19-03- 2026 - At the General Assembly of Panathlon International Flanders on Thursday, March 19, Chairman Willy Pennoit passed the torch to Sander Renson.
Three years ago, Willy Pennoit was the co-architect of a necessary renewal following a challenging COVID-19 period. His mandate was clear: transforming local clubs into a cohesive regional organization and establishing a foundation for partnerships with clubs, federations, and the educational sector. Referencing the 2025 annual report, Pennoit highlighted the numerous initiatives that successfully met these objectives over the past year. He welcomed both new and returning members, each of whom plays a vital role—according to their unique strengths—in developing Panathlon in Flanders and, most importantly, in promoting Integrity in Sports.
A Sustainable Future
As a financially modest non-profit (vzw), Panathlon International Flanders (P.I.V.) continues to prioritize a healthy and sustainable operation. Despite limited resources, P.I.V. remains dedicated to its social mission and aims for a stable and positive financial balance in 2026. Consequently, P.I.V. is actively seeking committed partners to help amplify its values. Together, we can create more opportunities for networking, dialogue, and positive impact within the sporting world.
International Congress and the Jacques Rogge Award
Paul Standaert, District President, took the floor to present the program for the Panathlon International Congress, held in Ghent on June 4 and 5. In the coming weeks, Panathlon International will reach out to members with registration details. On the evening of Friday, June 5, the Belgian clubs will present the first-ever Panathlon Jacques Rogge Award at Ghent City Hall. Communication regarding this award will launch in April.
The New Board
Sander Renson, the newly appointed Chairman of P.I.V., thanked Willy Pennoit for his selfless dedication and commitment and welcomed the new Board of Directors:
• Mrs Lieve Van Erum, Mrs Ilse Vanhoorelbeke, Mr Bert Verbauwhede, Mr Pascal Cornelis, Mr Willy Pennoit, Mr Alex De Man, Mr Sven De Wilde and Mr Paul Standaert.
• Dirk Vandenhout will continue to serve as Treasurer, assisting the board with legal obligations. Having served for over 40 years, Dirk ensures continued excellence in financial management.
Looking Ahead: Innovation and Best Practices
Future activities were briefly outlined. P.I.V. will take a leading role in the "Poster Showcase of Best Practices from Panathlon Clubs Worldwide" at the International Congress. these insights will be captured in a digital handbook, providing a new momentum for Panathlon International’s mission: the promotion of culture and ethics in sports.
Meeting Schedule and "Declaration 2.0"
The board has established a recurring meeting schedule to allow members to plan ahead: the third Thursday of January, April, June, September, and November. The General Assembly is scheduled for March.
In 2026, work will begin on the Panathlon Declaration 2.0, tailored to the sporting landscape in Flanders. Initiated by a working group led by Ilse and Sander, the drafting process will involve partners from Sports and Education throughout the coming weeks and autumn. Sportieq (formerly ICES) will also be involved in shaping this new Declaration.
The IPACS Handbook on Sport Governance is now also available in Italian and German
Published in News from Panathlon International
The Reference Handbook and Guidelines for Sport Governance, presented at the 8th IPACS Annual General Conference in October 2025, is now also available in Italian and German.
The new versions have been published in the section on good governance within the IPACS toolkit, alongside the editions already available in English, French and Spanish.
Among the organisations that took part in the IPACS meetings was Panathlon International, which is committed to promoting ethical values in sport.
The IPACS Support Office expressed its gratitude to the Swiss Government, which contributed to the translation of the Handbook into the two new languages to facilitate its wider dissemination.
Sacile (PN) hosts the International Sitting Volleyball Tournament
Published in News from Panathlon International
On 21 and 22 March, the International Sitting Volleyball Tournament, sponsored by Panathlon International, will take place in Sacile (PN). The initiative represents an important opportunity for sporting and cultural exchange between different communities, in the spirit of the values that Panathlon International promotes and disseminates.
The tournament will feature several teams from various parts of Italy and Europe: GIS Sacile, CUS Verona, Vicenza, Brembate Sopra, Modena, Ravenna, as well as the international teams Gorica (Slovenia) and Lavia Copenhagen (Denmark).
The event aims to be a significant opportunity to promote sport as a tool for educational growth, sharing and dialogue between different cultures.
Meetings of the Executive Committee and the International Council
Published in News from Panathlon International
On 5 March and 9 March, the meeting of the Executive Committee and the first session of the International Council of Panathlon International took place respectively, focusing on the examination of various strategic and organisational issues relating to the Association’s activities.
