The International Sports Press Association (AIPS) marked its 100th anniversary alongside World Sports Journalists Day with a grand celebration. The event, held at the la Gazzetta dello Sport studios in Italy, was broadcast live via Zoom and YouTube, providing a unique and inclusive opportunity for sports journalists and enthusiasts worldwide to join in the festivities. The celebration was led by AIPS President Gianni Merlo and AIPS Secretary General Jura Ozmec.
The event honored a century of excellence in sports journalism, promoting ethical and professional standards while reflecting on the rich history and evolution of the profession. A highlight of the celebration was the launch of the AIPS Centenary Project, “100 Olympic Stories by 100 Young Reporters in 100 Seconds.” Over 130 young journalists contributed to this global map of Olympic history, officially announced by President Merlo.
More than 200 sports journalists from around the world attended the celebrations through Zoom and on the AIPS Media 1924 YouTube channel. During the event, President Merlo emphasized the importance of investing in the younger generation. “This time, we have invested in the young generation, and today, we want to launch our new project inspired by a young reporter working in our office,” he said.
President Merlo also highlighted some of the remarkable stories from the “100 Olympic Stories” project, showcasing the talent and dedication of the young reporters. Additionally, he spoke about the continued success of the AIPS Sport Awards, which have seen a significant increase in submissions over the years. The awards received 1,273 submissions in 2018, 1,746 in 2019, 1,871 in 2020, 1,732 in 2021, 1,830 in 2022, and a record 1,880 submissions last year from across Africa, America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.
“I believe these awards are very important to us because they give the public an understanding of the cultural level of our profession,” Merlo added. “These awards were born to show that our work in sports is not only about the selection of athletes but also the intellectual effort in telling the stories of our society through sports.”
Secretary General Jura Ozmec also launched the “Best Champion of the Century 1924-2024” initiative during the event. This project aims to identify the best athlete in the world from 1924 to 2024, with voting open until August 26, 2024, coinciding with the start of the Paris Olympic Games. President Merlo confirmed that the celebration will take place at UNESCO on August 6, where the best champions will be announced.
