On 13 and 14 June 2022, the annual meeting of the EPAS Board of Directors and the meeting of the EPAS Advisory Committee was held in Strasbourg, which also marks the 15th anniversary of EPAS - Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport, a Council of Europe (COE) body.
During the meeting, elections were held for the Bureau of the Advisory Committee, re-electing Kole Gjeloshaj (ISF) as President, Mogens Kirkeby (ISCA) as Vice-president, Janez Sodrznik (TAFISA), Pauline Johanet (Peace and Sport), Charlotte Girard-Fabre (IFSO) and Baiba Veisa (EFPM) as members, while Emily Shaw (UEFA) was elected speaker for gender equality.
The event continued with the joint meeting of the Board and Advisory Committee, chaired by Alexandre Husting from Luxembourg. The meeting covered several topics, reflecting on the EPAS core values of promoting and ensuring that sport is ethical, inclusive and safe.
The meeting was attended by International President Pierre Zappelli
https://www.eusa.eu/epas-celebrates-15th-anniversary-in-strasbourg
The CIFP World Fair Play Award Ceremony was held in Budapest on 12 June 2022 to honour the winners for the years 2019 and 2020, which the pandemic had prevented from being celebrated.
Among the award winners, many were those nominated by Panathlon Clubs through Panathlon International.
We would therefore like to congratulate the winners and the Clubs, Areas and Districts that worked to present them to CIFP and obtain the deserved awards.
The winners for the year 2021 have not yet been decided.
2019
PC Como: Giovanni Borgonovo - Trophy Jaques Rogge Youth
PC Ferrara: Eugenio Dondi - Diploma Jaques Rogge Youth
PC Modena: Catia Pedrini - Diploma Jean Borotra "Carreer"
2020
Area 05: Maxime Mbandà – Trophy Willi Daume "Promotion"
PC Lisbon: David Livramento Diploma Pierre de Coubertin “Act”
PC Buenos Aires: Luisiane Varclo / Uruguayan wheelchair tennis player - Diploma Pierre de Courbertin «Act»
PC Bononia: Francesco Franceschetti - Diploma Willi Daume “Promotion”
PC Ferrara: Mario Testi - Diploma Willie Daume “Promotion”
PC Mestre: Stefano Bizzozi - Diploma Willi Daume “Promotion”
PC Ferrara: Gianfranco Vitali - Diploma Jean Borotra “Carreer”
PC Varese: Alfredo and Lella Ambrosetti - Diploma Jean Borotra “Carreer”
PC Roma: Alessandro Palazzotti - Diploma Jean Borotra “Carreer”
District Uruguay: Felix Sienra Castellanos - Diploma Jean Borrotra “Carreer”
Panathlon International has learned with deep sadness that dear Sergio Allegrini has left us. We remember him President of the Club of La Malpensa and Secretary General of PI from 2007 to 2012.
President Pierre Zappelli, in particular, remembers with emotion that when he was President of the District Switzerland and Liechtenstein a fruitful collaboration had been established and Sergio went with pleasure to Switzerland to work in the interest of the development of Panathlon.
His death leaves a deep void in our Association, in the General Secretariat and in those who knew him. He will remain in the memory of all of us for his great love for Panathlon International and for sport, for his commitment at all levels and for his constant efforts to spread our values.
On behalf of the International Board and the entire Panathletic family we express our condolences and sympathy to the club and the family.
The General Secretariat mourns the passing of Sergio Allegrini
With deep sadness we have learned that you have suddenly left us. We extend our deepest sympathy to your family and your club. We remember you for your open and welcoming laugh, your lively eyes, your great generosity, availability and competence. You were a pillar for the Secretary and for Panathlon International at all levels. There are so many memories that bind us. We will not forget you Sergio, we will always be your "girls". RIP
From 9th to 12th June 2022, the President’s Committee and the Ordinary and Extraordinary General Assembly of PI took place at the Maison du Sport and the University of Lausanne.
Intense days that involved the participants not only in the assembly work, but also in the opportunity to enjoy the beauty and liveliness of the city and to visit the Olympic Museum, where the Gala Dinner was also held.
On the evening of Thursday, the participants were guests of the Lausanne Club for a tasting of local wines in the magnificent setting of Grandvaux (UNESCO site). The following day, the President’s Committee discussed the next institutional events taking advantage of the presence of International Board member Eugenio Guglielmino, delegate for relations with the Commission for Culture, Science and Education:
first and foremost, the presentation of the Flambeau d'Or Award to IOC President Thomas Bach on 16 September together with the PI International Congress. We cannot yet anticipate the topic as it will have to be approved by the Board, but we believe it will be impactful and very timely. The dates for the meetings of the District Presidents' Committee, International Board and Expansion Commission have also been decided. Beausoleil (F) 28-29 September.
