ATHENS, Greece – May 28, 2026 – As Ecosystem Partner of "Panathēnea Festival 2026", the International Fair Play Passport, together with Fundathlon, organized an official side event at the historic Athens Lawn Tennis Club entitled "Sports Ecosystem: Tech, Insights & Social Impact" welcoming a large and engaged audience.
The event opened with a fireside chat featuring Melina Xanthopoulou, Senior Manager, Sports Entries & Qualifications at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Dr. Andreas M. Panagopoulos, Journalist at Alter Ego Media.
The conversation focused on the current state of the sports ecosystem with particular emphasis on amateur sport, and provided valuable insights into the IOC's vision for the future of the Olympic Movement, especially in light of the recent change in leadership.
During the first panel "Sports Tech: From Hardware and Software to Data and AI", participants Petter Hederstedt, Co-founder & COO of Pace Sports; Marios Parisis, Founder & CEO of Hiveact; Dimitris Sereleas, Founder & CEO of myTeam; Dimitris Tyflioris, Founder & CEO of Athlify; and moderator Makis Papadopoulos, Founder & CEO of Fundathlon, discussed how cutting-edge technologies are reshaping and redefining the sports industry. The panelists also provided valuable insights into the role of innovation in enhancing athletic performance, fan engagement, and the overall sports ecosystem.
The second panel, "Chat with the Champions," featured elite Olympian and Paralympian athletes Dora Goudoura (Olympian, World and European Champion, Fencing), Stelios Malakopoulos (Paralympian, World Record Holder, Para Athletics), Anna Ntountounaki (Olympian, European Champion, Swimming), and Dimitris Mougios (Olympic Silver Medalist, World and European Champion, Rowing). Moderated by Dr. Andreas M. Panagopoulos, they engaged in a thought-provoking discussion about the values of Fair Play and the connection between sports, innovation, and the startup ecosystem.
Drawing on their personal experiences, the panelists highlighted the shared values that unite sports and entrepreneurship: perseverance, discipline, resilience in the face of failure, teamwork, adaptability, a commitment to continuous improvement, and vision.
Initiatives like these demonstrate that the values of sport can serve as a powerful foundation for fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and a society built on respect, collaboration, and the spirit of fair play.
As part of the Panathēnea Festival activities, the International Fair Play Passport Award was presented.
This honorary distinction recognizes outstanding individuals for excellence and innovation in the fields of business, sports, and society.
The presentation of these awards highlights the importance of positive role models and acknowledges their contributions and achievements.
The International Fair Play Passport not only celebrates excellence but also introduces a distinctive approach to recognition by honoring:
1. The important role of the family in an athlete's journey and development.
2. Foundations and organizations that inspire people to make meaningful contributions to society by promoting the values of cooperation, respect, and solidarity.
The award ceremony carried special symbolic significance as we honored Ioanna Papadimitriou, the mother of two-time Olympic long jump champion Miltiadis (Miltos) Tentoglou.
Throughout his remarkable journey, she has stood—and continues to stand—quietly and steadfastly by his side.
Mrs. Papadimitriou embodies the silent strength, faith, and love that often lie behind every great achievement.
We also had the distinct honor of presenting an award to the Novak Djokovic Foundation and Jelena Djokovic in recognition of their outstanding social and humanitarian work, which has positively impacted the lives of countless children and families around the world.
The awards were presented by the Vice Mayor for Sports of Ancient Olympia, Mr. Antonios Chrysanthakopoulos, and Professor Gennaro Testa, Sports Sociologist.
Special thanks to the President and the Board of Directors of the Athens Lawn Tennis Club for their warm hospitality, and, of course, to our distinguished moderators, Dr. Andreas M. Panagopoulos, Journalist at Alter Ego Media, and Makis Papadopoulos, Founder & CEO of Fundathlon.