During the meetings, the Councillors were updated on the main recent activities, including the Symposium held in the Lombardy Region, which saw a large turnout and was a great success. The developments in the CIFP and EPAS programmes were also outlined, along with updates regarding membership cards and the launch of a new collaboration (as part of a university master’s project) with Sander Renson, a Panathlete from the Club of Vlaanderen, who will support Panathlon International – at no cost to the organisation – both in the implementation of a project linked to the upcoming International Congress and in the potential preparation of future European projects.
During the meetings, the Treasurer presented the 2025 final accounts and the 2027 and 2028 budgets to the Council and the Board of Auditors, which were examined and approved, whilst also initiating a discussion on the main economic and financial aspects of international activities.
Particular attention was paid to the preparation of the General Assemblies and the 2026 Ghent Congress. Following the presentation of the preliminary programme and an initial assessment of organisational costs, the International Council resolved to contribute a share of the expenses, so as not to place the entire burden on Panathlon International’s budget. During the discussion, heartfelt thanks were expressed to Paul Standaert, who is involved in the logistical organisation of the event, and to Antonio Bramante, who, together with his Commission and the delegates involved, is working on the preparation of the Congress, with the aim of ensuring a high-quality programme and the participation of qualified speakers. The Secretariat announced that it is awaiting finalised costs in order to send out the registration form, hopefully next week.
Among the most significant institutional issues, an initial discussion was also launched on the proposed amendments to the Panathlon International Statutes and on the proposals to update the Junior Club Regulations, topics which will be explored in greater depth in the forthcoming working sessions, together with the revision of the PI Ethics Charters and the Charter of Women’s Rights in Sport (a project launched by the Brazil District), which are currently under review by the CCRE and will be presented during the Ordinary General Assembly.
Important updates were also provided regarding Erasmus+ projects. Alongside the projects already underway, YouLead and MindFit, thanks to the supervision and initiative of the Delegate for European Projects, Fabio Figueiras, nine new projects were presented, in some of which Panathlon International is the lead partner.
The Council also examined the update to the training plan and received a preliminary report from the International President on the activities planned for RelazionExpo 2026, as well as discussing various aspects of the cultural programme.
Particular attention was paid to the awarding of the PI-Flambeau d’Or Prize, which Panathlon International has decided to celebrate on 19 September, to coincide with the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the Panathlon Club Venezia, thanks to the willingness of the Club President and the working group that was promptly set up, already engaged in developing ideas and proposals for the organisation of a highly significant event.
The decision by the Chairman of the Culture, Research and Education Commission, Antonio Bramante, to appoint Matilda Tommasi, President of the Panathlon Club Trieste Muggia Junior, as a new member of the Commission was also welcomed.
With regard to organisational matters, an update was presented on the situation of the Clubs, Areas and Districts, with the positive prospect of new Clubs opening in Brazil, Ljubljana and Budapest, currently awaiting approval. Special thanks were extended to International Councillor Perin, Chair of the Expansion Committee, for this significant achievement, and to the President of the Brazil District, Pedro Souza, for the impetus he has given to the new phase of development in the country.
The examination of certain items on the agenda will continue at the next session of the International Council scheduled for 25 March, when discussions on the remaining issues will be concluded in view of Panathlon International’s upcoming institutional events.
Presentation video for the 23rd International Congress: "Panathlon International: 75 Years Inspiring Unity Through Sport”
Published in News from Panathlon International
Presentation video for the 23rd International Congress: "Panathlon International: 75 Years Inspiring Unity Through Sport” d
Global Winner of the 2025 IOC Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champions Awards
Published in News from Panathlon International
Abhijit Bhattacharya named Global Winner of the 2025 IOC Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champions Awards
Abhijit Bhattacharya, a former captain of the Indian men’s national volleyball team, has been named the Global Winner of the 2025 International Olympic Committee (IOC) Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI) Champions Award for his impactful grassroots initiatives in rural India, ensuring equal access and visibility for girls and boys in sport.
Alongside the global award, five continental winners have also been recognised:
Africa: Racheal Kundananji, Zambia
Americas: Mónica Elvira Franco Luzcando, Panama
Asia: Kim Yeon-koung OLY, South Korea
Europe: Michele Kang, France
Oceania: Robyn Cockburn, New Zealand
The Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics are about to begin
Published in News from Panathlon International
Today, 6 March 2026, is the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics, one of the most important sporting events dedicated to athletes with disabilities. The opening ceremony will be held in the historic Arena di Verona, where the show that will officially kick off the Games will begin at 8 p.m.
During the evening, the delegations of the participating countries will parade and the Paralympic flame will be symbolically lit. The show, entitled “Life in Motion”, combines music, art and entertainment to celebrate the values of sport and inclusion.
The Paralympics will take place from 6 to 15 March 2026 in various locations in northern Italy, including Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. Approximately 665 athletes from over 50 countries will participate, competing in 79 events in disciplines such as Paralympic alpine skiing, snowboarding, biathlon and para ice hockey.