On the evening of Friday 10 June, participants were welcomed to a 'Welcome Dinner' at Café Romand, one of the oldest in Lausanne, where the famous 'fondue', a typical dish of the region, was served.
Saturday 11 June saw the opening of the Assemblies, first Ordinary and in the afternoon Extraordinary, preceded by Prof. Riccardo Partinico's interesting presentation on the studies of the Riace Bronzes. All the reports were presented and approved by the Assembly after the interventions of the EFPM (European Fair Play Movement) President. First the IB's Moral report, followed by the intervention of IB Member Giorgio Chinellato who reported on the collaboration with OneOcean, then the presentation of the PI Development Plan (2022-2026) by IB Member Luis Moreno and finally the presentation of the work of the Expansion Commission by IB Member Patrick Van Campenhout. This was followed by all the other statutory reports, the General Secretary's organisational report, the Treasurer's economic-financial report for the two-year period 2020/2021, the Auditor’s Committee report, the membership fees, and the budget for the years 2023/2024. Everything was approved by a large majority. Several speeches were made by representatives of District Italy, about the PI's choices especially in relation to the costs of the Representations, the impact of the projects and requests for clarification on some budget items. Clubs will receive the Minutes with all the votes.
Before the break for lunch, the intervention of the Rector of the University of Antwerp Prof. Francis Van Loon on the activities of the Panathlon Club University (PCU) and the passage of baton between Lausanne and Agrigento that will host the 51st Assembly of the PI.
With a little delay the works was followed by the Extraordinary Assembly for the Statute changes. After the initial discussions on the amendment of Art. 1) (PI representations) which remained unchanged, Art. 17) (minimum number of clubs that make up the District) whose amendment was withdrawn, Art. 5) (young members) Art. 10.5) (emergency resolutions) which were not accepted, the other amendments presented by the IB and the clubs were essentially approved. The most important changes will concern the composition of the IB, (there will be an additional International Board Member who will replace - in terms of voting - the past-president); the possibility of re-election for a further term of office for all organs (IB-District Presidents-Governors) and the possibility of convening all meetings electronically.
After the Assembly closed, a coach took the participants to the IOC Auditorium, where the 2020-2021 Communication Award Ceremony took place.
The Secretary General Simona Callo presented, on behalf of the Commission, all the clubs that participated in the Competition and proclaimed the winners: the Panathlon Club of Maldonado y Punta del Este for the TV/Radio section, the Panathlon Club of Rovigo for the printed paper section and the Panathlon Club of Brussel EU for the web/social section.
The evening ended in the Pierre De Coubertin room at the Olympic Museum where, in a nice atmosphere of friendship and relaxation, an impressive dinner was held, accompanied by the notes of two young musicians from the Lausanne Conservatory.
The 'Lausanne Days' ended on Sunday with a free visit to the Olympic Museum, which collects the history of the Olympic Movement from its origins: an experience not to be missed for those who love sport.
The 50th Ordinary General Assembly will take place in Lausanne on Saturday 11 June at 9.00 a.m. while the Extraordinary General Assembly will take place at 2.00 p.m.
Those who cannot be present can stream at https://lite.owncast.live/PanathlonInternational/50-General-Extraordinary-Meeting (translations will be in Italian/English/French)
https://lite.owncast.live/PanathlonInternational/50-General-Extraordinary-Meeting
"On 1 June last, Panathlon International was represented at the Brussels-Walloon Parliament in Brussels at the inauguration of the "European Fair play Movement" (EFPM) which from now on will have its headquarters in Brussels, the capital of Europe. I had the honor to represent our President, Pierre Zappelli.
The welcome speech was given by the Vice President of the Walloon-Brussels Parliament, Mr François Bellot. The presence of the Member of the European Parliament, Mr. Tarabella and the President of the Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee, Mr. Jean-Michel Saive was much appreciated.
"European Fair play Movement" exists since 1994 and recently Philippe Houssiaux , also a Panathlete, was elected as president of this European entity.
Sport reflects the way our society works, through its values, its strengths but also its limitations.
The late Pierre de Coubertin, who always preferred an apolitical approach, gave sport the aura of universality.
