Last two months to submit your work for the AIPS Sport Media Awards!

LAUSANNE, September 4, 2024 – The seventh edition of the AIPS Sport Media Awards is now in its final phase, with submissions pouring in from across the globe. This prestigious event features eight senior categories spanning all platforms, alongside a dedicated category for Young Reporters. Special mentions and investigative work are also considered. The Awards are the highest honour in the sports media industry, with a record-breaking 140 nationalities participating in 2023.

Free entry – Participation is free, with no membership required. Journalists, videographers, and photographers worldwide are invited to submit their work.

Two entries per person – Each participant may submit up to two pieces using separate forms. These can be entered into the same category or different ones. However, if both entries are in the same category, only one can be shortlisted and presented to the Jury.

Five phases of judging – Each submission will be evaluated by a Panel of Experts and AIPS mentors. The first cut will see about 30 percent of the entries qualify for the longlist. The Executive Committee will then vote to narrow this down to a shortlist, with about 25 percent making it through. The 12-person Jury will then select the top 10 and the top 3. Finalists must confirm their availability to attend the awards ceremony in 2025, where the Jury will determine the winners on the eve of the event.

All languages welcome – As a global award, submissions in any language are accepted. While translating into English is recommended, it is not mandatory.

Dates – Eligible works must have been first published or broadcast between 5 November 2023 and 4 November 2024.

Deadline – Submissions close in two months, on 4 November 2024, at 22:00 Central European Time.

How to submit – All entries must be submitted via the dedicated website, www.aipsawards.com, after registering and using a separate form for each submission.

Categories – The senior categories are divided as follows: two for photography (Action Photo and Portfolio), two for writing (Best Colour Piece, Best Column), three for video (Short Feature Video, Athlete Profile, Documentary), and one for audio.

Prizes – Winners will receive an original trophy and prize money of USD 8,000; the second place will receive USD 3,000, and third place USD 2,000.

Young Reporters – Anyone born on or after 1 January 1995 can opt to submit one of their two entries into the Young Reporters Category.

Scholarships – Winners in the Young Reporters categories (Photography, Writing, and Broadcasting) will be awarded a career-boosting opportunity: a scholarship at a major international sports event. While these categories do not include second and third place awards, outstanding entries may still be recognised through AIPS Young Reporters Programmes and other opportunities.

Special Awards – These are not open for submissions. The ‘A Life In Sport’ award is a lifetime achievement honour for veterans. The ‘Investigative Reporting’ award recognises the power of investigative journalism worldwide, with winners chosen by AIPS President Gianni Merlo. Winners will receive a trophy but no monetary prize. There are no second or third place awards in these categories.

Continental rankings – Following the announcement of the Top 10 in each category, continental rankings will also be released, offering participants the chance to be celebrated at regional and national levels. Many journalists featured in these rankings have received invitations to participate in various AIPS Programmes and activities.

Special mentions – For the first time, Special Mentions will be recognised at a continental level, highlighting works that resonate with the core values of AIPS and its new partner, UNESCO. These values include defending human rights and gender equality, combating racism and discrimination, promoting clean sports, offering hope through sports, using sports to counter violence in conflict zones, reporting independently and freely, advocating for access to interview sources, contributing to the development of women’s sports, acknowledging the future of sports, uncovering original sports stories, raising mental health awareness, and presenting innovative approaches to sports reporting.

While these topics are not official categories, they will be considered in the final selection of Special Mention candidates.

Submit your work as soon as possible. We look forward to receiving your entries!