The colors of the Structure shone brightly in Brussels…

On June 23, 2026, the Structure “In the Name of Alkis” had the honor of being in Brussels as a finalist at the European Union’s #BeActive EU Sport Awards and was awarded in the Peace category.

This distinction pertains to the organization and implementation of the 1st Road Race for the Panhellenic Sports Fan Day.

Out of 279 initiatives submitted from across Europe, 15 finalists were selected across 5 categories: Physical Activity, Inclusion, Volunteering, Across Generations, and Peace.

We are immensely proud because our selected initiative was among the very few (out of the 279 submitted across Europe) implemented WITHOUT ANY SUBSIDY from any European or Greek program.

We feel great joy, honor, and profound emotion, as this volunteer organization succeeded in gaining recognition at a European level, securing an award for our actions which offer large segments of our society the opportunity to mobilize and, through sports, demand a CHANGE in the culture of violence that we experienced with horror in the case of Alkis and which, unfortunately, continues to inflict such great harm on (primarily) young people.

Characteristically, the presenter of the awards also chose to highlight our central motto, “SPORTS UNITE – THEY DO NOT KILL,” during the presentation of the 3 finalists.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the European Union, our common homeland, for the recognition, the trust, and the strength it gives us to persevere. Let us not forget a highly symbolic fact: the first runner to cross the finish line in our race was a student from Spain, who was in Greece at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki via the European Erasmus program.

This award belongs to Alkis Kampanos, who constitutes a symbol of change and unity, to his family, and to all the volunteers for their efforts throughout these 4+ years.

A distinct honor was also marked by the warm words and the attention our work received from Dr. Athena Michaelidou, Minister of Education, Sports, and Youth of the Republic of Cyprus, and Ms. Anastasia Sissy Gika, Member of the Permanent Representation of Greece to the EU: Responsible for Education and Sports.

Finally, we aspire that, in the coming period, we will be able to implement a new pilot initiative addressing a contemporary scourge, continuing to utilize sports as a tool for prevention, unity, and social change.

Sports Unite – They Do Not Kill.

#BeActive #EUSportAwards #InTheNameOfAlkis #Unite19 #PanhellenicSportsFanDay #SportUnites #NoFanViolence #PeaceThroughSport

Announcement of Finalists – Peace Category: https://sport.ec.europa.eu/whats-new/news/beactive-eu-sport-awards-finalists-peace-2026
Summary of the Awards Event: https://sport.ec.europa.eu/whats-new/news/meet-the-inspiring-winners-of-beactive-eu-sport-awards

Ανακοίνωση Φιναλίστ – Κατηγορία Peace/Ειρήνη: https://sport.ec.europa.eu/whats-new/news/beactive-eu-sport-awards-finalists-peace-2026

Σύνοψη του event των βραβείων: https://sport.ec.europa.eu/whats-new/news/meet-the-inspiring-winners-of-beactive-eu-sport-awards