Panathlon International

On Sunday, 26 October, starting at 2 p.m., Panathlon International will be present at RelazionExpo to talk about how sport can be a real tool for growth, inclusion and social responsibility.

The meeting will be an opportunity to share ideas, experiences and concrete projects through the voices of our journalist members and experts, as well as partners involved in the fields of sport, culture and sustainability.

It will be a moment of dialogue and discussion to reflect on the values that make sport a true school of life: capable of uniting people and communities, inspiring respect, passion and commitment to the common good.

FREE ENTRY

Registration required at: https://www.relazionexpo.com/ 

RelazionExpo2015_Depliant_PI

15-19 October 2025 - The 16th Pan American Congress of Panathlon International has begun in Chihuahua, Mexico, with the central theme ‘La Importancia del Deporte en la Niñez’ (The Importance of Sport in Childhood).

The Congress was opened by the President of the Mexico District, Socorro Samaniego, and the President of the Delicias Club, Armida Guadalupe Sonia Meraz.

During the opening ceremony, the Secretary General of Pi, Simona Callo, presented the report on the work of the Secretariat, followed by the report of the International President, Giorgio Chinellato, on the activities of Panathlon International.

Acuerdo de colaboración entre Panathlon Distrito Argentina y la Comisión Cultural de la Asociación del Fútbol Argentino (AFA)

Una gran oportunidad para marcar la diferencia, transmitiendo los valores panatleticos a un deporte tan importante como el fútbol, del que conocemos la importancia para muchos jóvenes y adultos en Argentina.

En la foto: el presidente de la AFA, Walter Zalcman; Jorge Minuto, presidente del Distrito, y Eva Szabo, presidenta del Panathlon Club Buenos Aires, mientras firman el acuerdo.

El Concurso de Creación Literaria Inspirada en Valores Deportivos es una iniciativa educativa y cultural que busca sensibilizar a los  participantes y a la comunidad en general sobre la importancia de la práctica de valores deportivos a través de la escritura creativa. Invitamos a todos los colegios a participar y a motivar a sus estudiantes a convertirse en escritores de historias que reflejen el compromiso y la pasión por el juego limpio (fair play).

Juntos, a través de la literatura, podemos inspirar un cambio positivo y duradero en nuestra sociedad.

During the webinar “The Importance of Referees in Sport”, organized on October 9 by the Culture, Research and Education Commission of Panathlon International, chaired by Antonio Bramante, a clear message emerged: referees are not only guardians of the rules, but also custodians of sporting ethics and role models of integrity.

Gwenda Stevens, President of the International Federation for Sports Officials (IFSO), presented the objectives of the Federation, while Professor Paul Wylleman highlighted the psychological and social challenges faced by sport officials — performance pressure, verbal abuse, isolation, and job insecurity. Addressing these issues requires specific mental skills – from stress management to self-confidence – and a holistic support approach that includes physical, psychological, social, and professional dimensions.

From the contribute of Belgium District President Paul Standaert and the introductory message by Panathlon International President Giorgio Chinellato, it emerged that Panathlon International promotes a culture of respect based on education, awareness, and recognition. Its initiatives aim to raise awareness among coaches, parents, and players, to introduce codes of conduct, and to enhance the value of referees through campaigns and training programs.

The final message is powerful:

Respect for referees is the foundation of fair play.

Only through education, empathy, and support can we ensure that those who uphold the rules are themselves respected.

The 10th anniversary of the European Week of Sport (EWOS) was launched in style on 23–24 September 2025 in Copenhagen, gathering leaders, athletes, NGOs, and grassroots organizations under the banner of #BeActive.

A symbolic opening

The celebrations began at GAME Streetmekka Copenhagen, a venue renowned for its focus on youth and urban sports. Denmark’s King Frederik X, European Commissioner Glenn Micallef, and Minister for Culture Jakob Engel-Schmidt jointly opened the Week. They were joined by hundreds of participants, marking ten years of EWOS with sport workshops including a “10 shots” basketball challenge and a vibrant energizer led by GAME volunteers.

Commissioner Micallef underlined the journey of EWOS from its launch in 2015 to today’s reach of over 100 million people in 42 countries, urging Europeans to “scroll less and move more.” The opening also welcomed new EWOS partners, including the European Fair Play Movement, highlighting the growing relevance of ethics and integrity — themes at the core of Panathlon International.

From movement to wellbeing

The following day the European Week of Sport’s 10th-anniversary celebrations continued with a high-level conference at the Royal Danish Playhouse. The focus: how sport and physical activity can address some of Europe’s most pressing societal challenges.

Following words of welcome by Denmark’s Minister for Culture Jakob Engel-Schmidt and Georg Haeusler, Director for Culture, Creativity and Sport at the European Commission, the conference explored the theme of physical literacy as a social innovation tool. Speakers stressed the importance of equipping citizens — especially youth — with lifelong movement skills, to combat sedentary behavior and support healthier lifestyles.

