Panathlon International

Panathlon International is pleased to announce the conclusion of the Photo Contest 2025, photographic competition dedicated to the theme "Being twenty: the sport I live". The initiative, addressed to young photographers between 18 and 35 years old, has successfully collected many adhesions, offering an authentic and passionate look on the sport lived by Generation Z.

The competition is an integral part of the OFF Circuit of European Photography XX, a prestigious international festival taking place in Reggio Emilia from 24 April to 8 June 2025. This year's theme, “Being twenty: the sport I live”, explores the hopes, challenges and contradictions of youth through the lens of emerging and established photographers.  

Two unmissable events: exhibition and award ceremony

The Photo Contest 2025 includes two separate events: 

- Exhibition opening: Monday 29 April at 12 noon, at the UNIMORE University Hall in Viale Antonio Allegri 9, Reggio Emilia. The exhibition, displaying the finalist photographs, will be open until 6 June.

- Award ceremony: Saturday 3 May at 8:30 pm, in Piazza Dal Popol Joust, Reggio Emilia. During the evening the winners of the competition will be announced and awarded prizes.

The event represents a unique opportunity to celebrate the creativity and commitment of young photographers in recounting sport as a life experience and personal growth.

Panathlon International was well represented at the EU Sport Forum in Krakow (10/11 April 2025), a key event for the European Sport organizations.. The forum provides a platform to address the significant changes and challenges facing the European Sport model. Stakeholders, EU institutions, and Member States come together to ensure the sustainability of sports in the EU.

A highlight of the program was the high-level panel discussion focusing on strengthening the European Sport Model through solidarity, values, and competitiveness. The panel featured distinguished speakers including MEP Zdrojewski, EU Commissioner Glenn Micallef, and Laura McAllister, Vice President of UEFA. Their insights were truly inspiring, and it was a great opportunity to engage with them on supporting these ambitious projects. 

In the current socio-economic context where authoritarian nationalism leads to degrading situations, the participants and speakers agreed that the promotion of Olympic values by practising Sport together represents a necessary positive and humanistic response.

In his intervention, Ukrainian Sports Minister Matviy Bidnyi referred to special solidarity of European neighbours with top Ukrainian sports. A clear signal that sport unites.

The 2024 European Parliament elections are an opportunity for the new commissioner to sharpen the European Sports Policy. In discussion groups, EU Forum participants highlighted, among other things, the importance of continuing projects like Erasmus+ and simplifying them administratively wherever possible.

Paul Standaert represented Panathlon International and was able to meet the EU Commissioner, EU MPs, the Minisiter for Sport of Ukraine and several delegations from European countries.. Other Panathlon members were also present from their own sports organisations.

For Panathlon International, this remains an important networking moment to discuss possible cooperation.  For example, Panathlon EU Brussels will collaborate with ENGSO on the occasion of the European Week of Sport in September 2025.

The next European Sports Forum in the spring of 2026 will take place in Cyprus.

 Sophie Kwasny, Head of sport division EUropean Council                     Ukraine’s Sports Minister, Matviy Bidnyi

 EU Commissioner Glenn Micallef          

The event programme and athlete quotas for the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 (LA28) have been approved by the Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). With a total of 351 medal events, 22 more than at Paris 2024 (329), the LA28 programme maintains the core athlete quota of 10,500, with an extra 698 quota places allocated for the five sports proposed by the LA28 Organising Committee (baseball/softball, cricket, flag football, lacrosse and squash).

olympics.com_cio_news

A través de este video oficial de bienvenida, los organizadores del evento extienden una cálida invitación a todos los clubes, delegaciones, socios y simpatizantes del Panathlon a participar en este importante encuentro que reunirá a representantes de todo el continente americano.

El Congreso será una excelente oportunidad para compartir experiencias, reflexionar sobre los desafíos del deporte moderno, fortalecer la red de colaboración entre clubes y proyectar nuevas estrategias para el futuro del movimiento panathlético en América.

Toda la información actualizada sobre el programa, los ponentes, la logística, alojamiento y actividades complementarias está disponible en la página oficial del Congreso: https://panathlonchihuahua.com/

¡No te pierdas esta cita con el deporte, la ética y la amistad panamericana en el corazón del norte de México!

The meetings of the President's Committee (PC) and the International Board (IB) were held online in Rapallo on 2 and 3 April with the participation of the International President. Many important topics were discussed during the meetings.

