The director of the international sports film festival Sportfilm Liberec, Renata Balašová, took part at the beginning of June in the prestigious international conference “GenerAZIONE 2026 – Sport powered by Youth and Education”, which took place in the Italian cities of Treviso and Verona as part of the Cultural Olympiad of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The event was organized by the international sports film federation FICTS (Fédération Internationale Cinéma Télévision Sportifs) under the leadership of its president, Prof. Franco Ascani, a member of the International Olympic Committee’s Commission for Culture and Olympic Heritage. The three-day programme was attended by representatives of the Olympic movement, universities, sports organizations, and cultural institutions from around the world.

The main theme of the international gathering was the legacy of the Olympic Games and its importance for future generations. Discussions focused on the role of sport, culture, education, innovation, and artificial intelligence in promoting Olympic values, developing communities, and supporting young people.

During the conference, Renata Balašová presented the experience of Sportfilm Liberec as an important European platform connecting sport, film, and education. In her presentation, she highlighted the importance of sports films as a tool for preserving Olympic memory, promoting fair play values, and supporting intergenerational and intercultural dialogue.

“It was a great honour for me to represent the Czech Republic and Sportfilm Liberec among such important figures from the Olympic and cultural world. The conference confirmed that sport is not only about results and medals, but above all about values, education, and inspiration for the younger generation,” said Renata Balašová.

In addition to President Ascani, the speakers included Maria Bulatova, Vice President of the Ukrainian Olympic Committee, Christopher Samuda, President of the Jamaican Olympic Committee, as well as representatives from the USA, Brazil, Norway, Serbia, and other countries where sports film festivals are held.

The programme also included the prestigious ceremony awarding the highest FICTS honour, the Guirlande d'Honneur, to four-time Olympic medallist and President of the Italian Rowing Federation, Rossano Galtarossa.

The conference also opened new opportunities for international cooperation between Sportfilm Liberec, FICTS, and the upcoming platform Observatory for Sport and Cultural Values – The Road of the Games (OCS), whose aim is to develop the cultural and social legacy of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games in the long term.

The visit also included the symbolic presentation of Czech gifts to prominent figures from the international sports and cultural community. Renata Balašová presented FICTS President Prof. Franco Ascani and the President of the Treviso–Belluno Dolomiti Chamber of Commerce, Mario Pozzo, with a commemorative coin featuring Věra Čáslavská, produced by the Czech Mint. The coin commemorates the legacy of the seven-time Olympic champion and patron of the prestigious Věra Čáslavská Ray of Courage and Hope Award, which Sportfilm Liberec presents annually to sports personalities for their outstanding contribution to society. The presentation of the coin was also a gesture of appreciation for the long-term support of sports and cultural values that FICTS and Sportfilm jointly promote at the international level.

At the end of the conference, Renata Balašová invited FICTS President Prof. Franco Ascani and Secretary General Enzo Cappiello to the upcoming edition of the Sportfilm Festival Liberec, which will take place from 30 September to 4 October 2026.

“The meeting in Italy confirmed that Sportfilm Liberec is a respected part of the international FICTS family and an important partner in promoting Olympic and sports values not only in the Czech Republic but also abroad,” added Renata Balašová.