This event is not only a major sporting competition, but also an important opportunity to promote inclusion, courage and determination, which are fundamental values of the Paralympic movement.
Panathlon Club Wallonie-Bruxelles - Stop Racism in Sport : "Regard inclusif sur les bonnes pratiques pour lutter contre les discriminations raciales dans le sport "
Published in News from Clubs
Le Panathlon Wallonie-Bruxelles collabore au colloque organisé les 19 et 20 mars par Stop Racism in Sport (et ses autres partenaires : les Territoires de la Mémoire et le MRAX) : « Regard inclusif sur les bonnes pratiques pour lutter contre les discriminations raciales dans le sport ».
Ce colloque se tiendra à la Cité Miroir, à Liège.
La journée du vendredi 20 mars est destinée aux acteurs et actrices du monde sportif et associatif concernés par la problématique.
L’objectif de cette journée est de valoriser les bonnes pratiques existantes, favoriser le partage d’expériences et renforcer les coopérations entre acteurs et actrices de terrain.
Cette journée proposera des présentations d’initiatives existantes en Belgique et en Europe, des échanges et des ateliers concrets visant à outiller les acteurs et actrices de terrain.
Les inscriptions sont ouvertes pour la journée du vendredi 20 mars 2026 via le lien suivant : CLIQUEZ ICI
Vous pouvez également assister à la Conférence qui aura lieu en soirée le jeudi 19 mars 2026 : ICI
3 Mai 2026 - 9ème édition Course des 2 Chapelles
Le Panathlon Club Chablais organise la 9ème édition de cette course de montagne dans les alpes valaisannes, entre Monthey et les Cerniers.
Dimanche 3 mai 2026 à partir de 8h.
Parrainé par les champions de course à pied Maude Mathys, César Costa et Florian Vieux, cet événement caritatif en soutien aux jeunes sportives et sportifs du Chablais rencontre plein de succès d'année en année. La Course des 2 Chapelles est une étape de la Coupe valaisanne de la Montagne (CVSM) et de la Fédération Valaisanne d'Athlétisme (FVA). Les parcours sont accessibles à tout le monde, tant aux spécialistes qu'aux familles. Ils se composent de routes goudronnées et de sentiers de randonnée.
Inscriptions ouvertes sur https://in.sptiming.com/c2l26
Panathlon Club Winterthur - Trampolinturnerin Zoe Tellenbach ist "Winterthurer Sportlerin des Jahres"
Published in News from Clubs
WINTERTHUR - Bei der Publikumswahl an den "Winterthurer Sport-Ehrungen" in der AXA-Arena wurde die Trampolinturnerin Zoe Tellenbach als "Winterthurer Sportlerin des Jahres" gewählt und mit dem von der Sportstiftung Winterthur offerierten Siegercheck ausgezeichnet. Nominiert für die Wahl waren auch der U 23 Mountainbike-Weltmeister Finn Treudler sowie Kugel- und Steinstösser Urs Hutmacher.
Vorgängig wurden rund 300 Einzel- und Team-SportlerInnen, die sich im letzten Jahr an nationalen oder internationalen Meisterschaften in den Medaillenrängen klassierten, geehrt und von Stadtpräsident Mike Künzle ausgezeichnet. Auch Sport-Stadträtin Martina Blum dankte in ihrer Begrüssungsrede den lokalen Sportvereinen und den vielen ehrenamtlich tätigen Trainern, Betreuern und Sportfunktionären für ihr riesiges Engagement.
In ihrer Grussadresse gratulierte auch Panathlon-Präsidentin Santi Suter den erfolgreichen Winterthurer Athletinnen und Athleten und lobte sie als Vorbilder und hervorragende Aushängeschilder der Stadt.
Enzo Chierici "Winterthurer Sportförderer des Jahres"
Der Panathlon-Club Winterthur zeichnete ausserdem den langjährige Karate-Trainer und –Funktionär Enzo Chierici als "Winterthurer Sportförderer des Jahres" aus. Den Sieger-Check für diese Auszeichnung offerierte das Migros-Kulturprozent.
Winterthurer SportlerInnen danken Mike Künzle
Mit viel herzlichem und lang anhaltendem Applaus verabschiedeten die Winterthurer SportlerInnen den abtretenden Stadtpräsidenten Mike Künzle. Ex-BMX-Weltmeister und Panathlon-Mitglied Roger Rinderknecht würdigte Künzles Verdienste für den Winterthurer Sport, seine häufige Präsenz an den verschiedensten Vereinsanlässen und seine unzähligen, anerkennenden und legendären kräftigen „Händedrücke“.
