Panathlon International

On Monday, October 20, the first meeting of the Erasmus project “MindFit VR: Immersive Sports for Mental Well-being” was held.

Panathlon International was represented by Fabio Figueiras and Monica Rossi, while President Giorgio Chinellato and the Secretary General were in Mexico attending the Pan American Congress.

During the meeting, together with Aladdin Alrifai (Budapest Association for International Sports) and Ilknur Dinç (Deneyimsel Egitim Merkezi Dernegi – Turkey), the next step was defined: the kick-off meeting in Budapest, scheduled for November 2025.

The “MindFit VR” project combines sport and virtual reality to promote mental health, inclusion, and well-being among young people across Europe.

On October 21, 2025, the EPAS 2025 Diversity Conference took place — the annual event of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) of the Council of Europe, dedicated to exploring how sport can promote dialogue and cooperation between young and older generations.

Experts and representatives of European sports institutions discussed inclusion, solidarity, and intergenerational collaboration, with panels focusing on youth engagement, active aging, and sport as a bridge between generations.

During the break, there was also a “walking football” demonstration organized by the Collectivité européenne d’Alsace and the Alsace Football District.

Several best practice projects were presented, and among the speakers and moderators were high-level athletes and former athletes.

Representing Panathlon International, Debora Quercioli and Alexandros Brousiakis participated online.

Once again this year, Panathlon International took part in the CSIT Congress – International Workers and Amateurs in Sports Confederation, renewing the collaboration that has linked the two organisations for years in promoting the ethical and cultural values of sport.

The President of Panathlon International, Giorgio Chinellato, and Past President Pierre Zappelli were unable to attend the award ceremony as they were busy in Mexico, where the Pan American Congress of Panathlon International was taking place at the same time.

Claudio Muccioli, President of Panathlon Club San Marino, officially represented the Association and presented the Panathlon CSIT WSG 2025 Award, accompanied by Past President Leo Achilli.

The award, established in collaboration between CSIT and Panathlon International, is intended for those persons who, through their commitment and example, have contributed to spreading the sporting ideal, promoting fairness, respect and solidarity through sport.

For the 2025 edition, the award was presented to Elisabeth Speiser, President of the ICSBF – International Catch'n Serve Ball Sports Federation, a leading figure in the international sports scene. Under her leadership, the ICSBF has developed and promoted an innovative and inclusive discipline, Catch'n Serve Ball, which encourages the participation of athletes of all ages and abilities, focusing on fair play, socialising and cooperation among participants.

Through her tireless work, Elisabeth Speiser has fully embodied the principles shared by Panathlon International and CSIT: sport as a tool for education, friendship and social progress.

In previous years, the Panathlon CSIT WSG Award has been presented to prominent figures such as Prof. Kalevi Olin, Honorary President of CSIT, and Avi Sagi, both of whom were honoured at the closing ceremonies by representatives of Panathlon International, led at the time by Past President Pierre Zappelli.

With this new edition, Panathlon International renews its commitment alongside CSIT to support and celebrate those who, through sport, promote the universal values of humanity, integrity and inclusion.

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

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)

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!

From 1 October to 31 December 2025, Panathlon International will host Alexandros Brousiakis, a student at the Hellenic Open University in Greece, at its International Headquarters as part of the Erasmus+ programme.

Alexandros, who has a degree in Economics and is currently enrolled in a Master's programme in Sports Management, brings with him enthusiasm, team spirit and problem-solving skills.

Passionate about the world of sport, he is eager to put his skills into practice and contribute to new projects.

We welcome Alexandros and wish him a fruitful and stimulating experience!

On 25 September, Giorgio Chinellato President of Panathlon International and Prof. Silvia Camporesi of MAiSI signed an important collaboration to promote the implementation of academic studies into sport at grassroot level. More on this later in next edition of the Panathlon magazine.

On the afternoon of 24 September 2025, MEP Lara Magoni met with Panathlon International President Giorgio Chinellato and International Board member Fabiano Gerevini in Brussels. The meeting took place at the European Parliament, where Magoni is currently engaged in institutional activities.

During the meeting, crucial issues were discussed, such as the role of sport in promoting ethical and social values at a global level, with particular attention to the phenomenon of hikikomori. This is a profound, often invisible, disorder that affects adolescents and young adults, leading to social and educational isolation.

Panathlon International stressed the importance of addressing this issue with concrete and coordinated responses at international level. Lara Magoni confirmed her commitment to bringing the issue of hikikomori to the attention of the European Parliament's Committee on Culture, Education, Youth and Sport, so that it can be addressed with appropriate tools in youth policies.

The meeting represents a significant step in the collaboration between Panathlon International and the European institutions, with the aim of promoting the positive values of sport as a tool for prevention, inclusion and rebirth for those experiencing isolation and fragility.