Elective National Council: three DSA representatives selected
- CONI
This morning, the Associated Sports Disciplines (DSA) convened in the CONI Salone d’Onore to elect their three representatives for the upcoming Elective National Council on 26 June.
Each of the following candidates was elected with three votes: Maria Osti (Equestrian Tourism and TREC – Ante), Enzo Casadidio (Traditional Games and Sports), and Edoardo Facchetti (Tamburello). Another candidate, Carla Gobbetto (Orienteering), received one vote, and one blank ballot was recorded. At the start of the Assembly, Alfio Giomi (Orienteering) withdrew his candidacy.
Of the 13 eligible voters, 11 cast their votes. Andrea Mancino, Commissioner of the Italian Bridge Federation, did not register to vote.
Elective National Council: five coaches selected, Luca Piscopo (FISSW) tops the vote
- CONI
The five coach representatives for the upcoming CONI Elective National Council on 26 June have been chosen.
The coaches gathered in the Aula Magna of the Giulio Onesti Olympic Preparation Centre—where the athletes’ assembly had been held earlier this morning—to cast their votes. The results were as follows: Luca Piscopo (surfing, water skiing and wakeboarding) with 26 votes, Cristina Pernazza (archery) 21, Maria Grazia Italiano (badminton) 19, Marta Pagnini (gymnastics) 18, and Sandro Cuomo (fencing) 17.
Out of 62 eligible voters, 55 participated in selecting their representatives for the National Council.
The highest-ranking candidates not elected were: Nicola Traina (Federkombat) 16 votes, Carlo Andrea Bordini (draughts) 15, Elena Barani (handball) 12, Orazio Ermanno Arancio (rugby) 10, Carlo Dal Pozzo (winter sports) 4, Raffaella Masciadri (basketball) 4, Giulia Quintavalle (judo) 2, Mirko Anelli (Federkombat) 0, and Silvia Epis (cycling) 0.
Elective National Council: ten athletes selected, Gregorio Paltrinieri (swimming) tops the vote
- CONI
The three-day election process began today at the Giulio Onesti Olympic Preparation Centre in Rome, where various assemblies are choosing their representatives for the CONI Elective National Council on 26 June.
The first to vote this morning were the athlete representatives, with 106 of the 119 eligible voters participating in the first round and 88 in the second.
In the first round, the following candidates were elected: Gregorio Paltrinieri (swimming) with 49 votes, Federico Pellegrino (winter sports) 42, Elena Cecchini (cycling) 37, Vittorio Andrea Vaccaro (golf) 37, Alessandro Lupino (motorcycling) 36, Valentina Marchei (ice sports) 36, Alessia Zecchini (sport fishing and underwater activities) 34, and Edoardo Roberto Buticchi (dynamic shooting) 28.
To ensure gender parity (5+5), a runoff was required between Camilla Bendazzoli (sport climbing), Nicole Campaner (modern pentathlon), and Chiara Virag (wakeboard), each having received 33 votes in the first round.
In the second round, Camilla Bendazzoli prevailed with 55 votes and Chiara Virag secured 44 votes, while Nicole Campaner was not elected, receiving 34 votes.
The ten athlete representatives elected to the National Council are therefore: Gregorio Paltrinieri (swimming), Federico Pellegrino (winter sports), Elena Cecchini (cycling), Vittorio Andrea Vaccaro (golf), Alessandro Lupino (motorcycling), Valentina Marchei (ice sports), Alessia Zecchini (sport fishing and underwater activities), Edoardo Roberto Buticchi (dynamic shooting), Camilla Bendazzoli (sport climbing), and Chiara Virag (wakeboard).
Candidates not elected include Nicole Campaner (modern pentathlon) 33 votes, Elena Pantaleo (federkombat) 31, Diana Bacosi (shooting) 27, Cristina Lenardon (handball) 26, Francesco Marrai (sailing) 24, and Luigi Busà (karate) 21.
Davis Cup champions Arnaldi and Bolelli awarded the Collare d'Oro by Malagò and Mornati
- TENNIS
The rising star and the seasoned veteran: a symbol of the present and future of a national team that has stood at the summit of world tennis for the past two years.
In a ceremony held in the Sala delle Fiaccole at the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) headquarters, Matteo Arnaldi was awarded the Collare d'Oro al Merito Sportivo (Golden Collar for Sporting Merit) for his pivotal role in Italy’s 2023 Davis Cup triumph. Simone Bolelli, meanwhile, received the prestigious honour not only for that same historic victory but also for contributing to Italy's latest success in 2024 — a testament to the country's growing dominance in the sport.
The awards were presented by CONI President Giovanni Malagò and General Secretary Carlo Mornati.
