Jenő Kamuti met Thomas Bach at the Panathlon International event in Rome

Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, was given the Flambeau D'Or award by Panathlon International for his “outstanding contribution to the Olympic Movement and advancing the cultural role of sport”. The ceremony took place in Rome at the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) training center on last Friday.

Dr. Jenő Kamuti, President of the International Fair Play Committee was also invited to the event and he highlighted in his speech: "Thomas Bach deserved this prestigious recognition as an active leader. The Olympic movement has gone through a difficult period and is still going today, but in all his decision he has kept the spirit of Olympism and the original ideas of the Olympic Games in mind. Congratulations also to our host, President Pierre Zappelli, who, under the auspices of Panathlon International, is paying particular attention to Fair Play and its promotion to young people."

At the event Thomas Bach was overjoyed to welcome Jenő Kamuti, as he said, an old fellow fencer and friend. In his speech, IOC President mentioned the Hungarian sports diplomat by name several times, citing his dedication to the values of Fair Play as an example.

The Prize, established in 1972, aims to identify important personalities in the world of sport who have honoured and promulgated the fundamental principles of the affirmation of the ethical and cultural values of sport. The award is normally given every four years. In 2018 the prize was awarded to French skier Jean Claude Killy, following predecessors such as Jacques Rogge, Sergej Bubka and Joao Havelange.

Panathlon International is the association of all “Panathlon Clubs”, essentially based on the voluntary work of its Club members. Panathlon is an International Movement for the promotion and spread of culture and sporting ethics and Fair Play and oppose discrimination and politicisation of sport.

Panathlon International (PI) was officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), as the International Fair Play Committee (CIFP) is, of which PI is a member. The name Panathlon comes from the Greek words: pan ‘all’ + athlon ‘sport’. 

The first Panathlon Club was founded in 1951, in Venice, Italy. Today there are more than 300 clubs in nearly 40 countries on 5 continents. In addition to its promotional work, Panathlon International and its members support research into the links between sport and society.

Gabor Deregan/CIFP; photo: G.D. & Panathlon International