Join a live, multi-stakeholder forum where European sport leaders explore equality, competitive balance and the wider social role of sport
The EU Sport Forum is the European Commission’s flagship meeting designed to influence the direction of sport across the continent. The event brings together a wide range of stakeholders — from national administrators and federation leaders to athletes, researchers and civil society — to debate priorities and share practical solutions.
The programme is being live streamed, and attendees are reminded that published schedules use the Cyprus time zone (EEST), so participants outside Cyprus should adjust their viewing times accordingly. This open format encourages real-time engagement and cross-sector collaboration on the policy challenges facing sport.
Across multiple panels the Forum highlights three interconnected themes: the need to adapt systems for female athletes, the preservation of competitive balance in organised sport, and the expanding role of sport in education, health and social inclusion. Speakers combine institutional experience, scientific research and practical insights.
The aim is to create a shared roadmap so that policies at EU and national levels can translate into tangible improvements for athletes, clubs and communities.
Voices shaping the debate
The event showcases senior officials and practitioners who carry both policy and operational expertise. Normunds Popens has served as Deputy Director-General in DG EAC since January 2026 and brings experience from his earlier roles in regional policy and Latvian diplomacy, including his service as Permanent Representative of Latvia to the EU from 2007 to 2011. At national level, Marios Panayides joined his current post as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth in 2026, having previously led energy and education portfolios and represented Cyprus in numerous European fora. Their perspectives frame institutional responsibilities, funding mechanisms and cross-sector coordination.
Panels on equality, science and athlete-centred support
One dedicated session examines how to remove barriers for women in sport. Panelists note that progress comes from combining applied science, tailored training and organisational change. Contributors such as Paola Ottonello, who leads events and stakeholder engagement in the Commission’s sport unit, and medical and research experts like Dr Kat Okholm Kryger stress the importance of evidence-based approaches to performance, health and career progression for female athletes. The discussion explores how the sport ecosystem and medical research can better address female-specific needs, and how campaigns and initiatives help translate science into daily practice for coaches and clubs.
Profiles and practical experience
Several biographies underline the mix of expertise present. Media and moderation are represented by journalist Nynne Bjerre Christensen (born 1975), who combines broadcasting experience with long-term engagement in public debates. From the federation and club side, leaders like Roko Sikirić (President of CEV) and administrators such as Giorgio Guazzugli Marini (Head of the Sport Unit in DG EAC from August 2026) contribute operational perspectives on competition formats, commercial sustainability and transparency. Their backgrounds demonstrate how governance, events management and communication meet at the intersection of sport policy and practice.
Competitive balance and the integrity of competitions
A core debate tackles the concept of competitive balance — why unpredictability and fairness matter for fan engagement and long-term sustainability. Panelists analyse how financial disparities, structural inequalities and the increasing commercialisation of sport alter competitive dynamics. Experts such as Gareth Farrelly (UEC co-founder) and club executives like Christina Tsiligkiri describe strategies to protect the credibility of competitions, from regulatory tools to solidarity mechanisms. The Forum aims to map policy levers that can preserve sporting merit while allowing responsible commercial growth.
Tools and governance approaches
Speakers advocate a mix of measures including redistributive funds, transparent financial rules and support for smaller clubs. Case studies shared by sports administrators highlight the role of solidarity funds, competition restructuring and partnerships with private stakeholders to sustain diversity across leagues. These interventions are framed as pragmatic ways to maintain both competitive unpredictability and broader access to high-level sport across Europe.
Sport beyond competition: education, inclusion and health
Another strand of the Forum explores how sport increasingly contributes to education, social cohesion and public health. Presenters note that elite competition remains central, yet sport now functions across recreational and community settings, creating a multilayered ecosystem. Leaders from organisations like ISCA and academic networks emphasize pathways that connect grassroots participation to elite opportunities. Examples discussed include school-club partnerships, youth empowerment initiatives and programmes that use sport to bridge divided communities.
The Forum closes by reaffirming that collaboration between EU institutions, national administrations, sports bodies and civil society is crucial. Speakers such as Julian Rössler and athletes-turned-leaders highlight sport’s potential to deliver social benefits when governance, science and funding align. Participants leave with concrete policy recommendations and a renewed agenda to ensure sport in Europe is equitable, competitive and socially impactful.
