – the city where the first Panathlon Club was founded in 1951 and which, 75 years on, has once again welcomed the Panathlon Movement to celebrate its history and look to the future.
It was an honour that President Chinellato received with great emotion, sharing it in spirit with the entire International Council and the whole Panathletic family.
“Ludis iungit” – united by sport and for sport – is Panathlon’s motto and encapsulates a history that began on 12 June 1951 in Venice, before spreading, within a few years, throughout Italy and across the world.
On Saturday 19 September, Panathlon International returned to the city of its origins to celebrate its 75th anniversary alongside that of the Panathlon Club Venezia, the Movement’s founding club. In the prestigious setting of the Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista, around 300 participants, alongside representatives from institutions and the worlds of sport and culture, came together for a day dedicated to the values that have always inspired Panathlon’s work: ethics, fair play, inclusion, respect for the individual and social responsibility.
The highlight of the celebrations was the presentation of the ‘Flambeau d’Or – in memory of Antonio Spallino’, Panathlon International’s highest honour. Awarded every four years, the prize pays tribute to individuals who, through their sporting and personal journeys, have embodied values that go far beyond competitive results.
The award was presented to two leading figures in international sport: Francesca Porcellato and Bashir Abdi, athletes with vastly different backgrounds, yet united by extraordinary determination and the ability to use sport as a tool for personal growth, inclusion and inspiration.
Francesca Porcellato, one of the most prominent figures in Italian Paralympic sport, has built an exceptional career at the very highest level in athletics, Nordic skiing and handcycling. Having competed in twelve Paralympic Games, right up to Paris 2024, her journey stands as an extraordinary testament to perseverance, the ability to reinvent oneself and a willingness to constantly take on new challenges.
Bashir Abdi, a Belgian athlete of Somali origin and one of the leading figures in world marathon running, won Olympic bronze at Tokyo 2020 and silver at Paris 2024, as well as bronze at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene. His competitive career is complemented by a significant commitment to social causes: having arrived in Belgium as a child after leaving Somalia, through Sportaround – the association he founded – he promotes sport as a tool for inclusion and personal development for children and young people.
The Flambeau d’Or ceremony was moderated by journalist Luca Ginetto, former President of the Panathlon Club Venezia, who interviewed the two award winners in a conversation that went beyond sporting achievements, giving them the opportunity to share the experiences, challenges and values that have shaped their journeys.
This gave rise to an intense and authentic dialogue, which brought to the fore the human side of Francesca Porcellato and Bashir Abdi and the deeper meaning of their experiences. Their testimonies thus turned the award ceremony into a moment of reflection on the educational power of sport and the value of setting an example, particularly for the younger generations, who are called upon to recognise sport not only as a competitive challenge but also as a school of life, commitment and responsibility.
The day was further enriched by contributions from Professor Andrea Rinaldo, winner of the 2023 Stockholm Water Prize and a former international rugby player, and Professor Mattia Losi, who explored the relationship between sport, ethics, culture and civic responsibility, with the session coordinated by Roberto Papetti, Editorial Director of Il Gazzettino.
Seventy-five years after that first meeting in Venice in 1951, Panathlon’s return to the city where it all began has taken on a significance that goes beyond the celebration of an anniversary. It was an opportunity to reaffirm a vision of sport founded on excellence, respect, friendship, inclusion and the education of the younger generations – principles that bring Panathlon International’s work very much in line with the ideals of the Olympic Movement.
"Ludis iungit" continues, after 75 years, to represent not just a motto, but a commitment: to unite through sport and to turn sport into a tool for building a better society.
19th of September 2026 - 75° Ceremony - Flambeau D'Or Panathlon International
A great day in Venice to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Panathlon Club Venezia and Panathlon International, in the prestigious setting of the Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista, attended by around 300 participants.
The contributions of the two distinguished speakers, Prof. Andrea Rinaldo and Prof. Mattia Losi, were particularly engaging and of the highest calibre, following an insightful and compelling introduction by Dr. Roberto Papetti, Editorial Director of Il Gazzettino.
The central moment of the ceremony was the presentation of the Award “Flambeau d’Or – in memory of Antonio Spallino” introduced by Luca Ginetto, President of Panathlon Club Perugia and former President of Panathlon Club Venezia. Mr. Ginetto also conducted a brief interview with the two award recipients, Francesca Porcellato and Bashir Abdi, with valuable translation support from Matilda Tommasi, President of Panathlon Club Trieste Junior.
A particularly meaningful recognition, featuring a Flambeau d’Or crafted by a master glassmaker, highlighting the strong connection between the event and Venice’s artistic and artisan traditions.
An intense and well-attended morning, celebrating sport, culture, and the values that have united Panathlon for 75 years.
On 17 September 2026, the Steering Committee of the YOULEAD project held its 4th Meeting online, coordinated by Panathlon International.
Project partners came together to review progress, align on upcoming activities and discuss the next steps in advancing the project’s objectives.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to strengthen coordination ahead of the next Transnational Project Meeting, scheduled for January 2027 in Seville, Spain.
Another step forward in our shared commitment to empowering young people and promoting more inclusive and participatory sport governance!
Together for stronger youth participation in sport governance!
