Throughout the two-day programme, the congress agenda addressed several thematic areas directly connected to the objectives of the PORTAL project. Sessions dedicated to athletes’ life skills, dual careers, mental health, inclusion, and innovation in sport provided a valuable framework for exchanging perspectives on how to better support athletes during and after their sporting careers.
Discussions on inclusion, social responsibility, and human-centred approaches in sport strongly resonated with PORTAL’s mission to support Olympians facing fewer opportunities, including those without medals, with limited educational or employment pathways, or experiencing physical and mental health challenges. The emphasis on creating more inclusive and supportive sport environments reinforced the relevance of PORTAL’s long-term vision of fostering social inclusion and active citizenship among Olympians.
Innovation and digitalisation featured prominently in the agenda, particularly in sessions exploring the role of technology in modern sport ecosystems. These exchanges closely align with PORTAL’s development of an inclusive online platform combined with personalised, face-to-face support through Real Life Transition Officers, ensuring accessibility, flexibility, and tailored assistance for athletes in transition.
By participating in the European Sport Congress 2025, the PORTAL consortium strengthened its engagement within the European sport community, exchanged best practices with cross-sector stakeholders, and further positioned the project within ongoing European discussions on athlete wellbeing, dual careers, and sustainable post-retirement support systems. The insights gained from the congress contribute directly to the continued development and implementation of PORTAL’s tools, pilot actions, and long-term support framework.
