2009 SU Update: ‘International Sports Journalists’ Day’, also at the Universiade

 AIPS President Gianni Merlo with the President of the Serbian Sport Journalist Federation

When sport journalists opened their mail today, they probably found a message in their mailbox from AIPS President Gianni Merlo sent from Belgrade, host city of the 25th Summer Universiade contemplating on the importance and significance of sport journalism. Indeed, Sports journalists around the world celebrate their profession today. ‘International Sports Journalists’ Day’ marks the foundation of AIPS at the 1924 Paris Olympics.

With some 750 journalists accredited for the Belgrade Universiade, the FISU Games keep a nice number of them busy keeping track of the competitions.

‘Just having returned to my hotel from witnessing the enthusiastic youth of the world participating in the Belgrade FISU Summer University Games Opening Ceremony, I am even more convinced that we as chroniclers of sporting endeavors – no matter how significant they may be, no matter whether on the local or international stage – can make a positive contribution towards breaking down the barriers which lead to conflicts around the world, because we are part of the culture of the world’, Mr. Merlo states in his message.

In his message the AIPS President refers to ‘the era of Twitter, Facebook and the blog’. ‘I believe that as sports journalists we need to take this seriously. We must embrace new technology and not be afraid. We must work together with and guide the federations in dealing with matters of accreditation that will no doubt surface.’

FISU Media asked Gianni Merlo about this special day for sport journalists. ‘We must study very carefully what will be our future. New technology sometimes puts us in a difficult position because we don’t always know what tomorrow will bring’, the AIPS President commented. ‘This is a moment not to reject new technology but to reflect upon it and not see it as a job killer. For sport journalists the future can be bright if we look at it from the right perspective’, Gianni Merlo added.

New tools for sport journalists means education and here the link with FISU appears as FISU and AIPS are looking into the possibility to bring young journalists to the University Games to report on their peers. This project will start off in Shenzhen, host of the 2011 Summer Universiade.

To read AIPS President Gianni Merlo’s message surf to www.aipsmedia.com.

The AIPS President has a chat with FISU President Killian and Chair of the FISU Press Committee Leonz Eider

Gianni Merlo speaks with Deputy PM and President of the UB2009 OC Bozidar Djelic after the FISU Press Conference