#YOULEAD #PanathlonInternational #YouthLeadership #SportGovernance #ErasmusPlus
On 17 September, Simona Callo, Secretary General of Panathlon International, Fabio Figueiras, Erasmus+ Project Coordinator for Panathlon International, Monica Rossi and Debora Quercioli took part in an online meeting within the Erasmus+ Programme, together with around 50 participants from different European countries.
The meeting, featuring training sessions delivered by ENACEA speakers, focused on learning and Erasmus+ project management, with particular attention to the main procedures, operational and administrative aspects, and the different stages involved in implementing and monitoring European projects.
A valuable opportunity for training, exchange and sharing experiences and good practices, helping participants gain a deeper understanding of Erasmus+ procedures and new tools for the effective management of European projects
On Saturday, September 19, in the prestigious setting of the Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista in Venice, the “Flambeau d’Or – in memory of Antonio Spallino”, the highest honour bestowed by Panathlon International, will be presented.
The ceremony is part of the celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of both Panathlon Club Venezia and Panathlon International, and will feature two outstanding figures of international sport:
Francesca Porcellato, an icon of Italian Paralympic sport, who has reached the highest levels of international competition in three disciplines — athletics, cross-country skiing and handcycling — throughout an extraordinary career;
Bashir Abdi, the Belgian long-distance runner of Somali origin and a leading figure in the world of marathon running, an example of sporting excellence, fair play and social commitment.
Two different stories, united by the values that the Flambeau d’Or seeks to celebrate: talent, perseverance, respect, and the ability to turn sport into an example for others.
The ceremony will be streamed live from 10:00 a.m.:
Link https://youtube.com/live/vkCdmb8u4VQ?feature=share
A discussion in Brussels on young people’s mental health and social isolation. President Giorgio Chinellato: “Sporting culture can offer practical tools to tackle an increasingly widespread phenomenon.”
BRUSSELS, 9 September 2026 – Bringing the educational and social value of sport into the European debate on the ‘Hikikomori’ phenomenon and the isolation of the younger generations. With this aim in mind, Panathlon International took part in the round-table discussion at the European Parliament in Brussels entitled “Hikikomori: European perspectives on measures to prevent the phenomenon and Italian best practices”, organised and hosted by MEP Mariateresa Vivaldini.
Panathlon International was represented by International President Giorgio Chinellato and International Board Member Fabiano Gino Maria Gerevini, who heads the international working group on Hikikomori syndrome.
Also taking part in the discussion were Giovanni Lodetti, a lecturer at the University of Milan, a clinical sports psychologist and President of the International Association of Sports Psychology and Psychoanalysis; Federica Perolini, a psychologist and sports psychologist; Emanuela Schiavini, CRA nursing coordinator at the Department of Mental Health of the ASST in Crema; and Stefania Lando, an educationalist and university lecturer. The meeting also featured a testimony from a father via video link, providing a direct perspective from the families affected.
At the heart of the round-table discussion was the need to develop preventative measures and programmes capable of combating social isolation, with a particular focus on young people. In this context, Panathlon International reaffirmed the role that sport can play as a tool for education, social connection and inclusion, fostering participation, a sense of belonging and self-confidence.
‘What we are discussing today is an increasingly widespread condition, particularly in the wake of Covid. We are convinced that by promoting a sporting culture, we can acquire the right tools to tackle this phenomenon,” said President Giorgio Chinellato.
MEP Mariateresa Vivaldini also emphasised the importance of addressing the issue of young people’s mental health not only in terms of treatment, but also through prevention and the promotion of active citizenship, highlighting the contribution that organisations such as Panathlon International can make through the values of sport.
Participation in the Brussels meeting represents a further step in Panathlon International’s commitment to bringing sporting culture into the European institutional debate, promoting a conception of sport that goes beyond competitive practice and becomes a tool for personal and community development.
VENICE, 15 September – An event dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Panathlon Club Venezia and Panathlon International was presented at Venice City Hall. This anniversary holds great symbolic significance for the Panathlon movement, which has its roots right here in the Lagoon.
Panathlon International and the Panathlon Club Venezia were welcomed by the city council in the presence of the mayor, Simone Venturini, at the press conference to present the Flambeau d’Or and the celebrations marking Panathlon’s 75th anniversary.
During the meeting, heartfelt thanks were extended to the city council and the mayor for their hospitality and support for the initiatives linked to this important anniversary.
The highlight of the celebrations is scheduled for Saturday 19 September at the Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista, where the official ceremony marking the 75th anniversary will take place, along with the presentation of the “Flambeau d’Or – in memory of Antonio Spallino”, an award which this year will be presented to two leading figures in international sport: Francesca Porcellato and Bashir Abdi, Olympic silver medallist in the marathon at the Paris 2024 Games.
The ceremony will thus represent not only a moment of celebration for Panathlon, but also an opportunity to pay tribute to two athletes who have left their mark on the history of international sport.
We look forward to welcoming you to Venice to experience this special moment together: for those unable to attend in person, a live stream of the ceremony will also be available
Cover photo: from left: Giuseppe Zambon, Councillor for the Italy District; Giorgio Chinellato, International President of PI; Simone Venturini, Mayor of the City of Venice; Gian Antonio Simoni Gaudenzi, President of Panathlon Club Venice; Diego Vecchiato, Past President of Panathlon Club Venice