In particular, the final balance sheet for the year 2024 was unanimously approved, together with the budget estimates for the two-year period 2025-2026, accompanied by the reports of the Treasurer and the Auditors' Committee

It was also decided to convene an online Extraordinary General Assembly in May, aimed at approving the budgets that had been suspended following the rejection of the increase in PI membership fees last December. In the same month there will also be a meeting between the IB and the Governors, possibly in person, as requested by the DI Governors' Board.

Other important points discussed concerned the Erasmus projects presented to the European Union, with a heartfelt thanks to Fabio Figueiras who, together with the General Secretariat, played a fundamental role in getting the PI to participate in as many as eight projects, both as a partner and as a head organiser. The meeting with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was also discussed during which our current projects have been presented with particular attention to PI's participation in the Milano-Cortina Olympics. Participants were informed of the communication sent to all Clubs with the registration procedures to become Olympic “torchbearers”. The topic was also addressed with the PI-D. Chiesa, who participated in the IB for the usual annual meeting.

The IB also confirmed its commitment to the ‘Youth Sport Day’ (for which the Secretariat has just sent out a circular) and has granted its patronage for the next event, illustrated by the IB member Paolo Perin, relating to the Expo on caregiving, which will be held at the Pordenone Fair on 8, 9 and 10 May and with the participation of International President Giorgio Chinellato. Other topics discussed concerned the events planned for November 2025, with the Pan American Congress in Chihuahua (Mexico), and the congress in June 2026, which includes the organisation of the Congress, the Assembly, the 75th anniversary of PI and the Flambeau d'Or in the city of Ghent (Belgium).

Among the main topics discussed, we would like to point out the identification of the winner of the CSIT Award, who will be honoured during the World CSIT Games, scheduled to take place in Greece from 3 to 8 June this year. The award will go to a personality who has distinguished him/herself in the promotion of ethical and cultural values in the field of sport. As soon as it is made official, the news will be widely disseminated.

Another important point concerns the growing collaboration with the Associations recognised by the IOC (ISOH-CIFP-CIPC) which will soon lead to the organisation of a joint event. In addition, the collaboration with the other International Associations involved in Fair Play continues, for the celebration of World Fair Play Day, proclaimed by the United Nations and which will be held on 19 May.

A heartfelt thanks was addressed to our CCSE for the highly successful initiative that saw the launch of webinars, the first of which was made with subtitles in several languages.

The meetings ended on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m., in an atmosphere of collaboration and synergy, with the aim of increasing the visibility of PI at all levels and pursuing the projects presented to the Board.

The meetings of the President's Committee and the International Board will be held online on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 April.

The President's Committee will take place on Wednesday 2 from 11 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. and will address the following topics:  Balance sheet and budget discussion for presentation in IB- Meeting with IOC, results - PI presentation in European Parliament - EPAS: Event on safe sport as a space for human rights education - SportAccord: Istanbul - Erasmus+: Updates - ISOH-CIFP-CIPC-PI collaboration: updates - Communication Award – Patronages.

The International Board meeting will take place on Wednesday 2nd from 3 p.m. and continue Thursday 3rd April from 2 p.m.

Among the items on the agenda: Approval of final balance and budgets with relative reports - Panathlon CSIT Award check of the candidatures - World Fair Play Awards (CIFP) - Governors' letter to the International President - Representation Guayaquil (America) - Events 2026: GA - Flambeau D'Or- 70th Anniversary PI- International Congress - Update International projects: One Ocean - Photographic- World Fair Play Day-MAISI-DAISI-Members’ Recognition - Youth Sport Day- Milan-Cortina Foundation - Erasmus- Commission on Culture, Science and Education: first webinar- Caregiving Expo- Working Group on Expansion and Development- Pan American Congress 2025. 

Thursday 3 April from 4.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. meeting with the Board of the PI D. Chiesa Foundation.  The custom started in 2021 to meet with the Foundation Board to deepen and strengthen the collaboration between the PI and the Foundation continues. These meetings aim to encourage the planning and organisation of joint initiatives, such as competitions and activities that promote and spread the values of our Movement and sport.  

Registrations for PhotoContest2025 have officially closed. Once again, this competition has brought together a passion for photography and sports, thanks to the Panathlon International Cultural Foundation – Domenico Chiesa, the Fondazione per lo Sport of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia, and the Fondazione Palazzo Magnani.