Today, we must conclude that the line between sport and politics is becoming very thin and is regularly crossed. EFPM and Panathlon International have a lot in common in their promotion of values such as fair-play, respect, inclusion, etc...
The cooperation between Panathlon International and EFPM, as partners, will be more intense for the common goal. We wish EFPM every success in spreading the Fair-Play philosophy.
Patrick Van Campenhout
And here we are at the first 12 June, after the celebrations of the 70th anniversary Panathlon’s foundation. The echo of that final ceremony, in the garden of Villa Queirolo in Rapallo, still reverberates throughout the panathletic world for the ideal contents it was able to convey and for the call to make every year a celebration worthy of our history.
From the 'Panathlon day' emerges the invitation to organize an event of any magnitude to celebrate the anniversary, beyond any official ceremony.
After all, that “disnar sport” of 12 June 1951, promoted by Mario Viali and a group of sports enthusiasts from Venice, did not have resounding tones but the flavour of an intimate invitation to share values that do not need a loudspeaker to be announced, but only a convinced adhesion.
Today, in a world torn apart by the consequences of an unprecedented pandemic and now tragically involved in a war that belongs to everyone, it might seem anachronistic to speak of friendship and loyalty.
Panathlon must have the strength to be consistent with its message, launched 71 years ago, shortly after the end of World War II, comforted by 70 years of peace in Europe, thanks to the community drive, and now faced with a new test.
Sport stimulates competitiveness, while respecting ethics. Let us not lose sight of this scenario, thinking of young people who need examples and training models.
Panathlon International, present in 4 continents, 27 countries and 263 clubs, remembering its origins must find the strength to overcome even unforeseen obstacles, in order not to interrupt its training path and its history.
Panathlon International is one of the partners of SAMF – Sport Against Match-Fixing (SAMF), a Erasmus+ funded project, which is being coordinated by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) and which is further composed of following partners - Sport Evolution Alliance (SEA), FIBA EUROPE, Malta Football Association (MFA), Lithuania Football Federation (LFF) and EUNIK.
SAMF is aiming to raise awareness amongst grassroot athletes of different sports to the dangers resulting from match-fixing and the negative impact that it can cause on their careers.
SAMF was awarded with a total of €400.000,00 by the European Union and is scheduled to run for two years. The Kick-off meeting was held last week, in Lisbon, on the 19th and 20th of May 2022.
Panathlon International has been, through its clubs, especially active in the promotion of positive sporting values and ethics, in particular with awareness raising sessions on the combat of all sorts of sports manipulation, i.e. through online and physical held seminars and workshops, as well as previous participations in other projects/Erasmus+ funded projects related to the combat of match-fixing.
In the early afternoon the President's Committee was welcomed to the Town Hall of Brescia by the city councillor delegate for sports and panathlete Fabrizio Benzoni, who explained how much the administration cares about sports culture and about the synergy established with the Panathlon Club of Brescia, the second club founded after Venice. He then took the guests on a tour of the Town Hall (Palazzo della Loggia), the Hall of Magistrates and told the reason why the lioness has become the symbol of the city.
Afterwards, the work of the President's Committee began at the Vittoria Hotel. They reviewed, among other things, the implementation of the Conference of Rondine on Fair Play, the final organizational details of the Lausanne General Assembly, and upcoming institutional appointments. The talks also touched on the decision, not yet formalized, of GAISF's dissolution and the cooperation with other Recognized Associations.
Afterwards, the Committee attended the convivial meeting of the Club of Brescia held at Villa Carpina where, in an atmosphere of friendship and sympathy, next to the greetings of the authorities and getting to know each other, the participants were able to witness the exciting story of Stefano Miglietti and Giulia Scovoli and their feat in crossing 400km in five days in a portion of the Moroccan desert. An even more touching adventure as she was pulled by athlete Stefano Miglietti in a special wheelchair. It was an incredible experience that enriched everyone present and showed how dreams, if pursued with determination, can turn into reality.
The President's Committee thanked all members of the Club for the kind welcome, its president Rodolfo Garofalo with special thanks to Franco Vollono who strongly wanted the Committee's presence as early as 2019 , later suspended due to the pandemic.
The next meeting of the President's Committee will be held in Brescia next Monday, 23 May at the Hotel Vittoria. The Club will welcome participants to its convivial meeting and organise a meeting with the city's Mayor Emilio Del Bono.
Among the items on the agenda
- General Secretariat activity update
- Credentials Committee
- Lausanne Assembly 11 June 2022
- Commission for Culture, Science and Education CSEC