World Sports Journalists Day is annually observed across the globe on 2 July to honour and acknowledge the services of sports journalists worldwide.
- This Day also commemorates the establishment of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS (Association Internationale de la Presse Sportive)) in 1924 in Paris, France.
2 July 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), the World Sports Journalist body.
Background:
i.World Sports Journalists Day was established by the AIPS in 1994, marking the 70th anniversary of its foundation.
- To mark the foundation of AIPS, July 2 each year has been designated World Sports Journalists Day.
ii.The 1st ever World Sports Journalists Day was observed on 2 July 1994.
2024 Events:
i.The grand event was organised on 2 July 2024 at the la Gazzetta dello Sport studios in Italy to mark AIPS’ Centennial celebration and World Sports Journalists Day 2024.
- During the event, the AIPS Centennial Project, “100 Olympic Stories by 100 Young Reporters from 100 Nations in 100 Seconds” was launched.
ii.AIPS Centennial Celebration will also be celebrated at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Headquarters in Paris, France on 6 August 2024, during which journalists who have covered 10 or more Olympic Games will be honoured.
History of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS):
i.AIPS was founded as L’Association Internationale de la Presse Sportive in July 1924 in Paris before the opening ceremony of the VIII Olympic Games.
- It was established by Games Press Chief, Frantz Reichel of France, and Victor Boin, Freestyle Swimmer of Belgium.
ii.The first Congress was held in July 1924, with 29 nations present.
iii.AIPS is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the main Federations of each sport and country.
Note: 86 congresses have been held since 1924. The 86th annual AIPS Congress was held in Santa Susanna, Spain from 28 April to 2 May 2024.
The AIPS card:
It is the only official press card recognised across all borders, representing a significant network of contacts, information, and communications linking over 10,000 journalists in about 161 countries.
AIPS Sport Media Awards:
i.In 2018, AIPS launched the AIPS Sport Media Awards, the highest international accolade in the sports media industry.
- This Award is a celebration of sports media excellence, offering recognition to the very best sports storytellers across all media platforms.
ii.The 6th edition of the AIPS Sport Media Awards 2023 was held along with the 86th Congress in Santa Susanna, Spain.
Sports Journalists’ Awards:
i.Sports Journalists’ Associations’ (SJA) British Sports Journalism Awards (United Kingdom (UK));
ii.Annual Sports Emmy® Awards by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) (the United States of America (USA));
iii.Dave Moore Award by the baseball journal Elysian Fields Quarterly (USA);
iv.Red Smith Award by the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) (USA).
Sports Journalists’ Federation of India (SJFI):
i.SJFI was formed on 27 February 1976 at the Eden Gardens, Calcutta (now Kolkata), West Bengal.
ii.In 1978, the SJFI became a founder member of the Asian Sports Journalists’ Union and in 1979 the SJFI became affiliated with the AIPS.
About the International Sports Press Association (AIPS):
President– Gianni Merlo
Headquarters– Lausanne, Switzerland
