Gender equality, media activities during the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the future of journalism and sport with the intervention of artificial intelligence were among the many topics were presented and discussed on the opening day of the 86th Congress of the International Sports Press Association. 

The highlights of the event were undoubtedly the presence of 400m hurdles legend Edwin Moses and the AIPS Awards, which crowned many reporters, photographers and journalists from the written press, television, radio and new media formats. 

A two-time Olympic and world champion, Moses also made history with an unbeaten record lasting almost a decade. His defeat to fellow American Danny Harris in Madrid on 4 June 1987 was his first  since 26 August 1977. 

AIPS, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, has a long and fruitful relationship with FISU. Both their presidents, Gianni Merlo and Leonz Eder, launched the Young Reporters Programme in 2011 during the 26th Summer Universiade in Shenzhen, China.

Leonz Eder, president of the FISU, presented AIPS President Gianni Merlo with a small token of appreciation for the great cooperation between the two bodies, and AIPS also presented FISU with a gift. 

After several discussion panels with representatives of the leading sports media as well as sports federations leaders, the AIPS presented the first of its awards, this time to events rather than journalists. 

The Chengdu FISU World University Games, which took place in July and August 2023, won the award for best media facilities at a multi-sport event - recognition of all the hard work which went into providing the best possible service to the media.