Culture and sport unite in moving celebration of AIPS centenary at UNESCO headquarters in Paris
HIBAPRESS-RABAT-AIPS
UNESCO’s headquarters, a magnificent “three-pointed star” nestled in the heart of Paris, opened its doors to sports journalists from around the world today (August 6) as part of the AIPS centenary celebration. In addition to paying tribute to the rich history of the International Sports Press Association, which was founded here in Paris in July 1924, this special event also honored the dedication of journalists who have covered at least 10 Summer and Winter Olympic Games.
100 YEARS Celebrated
100 years of existence is no small feat and this famous building, which has also stood the test of time, proved to be the ideal venue for this important and unique gathering, which took place on the sidelines of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games – a scenario similar to that which saw the birth of AIPS in 1924, at a time when sports journalism was just beginning to gain momentum.
No one would have thought that it would take 100 years for Paris to host the Games for the third time and provide such a symbolic moment to reinforce this shared history, as highlighted by the event’s host, Marc Maury, a former French decathlete and rugby player.
LEGENDS OF SPORTS
Dignitaries in attendance included French Minister of Sports and the Olympic and Paralympic Games Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences Gabriela Ramos, and 16 sports legends, including members of the Laureus World Sports Academy: Antonio Rossi, Edwin Moses, Donna de Varona, Sean Fitzpatrick, Nawal El Moutawakel, Sebastian Coe, Nadia Comaneci, Kipchoge Keino, Daley Thompson, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Tegla Loroupe, Chris Hoy, Wu Jingyu, Ana Fidelia Quirot, Sergey Bubka and Nicol David.
“NESSUN SLEEPS”
Evocative images of AIPS history accompanied by the AIPS Centenary Anthem, “Nessun Dorma” from Puccini’s Turandot – probably one of the most popular arias of all time – set the tone for the event. The opening also paid tribute to the great Italian composer Giacomo Puccini, who died 100 years ago this November.
IN THE BOXING RING
In another iconic moment, AIPS President Gianni Merlo, who has covered 26 Olympic Games, entered a “boxing ring” created on the UNESCO stage by the Kataklò athletic dance theatre, with the iconic photo of the AIPS founders in the boxing ring as a backdrop.
“This photo sends us a message: we must continue to fight for our independence, especially in the era of artificial intelligence, which does not ask us for permission before using our work… Sports journalism is a culture and it always creates new bridges in difficult situations. We must fight against match-fixing and other evils that threaten the values of sport,” insisted Mr. Merlo, before inviting the members of the current AIPS executive committee to take the stage.
VITAL ROLE
In her welcoming speech, Gabriela Ramos said: “Congratulations on the work you do: “Congratulations on the work you do, because without you, how would we know these stories of performances, of efforts, of human experiences? How would we know what happens behind the scenes, the extreme situations that athletes face in many places? What would we do without your eyes, your ears and your pen… the role you play in covering sporting events is vital for millions of fans around the world.
“Your work transcends the Games themselves by capturing the spirit, the stories of triumph that inspire us all, convey values and promote respect.”
THE GREAT NARRATIVES
Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra added: “What would sport be without your words, without your images, without your voices? What would the exploits of the greatest champions, the little stories behind the great narratives and the inspiring life stories that sport sanctifies be without those who capture them and transform them into timelessness?”
She then highlighted France’s immense contribution to the creation of AIPS through Frantz Reichel, the 1900 Olympic champion who would become AIPS’s first president. The president of the French Sports Press Union (UJSF), Vincent Duluc, also echoed these words in his speech.
To be continued
