Mission, Values, and Ethics
Values that make a difference
GalAthletics Bellinzona’s commitment to inclusive, responsible, and sustainable sport.
The heart of athletics
beats in Bellinzona
On August 30, 2026, international track and field returns to breathe the unique air of Ticino. GalAthletics Bellinzona is not just a recurring sporting event, but one of the best meetings in the world: an appointment where “small” Bellinzona becomes the center of the sporting universe, hosting the greatest Olympic and World champions in a legendary atmosphere.
Athletics lives thanks to the people who choose to dedicate themselves to this sport with passion, consistency, and long-term vision. GalAthletics Bellinzona, inheriting the historic Galà dei Castelli, is born and grows from this shared commitment, with the goal of strengthening and promoting track and field throughout Ticino and Switzerland, in both its competitive and grassroots dimensions.
Our Responsibility
Beyond the annual meeting, promoting the movement throughout the year is of fundamental importance. Through projects like the UBS Kids Cup and close collaboration with the GAB (Gruppo Atletico Bellinzona), we enable hundreds of thousands of children and young people each year to discover track and field. Our goal is to create lasting enthusiasm for sport and promote an active lifestyle.
We are fully aware that organizing an international event brings significant challenges regarding climate and the environment. For this reason, we have chosen to act with transparency and determination, basing our operations on three core commitments:
- Constant promotion of athletics: We value this discipline as a fundamental pillar for the physical and personal growth of the individual.
- Assuming social responsibility: We actively support the community and new generations, creating opportunities for growth and inclusion through sport.
- Continuous reduction of our ecological footprint: We adopt innovative and concrete solutions to minimize the environmental impact of every edition, protecting the territory that hosts us.
Our Mission
Our mission is to strengthen athletics as a lifelong sport, capable of accompanying people through every stage of their journey, and to inspire new generations through positive, inclusive, and responsible examples.
Our commitment starts with the youngest: we support and promote the participation of children through the Kid’s GalAthletics Bellinzona and the pre-meeting races organized in collaboration with the Ticino Athletics Federation. We believe that offering young athletes an authentic, engaging, and well-organized experience is a concrete investment in the future of sport.
Equality and Respect
The GalAthletics Bellinzona Committee is committed year-round to operating with respect for gender equality, both within the executive board and in collaboration with the volunteers who make the event possible.
We promote an environment based on respect, fairness, and collaboration, convinced that sporting ethics begins with the organization and is reflected in every aspect of the event.
Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility
Every edition of GalAthletics is designed with deep attention to its impact on the region.
Our commitment is to progressively reduce our ecological footprint through concrete and responsible measures, so that future generations can continue to live and practice sport in a healthy environment. In this journey, the United Nations 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals represent our strategic compass, with a priority focus on seven fundamental pillars:
Health and Well-being
Athletics, with its fundamental movements, is the ideal base for physical well-being. We promote a healthy and active lifestyle for the entire community.
Gender Equality
We guarantee equal dignity and access to every discipline, reflecting this balance both in our leadership and among the volunteers.
Reduced Inequalities
Athletics is a universal language. We promote the inclusion of every athlete and emerging talent, regardless of their economic or social background.
Sustainable Cities and Communities
We believe in sport as a social glue and work to ensure the event strengthens the cohesion and attractiveness of our territory.
Responsible Consumption and Production
We minimize food waste by prioritizing the regional supply chain and choose sustainable or reusable materials for all organizational aspects.
Partnerships for the Goals
We collaborate with sponsors and stakeholders who share our vision to reach increasingly ambitious sustainability targets.
A Concrete Ecological Strategy
Our transition toward a low-impact event is demonstrated through eco-friendly catering (with a wide range of vegetarian and vegan options), the incentivization of public transport, and a drastic reduction in resource consumption, limiting the production of physical materials in favor of digitization.
Social Sustainability
Our commitment to social sustainability translates into concrete actions so that young people in Ticino can pursue their dreams and develop their potential, in sport and in life.
For this reason, 2026 sees the return of the long-awaited Kid’s Galà: a unique occasion where local young athletes become protagonists, training side-by-side with Swiss athletics stars and the Olympic and World champions of GalAthletics.
This initiative transforms the legendary atmosphere of great champions into a motor for grassroots athletics growth throughout Ticino. By sharing effort and smiles on the track, we promote a sustainable and inclusive sporting future, where the inspiration of great legends becomes the lifeblood for tomorrow’s generations.
Recognitions
The value of GalAthletics Bellinzona is confirmed by the leaders of international athletics, who consistently place it among the elite of global competitions.
The meeting is part of the prestigious World Athletics Continental Tour with Silver Meeting status, a recognition that identifies it as one of the most important events in the world, immediately following the Diamond League.
The organizational quality and the extraordinary level of track performances have allowed GalAthletics Bellinzona to achieve exceptional milestones: the event ranked 23rd in the world ranking of best meetings compiled by World Athletics. It is a result that transforms our city into a benchmark for elite sport, demonstrating how the passion and vision of Ticino can compete with the largest metropolises on the international circuit.