European Athletics welcomed a new group of senior leaders to its headquarters in Lausanne on 5–6 May as part of its ongoing Onboarding Programme, an initiative designed to support newly elected or appointed officials in building strong, collaborative relationships with the continental body.
The programme brought together representatives from seven Member Federations—Andorra, Romania, Malta, Bulgaria, Serbia, Portugal and Finland—offering them a comprehensive introduction to the organisation’s structure, strategy and key activities.
Among those attending were Mr Josep Maria Missé Cortina and Mrs Ariadna Fenés Areny (Andorra), Mrs Constantina Dita and Mr Inocentiu Ioan Voinea (Romania), Mr Mario Bonello (Malta), Mr Iliyan Pishtikov (Bulgaria), Mr Jovan Kantar (Serbia), Mr Pedro Berjano (Portugal) and Mrs Riikka Pakarinen (Finland).
A platform for connection and shared vision
President Dobromir Karamarinov was pleased to host the group. “Welcoming new leadership is always an important and inspiring moment for our athletics family,” he said.
“I am delighted to greet representatives from seven Member Federations: Andorra, Romania, Malta, Bulgaria, Serbia, Portugal and Finland at our headquarters in Lausanne as part of our European Athletics Onboarding programme.
“This is a great opportunity to connect, share experiences, and strengthen our common vision for the future of athletics in Europe. I wish all participants a productive and inspiring journey ahead.”
The Onboarding Programme, led by European Athletics, is specifically designed to ensure that incoming Presidents, General Secretaries and CEOs are quickly integrated into the European athletics framework, with direct access to expertise, resources and strategic guidance.
Immersive two-day programme
Following arrivals on 4 May, the core activities took place across 5–6 May, combining presentations, discussions and networking opportunities.
On Tuesday (5), participants visited the European Athletics office, beginning with a tour and high-level overview delivered by the President and CEO. The day continued with sessions covering governance, development, marketing, communications, and competitions and bidding, alongside opportunities to engage directly with senior staff and directors.
The programme concluded on Wednesday (6) with a cultural visit to the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, followed by a networking lunch—offering further opportunities for informal exchange and relationship-building.
Supporting leaders from day one
Highlighting the importance of early engagement, European Athletics CEO Christian Milz praised the initiative. “The Onboarding Programme is a cornerstone of how we support our Member Federations,” he said.
“By engaging with new leaders from the very beginning, we can build strong, transparent and constructive relationships that benefit the entire athletics community.
“It ensures that every federation feels connected, informed and empowered to contribute to the continued growth of our sport across Europe.”
By combining strategic insight with personal interaction, the programme reflects European Athletics’ commitment to unity, knowledge-sharing and long-term development—ensuring that new leaders are equipped to drive athletics forward within their respective nations and across the continent.