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A record 119 countries attended the 88th AIPS Congress in Lausanne, Switzerland, which proved to be “a thrilling road movie”, as described in the latest edition of the AIPS Magazine. From the highly engaging institutional visits to the much anticipated elections, the Congress, held from 10-14 April, took delegates on a compelling adventure across three Swiss cities and ultimately opened up new horizons.
You can read and download the I/26 issue of the AIPS Magazine HERE: https://www.aipsmedia.com/healthsystem_project/aips/pages/magazine/AIPS012026/index.html
THE VISITS Over 200 delegates and observers had the rare chance of visiting the headquarters of five top international sports federations, starting with the Home of FIFA in Zurich on 10 April. Later that Friday evening, the Olympic Museum in Lausanne rolled out the red carpet for the ceremony of the AIPS Sport Media Awards 2025. The following days included a trip to UEFA's headquarters in Nyon and visits to the IOC, World Gymnastics and the FIVB, featuring interesting activities - from football matches to presentations.
“This time, the equation of the traditional Congress was reversed. Instead of federations travelling to the delegates, it was AIPS making the pilgrimage, moving from city to city and from headquarters to headquarters, opening doors not usually accessible to such a global gathering of sports journalists,” Mazur writes.
ELECTIONS A total of 111 countries took part in the electronic voting process that led to the re-election of Gianni Merlo as president of AIPS on 12 April. Merlo achieved an overwhelming win over his Hungarian opponent Zsuzsa Csisztu to set the tone in a momentous election that heralded a new wave of leaders on 12 April at the Olympic Museum. There are 11 new faces on the Executive Committee for the 2026-2030 term. A day earlier, AIPS Europe and AIPS America held their elections during the meeting of the continental sections at Alpha-Palmiers Hotel. Marc Ventouillac became the new president of AIPS Europe, while Carlos Julio Castellanos was re-elected as AIPS America president.
JOURNALISTS ON THE PODIUM Another key AIPS event highlighted in the magazine is the Journalists on the Podium that took place on 5 February, on the eve of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony. Sports icons Alberto Tomba, Nawal el Moutawakel, Paul Tergat, Manuela Di Centa, Claudia Giordani, and Maria Rosa Quario presented awards to journalists who have covered 10 or more Olympics during the ceremony held at the Teulié Military School in Milan.
Many more stories can be found inside the AIPS Magazine thanks to contributions from our National Associations, Delegates, Continental Sections and Partners.
AIPS Media, Graphics by Nordcap Studio