For 2025, the initiative has drawn inspiration from the theme of EUROPEAN PHOTOGRAPHY: "Being Twenty", with the subtitle "BEING TWENTY: THE SPORT I LIVE".

An Extraordinary Edition: Participation from Six Countries and Three Continents

With 32 young photographers aged between 18 and 35, the competition has witnessed an explosion of creativity and passion, featuring 109 competing photographs. Participants come from Italy, Spain, India, Mexico, Uruguay, and Argentina, with a strong representation from Latin America, which continues to impress with the quality and depth of its works.

The 30 Finalist Photos: An Exclusive Preview

The International Jury, composed of industry experts, has carefully selected the 30 finalist photos, which will be exhibited at the UNIMORE University headquarters in Reggio Emilia starting from May 3. The exhibition will remain open until the conclusion of the EUROPEAN PHOTOGRAPHY Festival on June 8.

The Panathlon Clubs Vote: The Judges’ Choice

Panathlon Club representatives are currently reviewing the entries to determine which photograph will receive the "Panathlon Clubs Award", which will be officially announced during the award ceremony.
The 30 exhibition images are available on the Panathlon International Facebook page and website. (View the competing images by clicking on this link .

The Award Ceremony: Celebrating Talent and Emotion

The grand finale will take place on May 3, 2025, following the exhibition’s inauguration, during the award ceremony of the Off Circuit of the EUROPEAN PHOTOGRAPHY Festival. This will be the moment to celebrate the talents that have made this edition unique, unveiling the names of the winners.

A Special Thank You to All Participants

A heartfelt thank you to all the photographers who participated with passion and dedication. We encourage them to continue cultivating their love for photography. PhotoContest2025 is just the beginning of a journey. Inspired by the vision of young talents capturing the essence of sports, this initiative invites us to reflect on how being twenty means much more than just youth—it is an opportunity to tell stories, express emotions, and share hopes.

Last March 18, the Vice-President of the Club Bruxelles EU, Antonella Pederiva, at the initiative of the Representation, had the opportunity to present Panathlon International during a session of the European Parliament, to illustrate our Movement and its aims.

During her report, the Vice-President highlighted some crucial points that could be developed in line with the goals of the “European sport model,” specifically:

1. Ethics in Sport: Promoting integrity and equality in sport through seminars aimed at athletes, schools, coaches, media and officials.

2. Grassroots Sports: Encouraging participation in sports in families, schools, businesses and retirement homes and integrating it into daily life.

3. Share2 Program: Support exchanges between European sports academies, including non-EU countries, to provide young athletes with opportunities to train abroad.

4. European Week of Sport: Promoting an active lifestyle from September 23 to 30 each year, committing to ensure continuity of activities throughout the year.

The Vice President emphasized how these initiatives can help build an inclusive and coordinated sports culture at the national, local and European levels, strengthening the link between sport and community.

A great opportunity to promote Panathlon at the European level.

 Thomas Bach was yesterday elected Honorary President for Life of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), a position he will take up when his term of office as IOC President ends after 23 June 2025.

The IOC Members accepted the proposal unanimously as they rose in a standing ovation after the proposal was made to the 144th IOC Session by IOC First Vice-President Nicole Hoevertsz on behalf of the IOC Executive Board (EB) in Olympia (Costa Navarino), Greece. Just before that, the IOC Session had heard about the tremendous success of the Olympic Agenda reforms, which defined the presidency of Thomas Bach.

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With great pleasure we announce the first initiative of the Culture, Research and Education Commission of Panathlon International: a series of Webinars, which brings current topics to be discussed and implemented in our Panathlon Clubs.

Topic: How to make sedentary people more active: a proposal for Panathlon Clubs

Sedentariness is the No. 1 Enemy of public health, responsible for diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart attack, stroke and even mental problems such as memory loss and depression. But the good news? Physical activity is the best remedy!

In this special event, Dr. Victor Matsudo (CV) , world reference in Sports Medicine, creator of the Agita São Paulo Programme and member of the IOC and WHO committees, will present effective strategies to promote a more active lifestyle in communities.

 Moderator: Antonio Carlos Bramante, President of the Culture, Research and Education Commission of Panathlon International.

Do not miss to participate and share this message on your social media. 

click here https://bit.ly/webinarseries-pi 

Free event

For the first time AI will be used for translation: the webinar will be held in the original language with subtitles translated into all languages 

⏰Check the time of the event against the time in your country:

https://24timezones.com/it_fuso_orario/brazil_sorocaba_ora.php