Arnaldi, born in Sanremo in 2001, played a decisive role in the thrilling campaign led by captain Filippo Volandri. Two seasons ago, Italy clinched the Davis Cup title by defeating Australia in the final, thanks to victories by Jannik Sinner over Alex de Minaur and Arnaldi’s crucial win against Alexei Popyrin.
For Bolelli, this marks the second and third Golden Collars of a distinguished career, having previously received the accolade for his Grand Slam victory in the 2015 Australian Open doubles alongside Fabio Fognini. A true stalwart of Italian tennis, Bolelli continues to be an indispensable figure both on and off the court.
Host City Contract signed: Lignano Sabbiadoro to host the EYOF from 24 July to 1 August 2027
- AT TRIESTE
CONI, the European Olympic Committees, the Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region, the town of Lignano Sabbiadoro and the EYOF 2027 Organising Committee have signed the Host City Contract for the summer edition of the 19th European Youth Olympic Festival, Lignano 2027.
The agreement was signed today in Trieste, at the Palazzo della Regione, by the President of CONI, Giovanni Malagò, the President of the European Olympic Committees, Spyros Kapralos, the President of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region, Massimiliano Fedriga, the Mayor of Lignano Sabbiadoro, Laura Giorgi, and the President of the Lignano 2027 Bid Committee, Giorgio Brandolin. Also a signatory, though not present in person, was the Secretary General of the European Olympic Committees, Carlo Mornati.
Twenty-two years after the extraordinary 2005 edition, the most important multidisciplinary event dedicated to young European athletes will return to Lignano Sabbiadoro from 24 July to 1 August 2027.
The popular Friulian resort town secured the bid thanks to its existing facilities and venues, strong logistics and long-standing experience hosting major global multi-sport events. The decision was made at the General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees held in Bucharest, Romania, last June.
Sonego honoured with Collare d'Oro for Davis Cup triumph. Malagò: “Thank you for what you’ve done and what you will do”
- TENNIS
Lorenzo Sonego has officially joined his teammates in receiving the Collare d’Oro al Merito Sportivo (Golden Collar for Sporting Merit), marking the final presentation to members of Italy’s victorious 2023 Davis Cup team.
Following honours given to Lorenzo Musetti, Matteo Berrettini and Jannik Sinner, the Turin-born tennis player was welcomed to CONI’s Sala delle Fiaccole in Rome, where he received the highest accolade in Italian sport from CONI President Giovanni Malagò and General Secretary Carlo Mornati.
Sonego played a key role in Captain Filippo Volandri’s squad that brought the Davis Cup back to Italy in 2023, after a 47-year wait since the nation’s only previous victory in 1976. He was especially instrumental in the doubles, partnering with current ATP World No.1 Jannik Sinner.
A former World No.21 (achieved in 2021), Sonego has won four ATP Tour titles, in addition to three Challenger and three Futures crowns.
“Congratulations,” said President Malagò. “Thank you, Lorenzo, for what you’ve achieved and for what you will go on to achieve. I hope you’ll win many more Golden Collars in the future.”
Sinner receives Collare d'Oro from Malagò and Mornati. World no.1: “A prestigious honour that goes beyond individual achievements”
- TENNIS
The world’s top-ranked tennis player. The protagonist of a stellar 2024 season. A young man rewriting the history of Italian sport. Jannik Sinner has been awarded the Collare d’Oro al Merito Sportivo by CONI President Giovanni Malagò and General Secretary Carlo Mornati. His coach, Simone Vagnozzi, received the Palma d’Oro al Merito Tecnico for outstanding technical merit.
Sinner, the first Italian in history to reach No.1 in the ATP world rankings, was welcomed to the Sala delle Fiaccole at CONI headquarters alongside his coach and part of his team, for the official presentation of Italy’s most prestigious sporting honour. The recognition comes in the wake of Italy’s Davis Cup victories in 2023 and 2024, as well as Sinner’s Grand Slam triumphs at the Australian Open and US Open.
Together with teammates Lorenzo Musetti, Matteo Berrettini, Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori, under the leadership of Captain Filippo Volandri, the 2001-born star from South Tyrol has led Team Italy to global success. Yet beyond team honours, the constant achievements by Italian players in singles, doubles, and mixed events continue to raise the national flag high on courts around the world.
“This is definitely one of the most prestigious awards of my career,” said Sinner. “But it goes beyond personal success. It’s really special to share victories while wearing the Azzurri jersey. The support I’ve received from the Italian public over the years has been a huge source of strength—especially during difficult times. Last year wasn’t easy, and the most beautiful part of it all was being able to celebrate those triumphs with the fans. Not just when things go well. That’s what makes it so special”.