Tom Englén (Change the Game) framed physical literacy as a lifelong skill for active citizenship, while the Danish Gymnastics sports organization experts presented practical approaches in schools and communities. Professor Stuart Biddle addressed the risks of sedentary lifestyles and screen use, stressing the urgency of systemic action. Digital innovation was showcased by Jakub Kalinowski (V4Sport) through the Active Sister Schools initiative.

The afternoon panel spotlighted projects tackling mental wellbeing through sport:

Mind Body Boost (Trinity College Dublin), Icehearts Europe and The Starting Bloc (Danish NOC & Sports Confederation), each demonstrated sport’s transformative role for respectively vulnerable groups, social inclusion and resilience.

Panathlon’s perspective

For Panathlon International, the anniversary and conference reaffirmed the growing need to link ethics, safeguarding, health and wellbeing within EU policies. The alignment with EWOS 2025 themes — inclusion, digital health, and mental resilience — provides an opportunity to reinforce Panathlon’s advocacy for fair play, integrity, and safe sport environments.

As Europe marks ten years of #BeActive, the message from Copenhagen was clear: sport is more than physical activity — it is a civic responsibility, a driver of solidarity and a pathway to healthier, more inclusive societies.

Sander Renson,

Secretary of the Panathlon Club of Vlaanderen (B)

En el Liceo Nro. 3 de Minas, se llevó a cabo el conversatorio: "Características de una buena hinchada en el deporte", conducida por el Sr. Maestro director, Dr. Julio Ibarra

O Colégio Jardin's de Piracicaba, que trabalha com Ensino Fundamental Anos Iniciais e Finais e Ensino Médio, organizou o I Interclasse de Vôlei de Primavera.

No dia 04/10/25 o Colégio Jardin's organizou um torneio muito disputado de voleibol escolar, enfatizanfo os valores do Panathlon em destaque, como o Fair Play e a Ética no Esporte. Foi realizada uma abertura com o Hino Nacional e, na sequência, houve ênfase da direção e coordenação sobre os valores do Panathlon no esporte. Um aluno fez o juramento do atleta, com todos os princípios de ética no esporte e do fair play.

O torneio teve a coordenação do Prof de Educação Física da escola,  Paulo Moraes, também integrante do Panathlon Club Piracicaba,  e com a supervisão das Coordenadoras Fernanda Mandro e Dayse da Silva Pereira do Colégio Jardins.

25 September 2025 – An evening full of meaning and strong emotions accompanied the convivial meeting of the Panathlon Club of Venice, during which the Panathlon Club Venice Jr. was officially presented, whose constitution was officially approved by Panathlon International on 4 September.

A particularly touching moment was dedicated to the young members of the new Junior Club, led with enthusiasm, passion and competence by President Veronica Berti. They received congratulations and encouragement from the DI Junior Club Delegate, Rita Custodi, who emphasised the educational, inclusive and innovative value of the project.

Alongside Veronica Berti were Caterina Almansi, Marta Bertoldini, Filippo Carraro, Fabio Cerchiai, Nicolò Darai, Jacopo Pajer, Lorenza Perini and Diego Secchieri. Dario Manente and Angelica Marengo were absent with justification.

The new young Panathletes were welcomed not only by the President and all the members of the Venice Club, but also by Rita Custodi, National Board Member of the Italian Panathlon District with responsibility for Junior Clubs, and Giuseppe Falco, Governor of Panathlon Area 1 - Veneto, Trentino A.A. - Südtirol. The International President, Giorgio Chinellato, was absent due to institutional commitments in Brussels, but was ideally close to the initiative.

Webinar invitation: Referees, guardians of values in sport

Too often, the role of referees is reduced to simply managing a match. Yet ensuring that the rules are followed is an essential part of the success of any sporting event.

Today, the growing pressure on referees threatens not only their safety, but also the very future of sport. Despite their indispensable role, referees are absent from the decision-making bodies and sports policies that regulate competitions.

This webinar will be an opportunity to reflect on:

The growing pressure on referees and the associated risks

The need for direct involvement of referees in decision-making processes

The importance of an educational perspective for new generations of athletes

The CREC (Culture, Research and Education Commission) of Panathlon International has organised its 3rd webinar on this topic.

The President of the CREC (Culture, Research and Education Commission), Antonio Bramante, will welcome the speakers:

Gwenda Stevens, President of the International Federation of Referees in Sport

Paul Wylleman, Professor of Sports Psychology at the VUB (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)

At the end of the debate, Paul Standaert, President of the District Belgium of Panathlon International, will offer further reflections on the importance of promoting respect for referees as part of PI's ethical vision.

Date: 9 October 2025

Time: 17:00 CET

Platform: Zoom

Join the webinar: http://bit.ly/webinarseries-pi 

A crucial issue, which affects the credibility and sustainability of sport, will be at the centre of our discussion.

We look forward to seeing you there!