The 86th Congress of the International Association of Sports Journalists (AIPS) was held this Monday in Barcelona, commemorating its centenary and within the event the famous motto of the International University Sports Federation was highlighted: “Excellence in mind and body”. FISU has been a partner of AIPS since 2011 and participated in its inaugural Young Reporters Programme, hence the strong commitment between the two organisations.
FISU President Leonz Eder gave a presentation alongside Thérèse Courvoisier, FISU’s Director of Media and Communications, to detail FISU’s projects and achievements over the past 75 years, along with its ambitious plans for the future. In addition, Leonz Eder empathised with the press by recalling his time as a journalist.
Within his presentation, he highlighted FISU’s commitment to promoting gender equality, inclusion, as well as its dedication to helping the younger generation make their aspirations a reality. “We, at FISU, stand for a combination of excellence in sport and education,” said the President.
In addition, Eder also indicated that FISU prioritises mental health and gender equality through its initiatives, especially the Healthy Campus programme, which focuses on improving student health by promoting physical activity, healthy nutrition, disease prevention, and mental and social wellness. Leonz and Courvoisier stressed the critical importance of mental health for the younger generation, even more so since the last pandemic.
And when talking about young people and the future, it is impossible not to mention FISU’s work on sustainability. Its aim is to minimise travel and to organise more and more meetings online, wherever possible, with the environment in mind.
“We are training the leaders of tomorrow, helping them to develop their skills,” concluded the President, who also recalled the importance of the FISU Winter Games and the FISU Summer Games, each of which takes place every two years. In 2025, the Winter Games will be held in Turin, while Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, will host the Summer Games.
