ICSSPE President Meets the President of Germany at Milano Cortina 2026

During the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games, ICSSPE President Prof. Dr. Annette Hofmann met with the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and his wife, Elke Büdenbender. The meeting took place at the Goethe-Institut Milano, marking a significant moment of exchange on the role of sport, youth engagement, and volunteerism within the Olympic context.

 

The occasion was linked to the German Youth Olympic Camp, an initiative regularly organised by the German Olympic Academy (DOA) and the German Sports Youth (dsj). The camp brings together young people aged 15–19 who are actively involved in sport, either as athletes or as volunteers. Alongside attending Olympic competitions, participants engage in a comprehensive educational programme focused on Olympic values, civic responsibility, intercultural dialogue, and the broader societal role of sport.

 

In her dual capacity as ICSSPE President and representative of the German Olympic Academy, Prof. Dr. Hofmann welcomed President Steinmeier and Mrs. Büdenbender and accompanied the discussions with the youth participants. The visit provided space for an in-depth and dynamic exchange on current challenges and opportunities in sport, particularly with regard to youth development, civic engagement, and the strengthening of voluntary structures in sport.

 

For ICSSPE, this meeting highlights the continued relevance of values-based sport and education within the Olympic Movement. It also reinforces ICSSPE’s longstanding commitment to promoting sport as a vehicle for personal development, social responsibility, and international understanding.

 

By supporting initiatives that empower young athletes and volunteers, ICSSPE contributes to shaping the next generation of leaders in sport and physical activity, leaders who embody the principles of fairness, respect, inclusion, and solidarity that underpin the Olympic ideals.