Jannik Sinner al CONI per ritirare i Collari d'Oro 2023 e 2024
Collare d'Oro awarded to Berrettini for Davis Cup victory. Malagò: “He has done so much for Italian tennis”
- TENNIS
Following Lorenzo Musetti, it was Matteo Berrettini’s turn to be honoured. The Italian tennis star was welcomed at the Sala delle Fiaccole of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) headquarters in Rome by CONI President Giovanni Malagò to receive the Collare d’Oro al Merito Sportivo (Golden Collar for Sporting Merit).
The highest accolade in Italian sport was awarded to the 2021 Wimbledon finalist in recognition of Italy’s triumph in the 2024 Davis Cup, secured alongside teammates Jannik Sinner, Simone Bolelli, Andrea Vavassori, the aforementioned Lorenzo Musetti, and Captain Filippo Volandri.
“We are honoured to bestow the highest sporting distinction on Matteo, who has won the Davis Cup and contributed greatly to the development of Italian tennis,” said President Malagò. “Our hope is that this is just the first of many honours to come”.
Musetti breaks into ATP Top10 and receives the Collare d'Oro from Malagò and Mornati for Davis Cup triumph. CONI President: “We are proud of you”
- TENNIS
Monday 5 May 2025 will be a date Lorenzo Musetti is unlikely to forget.
Thanks to a series of outstanding performances over the past 12 months, the Italian tennis star has broken into the ATP Top 10 for the first time in his career, climbing to ninth place in the world rankings. He now sits just behind Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Taylor Fritz, Jack Draper, Novak Djokovic, Casper Ruud, and Alex de Minaur.
The bronze medallist at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games becomes the sixth Italian in history to achieve this milestone, following in the footsteps of Adriano Panatta, Corrado Barazzutti, Fabio Fognini, Matteo Berrettini, and Jannik Sinner.
Fresh from reaching the final of the Monte Carlo Masters 1000 and the semi-final in Madrid, the 23-year-old from Carrara—set to compete next at the Internazionali d’Italia at the Foro Italico—was welcomed to the Sala delle Fiaccole at CONI headquarters in Rome. There, he received the Collare d’Oro al Merito Sportivo (Golden Collar for Sporting Merit), the highest honour in Italian sport, presented by CONI President Giovanni Malagò and General Secretary Carlo Mornati.
The award recognises Musetti’s key role in Italy’s victorious 2024 Davis Cup campaign, which he won alongside teammates Jannik Sinner, Matteo Berrettini, Simone Bolelli, and Andrea Vavassori under the leadership of Captain Filippo Volandri. On the same occasion, Musetti also received the 'Collare d'Oro' for 2023, awarded to the Italian national team for returning to the top of world tennis after their only previous triumph in 1976.
“We are very, very, very proud of you,” said CONI President Malagò in his message to Musetti.
Malagò opens second edition of Olympic Management Course: “An excellence and a flagship for CONI”
- INTITOLATO A FRANCO CHIMENTI
“The Olympic Management Course is an outstanding initiative, a true flagship of CONI.” With these words, CONI President Giovanni Malagò officially opened the second edition of the Olympic Management Course, dedicated to the memory of Franco Chimenti.
Italy’s top sports official addressed the class following an opening introduction by CONI General Secretary Carlo Mornati. The course, run by CONI’s High School for Olympic Specialisation, aims to train highly qualified professionals who can actively contribute to the success of sport and the national Olympic team.
The programme is designed for twenty participants—graduates and elite athletes who have taken part in at least one Summer or Winter Olympic Games. It spans 300 hours, divided into nine modules, and requires full-time attendance and residential participation at the Giulio Onesti Olympic Preparation Centre in Rome.
The course provides an in-depth understanding of the Olympic System both nationally and internationally, with a strong focus on the governance of CONI and other sports institutions. It aims to enhance participants' comprehension of sport, Olympic values, and relevant regulations, while developing expertise in key areas such as legal frameworks, finance, marketing, innovation, management, and contracts—across all levels of ability and disability.
“There is an opportunity for you, as students, to take part in a placement during the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, just as last year’s class did in Paris,” Malagò added. “You will be immersed in a truly exceptional environment. Only the Olympic Committee can offer this kind of specialist training, and the calibre of the teaching staff brings added value. General Secretary Carlo Mornati has always supported this initiative, which reflects the prestige, history and international standing of CONI’s educational path. The people speaking to you today are directly involved in the sporting world. This course is genuinely unique. We are on the ground, on the front line. We live and breathe this reality”.
Before leaving, President Malagò also paid tribute to the late Franco Chimenti, for whom the course is named:
"He was my long-serving Vice President at CONI, the historic President of the Italian Golf Federation, President of CONI Servizi, and President of the 2023 Ryder Cup, which was a resounding success. It is absolutely right to honour those who helped shape and elevate our sporting world. It is no coincidence that we also named the road in front of the Aula Magna at the Olympic Preparation Centre after Franco Chimenti".
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