Representatives of the International Sports Press Association Europe (AIPS Europe) and the European Olympic Academies (EOA) met in mid-October 2023 to discuss further ways of partnership. Both associations had jointly organised the Photo Contest at the EYOF Maribor earlier this year. A seminar for sports journalists during the Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE) in Andorra 2025 is now being considered.
A meeting of the AIPS Europe representatives, President Charles Camenzuli and Treasurer Erodotos Miltiadous, with EOA President Manfred Laemmer and EOA Executive Director Soenke Schadwinkel, held on 19 October 2023, aimed at sharing information on mutual activities and finding common grounds. The goal of the dialogue is to root the Olympic idea more firmly among sports journalists in Europe.
In 1924, sports journalists came together to form a global association, the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), based in Lausanne. It includes continental branches, while the European section, founded in 1977, today represents almost all of Europe with 49 countries.
Charles Camenzuli and Erodotos Miltiadous informed that AIPS Europe has signed Memoranda of Understanding with several European Sports Federations to help increase media coverage of the various sports, to further promote and develop the sports and offer sports journalists the opportunity to expand their knowledge on various sports.
While the AIPS Europe Board selected the winning photo at the EYOF Maribor, the organisation has extensive experience with awards, receiving 4000 entries annually for its sport media awards in nine categories.
The EOA was founded in 2018 by National Olympic Academies in Europe as their continental association. It aims to be the leading organisation for the promotion and dissemination of the Olympic Idea and the values of sport, Olympic culture and heritage at European level through education and collaboration and to provide a platform for its members to exchange common practices. The annual EOA Congress is its main activity, while regional seminars and exchange forums at sports events provide further opportunities to discuss topics related to the Olympic Movement.
Charles Camenzuli and Manfred Laemmer confirmed that both organisations will seek to develop a seminar for sports journalists, which will first be offered at the GSSE Andorra in 2025. In addition, AIPS Europe and EOA shall cooperate on a communication level, inform each other about projects and invite each other to its events.
Manfred Laemmer said, “With the help of AIPS Europe, the EOA can raise the awareness of the Olympic Idea among sports journalists, who have a strong role in shaping the public opinion in their countries.”
Charles Camenzuli added, “We are very happy to intensify the cooperation with the EOA, which adds an important asset to our portfolio for sports journalists by incorporating expertise and a strong network from the Olympic Movement.”
