LAUSANNE, August 13, 2024 - Indelible emotions and memorable moments coloured one week ago AIPS Centennial celebrations at Unesco headquarters in Paris: An auditorium full of legends in the world of sports - from veteran journalists to iconic athletes and champions - witnessed a milestone ceremony orchestrated by AIPS, in partnership with Free Event and Kataklò dance crew.

It was an iconic day not only for the International Sports Press Association, but for sports journalism as a whole system, which constantly evolves and develops in defense of the values ​​and rights of the profession.


A dance show by Italian dance crew "Kataklò", in action during AIPS Centennial celebrations ceremony
 

GIACOMO PUCCINI AND THE UNESCO The ceremony opened with a photographic collection of the most iconic moments in the history of the Association, under the notes of “Nessun Dorma” by Giacomo Puccini, on the occasion of one hundred years since the death of the famous Italian composer. It was possible thanks to an agreement signed between AIPS and the "Fondazione Festival Pucciniano".

The host and voice of Roland Garros for Eurosport Marc Maury then opened the celebrations, inviting Gabriela Ramos, Deputy Director General for Social Sciences and Humanities of Unesco, onto the stage: “A big round of applause for the AIPS Centenary, for these fantastic Olympic Games, and the work of journalists. Congratulations: it is thanks to you that the world can understand and appreciate the value of the immortal stories of sports legends. We are counting on you to promote not only sports, but also its values by promoting inclusiveness and brotherhood."

A DECISIVE ROLE "It is thanks to you journalists that stories about sports and major events become history, and these stories become legends. I thank Gianni Merlo for the opportunity to celebrate sports journalism and the AIPS Centenary together with all of you" With these words Amelie Oudéa-Castéra, the French Sports Minister welcomed sports journalists from all over the world to Paris on this special day, in a speech that underlined the importance of journalism and its role for sports: "Since 1896, the first edition of the Modern Olympics, many things have changed in your profession. More than ever we need journalists and their skills to transmit not only information but also passion. In such important moments as the Olympics, cooperation between sport and journalism is more decisive than before".

Amelie Oudéa-Castéra, French Sports Minister, speaking during AIPS Centennial celebrations ceremony

IN DEFENSE OF OUR PROFESSION AIPS President Gianni Merlo then stepped on stage, at the end of a splendid choreography which saw him land at the center of a ring choreographed by the Katakló dance troupe, underlining from his first words the need to continue fighting for rights and values ​​of sports journalism: “Thank you all for being here today, in a more decisive moment than ever for our Association. One hundred years undoubtedly represents an important milestone and celebrating it in Paris, in the city where we were born, in a symbolic place like Unesco means a lot. We must continue to work together so that sports journalism can promote the culture and values of sports. Sport is based on principles that we must continue to defend and promote."


AIPS President Gianni Merlo speaking during AIPS Centennial celebrations ceremony


AIPS President Gianni Merlo with Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences at Unesco, speaking during AIPS Centennial celebrations ceremony

SAN MARINO CENTENARY STAMP AIPS President Gianni Merlo presented a commemorative stamp at UNESCO House to mark AIPS’s centennial milestone. The stamp, created in collaboration with San Marino Post and dedicated by the San Marino Sports Press Association (ASSS), honors the 100th anniversary of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). This same stamp was presented to Their Excellencies Captains Regent of San Marino, Alessandro Rossi and Milena Gasperoni in the heart of Mount Titan, at San Marino the Public Palace on April 2024. This gesture highlights the strong bond between the national association and its international body, marking a significant moment in AIPS’s history.


AIPS President Gianni Merlo presents the AIPS Centennial commemorative mail stamp to the attendees at the UNESCO House, during AIPS Centennial Celebration on August 6, 2024 in Paris, France.

JOURNALISTS AT FIRST PLACE It was a celebration of sports journalism, by sports journalists, but not only them. 17 Olympic champions, authentic legends who wrote unforgettable pages of sports, joined AIPS celebrations. From World Athletics President Sebastian Cor to the newly elected Vice-President of the International Olympic Committee Nawal El-Moutawakel, gymnastics legend Nadia Comaneci, from Edwin Moses and Daley Thompson to Kipchoge Keino and Tegla Loroupe, and again, Nicol David, Sean Fitzpatrick, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Christopher Andrew Hoy, Cecilia Tait, Ana Fidelia Quirot, Donna de Varona, Sergej Bubka, Wu Jingyu and former Italian canoeist Antonio Rossi.


The 17 Olympic Champions called on stage during AIPS Centennial celebrations ceremony

Each of the Olympic champions received an exclusive illustration created by Cesare Giardini from Vigevano, Italy, the city in which AIPS President Merlo was born. The artist, who took the AIPS initiative with great enthusiasm, created unique pieces for each legend and his works collected great success among those present.


An illustration by artist Cesare Giardini from Vigevano, Italy, shown during AIPS Centennial celebrations ceremony

All these champions celebrated veterans of sports journalism, professionals that reached excellence in their respective careers with their stories and work. 112 sports journalists who covered 10 or more Olympic Games (between Winter and Summer Games) have been awarded on the occasion of the 15th edition of "Journalists on the Podium" ceremony, a special recognition created by Gianni Merlo for the first time in 2012, during the Olympic Games in London.


The 112 veteran sports journalists on stage during the 15th edition of "Journalists on the Podium"

100 OLYMPIC STORIES Among the various projects that have colored the hundred years of AIPS, it was also presented our latest project "100 Olympic Stories told by 100 Young Reporters from 100 countries in 100 seconds", an initiative that brought together creativity and enthusiasm of young journalists 130 countries worldwide. The project, which AIPS President and his office have believed in since the very first day, represents a unique result that demonstrates how far AIPS has been able to go over the years and how far sports journalism can connect and reach people everywhere.

AIPS President Gianni Merlo and Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences at Unesco Gabriela Ramos speak about AIPS Young Reporters Video Project

The platform, with 131 Olympic videos from 130 countries, is available for everyone to view for free at aips100.com.