On 15 and 16 April, EU sport stakeholders gathered in Paphos, Cyprus, for the annual EU Sport Forum, with discussions spanning women’s sport, elite and grassroots links within the European Sport Model, Mediterranean cooperation, mental health, intergenerational sport and the future of European basketball. The event featured policy updates on the European Commission’s progress on its Communication on “A strategic vision for sport: strengthening the European Sport Model” (due at the end of 2026) as well as the priorities of the upcoming Irish Presidency of the Council. European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, Glenn Micallef, delivered a keynote highlighting sport’s geopolitical relevance and the need for greater visibility and funding. 

The Olympic Movement and its partners were strongly represented at the event. IOC President Kirsty Coventry highlighted sport’s neutrality and autonomy in a video address and welcomed the return of the Olympic Games to Europe in 2030. Jean-Michel Saive (BOIC) joined Commissioner Glenn Micallef on a high-level panel on sport across generations, while Antonio Silva (European Aquatics) underlined the vital link between elite and grassroots sport. Roko Sikiric (CEV) contributed to discussions on solidarity and competitive balance. Kim Bui (IOC Member) addressed athlete mental health, while OLY & IOC Young Leader Sophia Papamichalopoulos also brought forward the athlete perspective in the discussion around gender equality. Johanna Talihärm (EOC Athletes’ Commission Chair) emphasised the importance of athlete representation in decision-making. Jaime Lamboy (FIBA) also presented the NBA Europe project and its opportunities to further develop basketball in Europe.