In an unprecedented milestone for Chilean science, Chile has been chosen to host the 39th World Congress of Sports Medicine, positioning Santiago as the epicenter of international debate from September 24 to 27. This event, the most significant in the field worldwide, will be held in the country for the first time to address a cutting-edge agenda that includes such critical topics as the impact of artificial intelligence on health, the prevention of sudden death in athletes, medicine in professional soccer, advanced nutrition, and the controversial return of mandatory genetic sex testing in elite competitions.
Under the theme “Sports Medicine for Everybody,” the conference will not only address high performance but also aims to make scientific knowledge accessible to all so that it can be applied to improving the quality of life for the entire population.
The event will feature leading figures from FIFA, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Among the confirmed experts who will lead the discussion in Santiago are world-renowned figures such as Andy Massey, FIFA’s medical director; Margo Mountjoy, the IOC’s lead expert on women’s health; and Fabio Pigozzi, president of the International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS).
For Dr. Marcelo Sajuria, president of the Chilean Congress, this event marks a turning point in the country’s medical history: “This Congress places us in a privileged position on the world stage, allowing us to lead debates that are urgent today for the integrity of sports and public health. Our mission is clear: we want to establish the idea that sports are the most powerful preventive tool we have; this knowledge cannot be confined to stadiums—it must reach every corner of the population to improve their quality of life.”
This international event also serves as direct recognition of Chile’s organizational capabilities, as demonstrated during the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, positioning the country as an outstanding host for high-level scientific conferences that combine global collaboration with the city’s unique experience.
The conference brings together a strategic and diverse community ranging from medical specialists, physical therapists, and nutritionists to coaches, academics, and specialized journalists, cementing Santiago’s status as a meeting place for the global scientific community. The medicine of the future will not only be researched—it will be put into practice—and this historic conversation will take place for the first time on Chilean soil.
