The founding Club celebrates its 75th anniversary. The prestigious Panathlon International award honours two champions who embody sport, inclusion and values
VENICE – The event scheduled for Saturday 19 September in Venice is set to be one of the most prestigious celebrations in the history of the Panathlon movement.
To mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of Panathlon Club Venezia, the movement’s founding club, Panathlon International will present the “Flambeau d’Or – in memory of Antonio Spallino” to two leading figures in world sport: Francesca Porcellato and Bashir Abdi.
Francesca Porcellato is one of the longest-serving and most successful figures in Italian Paralympic sport. She has competed in athletics, Nordic skiing and cycling, amassing a total of twelve appearances at the Paralympic Games – a milestone she reached at Paris 2024.
Bashir Abdi, a Belgian long-distance runner of Somali origin, has made his mark on the international marathon scene: Olympic bronze at Tokyo 2020, silver at Paris 2024 and World Championships bronze at Eugene 2022. Alongside his competitive career, he has shown a strong commitment to social causes through Sportaround, an association he founded to promote the inclusion and development of young people through sport.
This recognition goes beyond medals and competitive results, recognising sport as a vehicle for ethics, fair play, inclusion and social responsibility. This is the significance of the Flambeau d’Or, one of Panathlon International’s most prestigious awards, bestowed upon individuals who have made an exemplary contribution to the promotion of sporting culture and values.
The ceremony will take place at the prestigious Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista, in the heart of Venice.
On Saturday 19 September, from 10.00 am, the Salone Capitolare of the Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista will host a conference dedicated to the role of sport in contemporary society.
Professor Andrea Rinaldo, winner of the 2023 Stockholm Water Prize, and Professor Mattia Losi, former columnist for *Il Sole 24 Ore* and lecturer at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, will deliver two keynote lectures on the themes of ethics, sporting culture and civic responsibility.
Roberto Papetti, Editorial Director of *Il Gazzettino*, will chair the event.
The Flambeau d’Or ceremony will be hosted by Luca Ginetto, Editor-in-Chief of TGR Umbria, President of the Panathlon Club Perugia and former President of the Panathlon Club Venezia.
