HIBAPRESS-RABAT-AIPS
JOURNALISTS ON THE PODIUM
The highlight of the event was the recognition of journalists who have covered 10 or more Olympic Games. Each received a set of AIPS pins, a copy of François Carrard’s “By The Way” and other gifts from the world and Olympic champions in attendance. Giuliano Bevilacqua led the way with 29 appearances, followed by Hugo Steinegger with 28 appearances, while Laci Perenyi and Christine Brennan shared the bronze medal. Some of these sports journalists were athletes themselves, such as Reichel and Victor Boin, the second AIPS president, who was the first athlete to take the Olympic oath. The champions did not leave the stage empty-handed as they were presented with a painting of themselves by Cesare Giardini, an artist from Vigevano, Italy, by AIPS EC members and national association presidents. The award-winning journalists also received Airweave cushions waiting for them at their seats.
AIPS SPORT MEDIA AWARDS Jura Ozmec, Secretary General of AIPS, spoke about the AIPS Sport Media Awards, which are in their 7th edition and have been a huge success.
AIPS YOUNG REPORTERS PROGRAM
AIPS Vice Presidents Zsuzsa Csisztu and Evelyn Watta spoke about the evolution of the AIPS Young Reporters Programme and announced the upcoming programmes which will take place during the Saudi Games 2024 and the World Games 2025 in Chengdu, China. The two mascots for the 12th edition of the World Games, a giant panda and a golden snub-nosed monkey, were unveiled at the ceremony. The Games will take place from 7 to 17 August next year and 24 Young Reporters will participate.
KATAKLÒ
The ceremony was punctuated by the four-part choreography of the Kataklò Athletic Dance Theater, which retraced the history of the Olympic Games and AIPS, while evoking the future of Milano Cortina 2026.
100 OLYMPIC STORIES
The AIPS President shared the idea behind the AIPS Centenary Project: 100 Olympic Stories told by 100 Young Reporters from 100 Nations in 100 Seconds. Visit www.aips100.com to learn more. A total of 131 enthusiastic Young Reporters from all continents participated in this cultural and educational initiative highlighting the athletes and iconic moments that shaped their respective countries’ Olympic history.
NEXT AIPS CONGRESS IN MOROCCO
At the conclusion of the event, the AIPS President announced that the next AIPS Congress will take place in Morocco.
AIPS CHAMPIONS OF THE CENTURY
The winners of the AIPS Champions of the Century poll were also announced. Tennis legend Serena Williams won in the women’s category and boxing icon Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) in the men’s category. More than 900 journalists participated in the poll. Free Event, an Italian-based production, communications and event planning company, played a significant role in the realization of the AIPS Centenary Ceremony.
