Errigo and Tamberi, chosen as the Italian flag-bearers for Paris 2024, set to receive the Tricolore from Mattarella on 13 Jun

• ITALIA TEAM

Olympic flame for Paris 2024 lit in symbolic ceremony in Ancient Olympia

• OLYMPIC GAMES

On the eve of 100 days to go, the flame for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 has been lit. It was ignited at the historic birthplace of the Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia in Greece. The Olympic flame, embodying peace and hope, will now journey across Greece before coming to France. After arriving in Marseille on 8 May, it will travel across the entire country, and some French overseas territories, arriving at the Opening Ceremony in Paris on 26 July.

Amongst the dignitaries attending this historic event today were International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, President of the Hellenic Republic, Her Excellency Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the Vice President of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas, Paris 2024 Organising Committee President, Tony Estanguet, President of the French National Olympic Committee and IOC Member, David Lappartient, the IOC Members in France, Guy Drut and Jean-Christophe Rolland, the French Minister of Sports and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, the Chair of the IOC’s Paris 2024 Coordination Commission, Pierre-Olivier Beckers Vieujant and the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo.

In his speech, in front of thousands of people, President Bach highlighted Paris 2024’s dedication to upholding the Olympic values and fostering global unity: "The Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. The Olympic athletes send this powerful message: yes, it is possible to compete fiercely against each other and at the same time live peacefully together under one roof. The athletes will shine and show us what greatness humans are capable of with all their excellence, determination and resilience".

He continued: “This power of sport will make the Olympic Games Paris 2024 a great symbol of human excellence and unity of all humankind in all our diversity. These expectations are shared by billions of people around the world. In these difficult times we are living through, with wars and conflicts on the rise, people are fed up with all the hate, the aggression and negative news they are facing day in and day out. In their hearts – in all our hearts – we are longing for something which brings us together. We are longing for something that is unifying. We are longing for something that gives us hope”.

President Bach also spoke of the unified commitment to the success of Paris 2024, praising the innovative spirit of the Organising Committee, expressing confidence in France’s preparations and acknowledging the growing anticipation ahead of this summer’s Games.

He said: “This Olympic flame will carry this Olympic spirit from here, our ancient roots, through all of France and finally to Paris – making the City of Light shine even brighter. The Olympic flame will shine over the first Olympic Games inspired by our Olympic Agenda reforms from start to finish. These Olympic Games will be younger, more inclusive, more urban, more sustainable. These will be the very first Olympic Games with full gender parity, because the IOC allocated exactly 50 per cent of the places to female and male athletes”.

The ceremony also provided an opportunity to acknowledge the work being done by Paris 2024, together with stakeholders from the sporting, political and social sectors in France, in realising an important objective of Olympic Agenda 2020: creating a legacy well before the Olympic competitions have even started. Paris 2024’s concept of delivering “Games Wide Open” has engaged millions of people already by promoting physical activity, education, inclusion, equality and sustainability.

Paris 2024 Organising Committee President Tony Estanguet also spoke at the ceremony, sharing the collective anticipation of the host nation. He said: “France is ready to welcome the Olympic Games, a hundred years after the last summer edition on our soil. It is with great pride and honour that we will be hosting the Olympic Games in the country of their founder, Pierre de Coubertin, where we keep a very strong and special link with Olympism. After the first participation of women in the Games at Paris 1900 and the creation of the first Athletes' Village for Paris 1924, we are ready to write a new chapter in the great Olympic history with the third Games in Paris, France. We want to thank the IOC and Thomas Bach for the enduring help and support, all these years, which have allowed us to conceive and create Games that are not only spectacular, but also more responsible, notably from an environmental point of view, which will make them all the more exceptional. Together, we will organise great Games, and it starts today, with the Olympic Torch Relay”.

The lighting ceremony, held at the Temple of Hera, paid homage to the Olympic Games' Greek heritage, reinforcing the profound link between ancient traditions and the modern Games. The flame was kindled by the high priestess and, along with an olive branch symbolising peace, was passed to the first torchbearer.

This honour was given to Greek rower, Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallist Stefanos Douskos, who then passed it on to Laure Manaudou, the first French torchbearer on Greek soil and an Olympic champion at Athens 2004. The flame will now travel onwards, first embarking upon an 11-day journey across Greece, during which the flame will be carried over 5,000 kilometres, through 43 municipalities.

The Olympic flame will then be passed on to the Paris 2024 Organising Committee at an official handover ceremony in the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens before it boards the historic French three-masted ship, Belem. It’s voyage across the Mediterranean will then begin, a journey reflecting the enduring friendship between Greece and France, arriving in the port of Marseille on 8 May, marking the beginning of celebratory festivities in the host nation.

Around 10,000 torchbearers will then carry the Olympic flame over the following 69 days. The route will take them through around 400 cities, across 65 regions in France, and includes visits to six overseas territories (Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, French Polynesia, Réunion and New Caledonia).

The Olympic Games Paris 2024 begin on 26 July and will continue until 11 August. Thereafter, the Paralympic Games will take place from 28 August until 8 September.

Paris 2024 Olympic Flame Lighting ceremony

• SYMBOLIC MOMENT

The lighting of the Olympic flame is a symbolic moment that has been a tradition of the Olympic Games since 1936. The flame not only represents the positive values that man has always associated with the symbolism of fire, such as peace and friendship, but also acts as a link between the ancient and modern Games.

The Olympic flame that will burn throughout the Olympic Games Paris 2024 will be lit during a ceremony on Tuesday 16 April in an ritual that harks back to the traditions of Ancient Greece.

The idea for the Olympic flame itself comes from the ceremonies of the ancient Olympic Games, which took place in Olympia, Greece on the very site where the Olympic flame lighting ceremony will take place for Paris 2024.

EOC Executive Committee awards 2027 European Games to Istanbul

• FOURTH EDITION

The European Olympic Committees (EOC) Executive Committee (ExCom) at the meeting held on March 20th unanimously awarded the 4th edition of the European Games, in 2027, to Istanbul.

The carefully-considered decision was taken after EOC Sport Director, Peter Brüll, presented a detailed evaluation report to the ExCom. The report follows an evaluation visit to Istanbul by a delegation of EOC experts in early March. The EOC experts looked at all aspects of the city’s capabilities to host the Games including venues, transport, security, accommodation and athlete facilities.

Commenting on the ExCom decision, EOC President Spyros Capralos said: “The EOC is delighted to have approved Istanbul’s candidature to host the European Games 2027. It is a great news for both Europe’s athletes and the city. Istanbul and Turkey have long been good friends of international sport, with Istanbul having woven sport into the fabric of everyday life for the benefit of its citizens. We know it will be the perfect place for Europe’s best athletes to shine in 2027”.

Further building on the success of Kraków-Malopolska 2023, the EOC and the Istanbul team resolved to ensure an even higher proportion of the competitions serve as qualification events for the Olympic Games LA 2028. This would enable future Turkish Olympians to qualify on home soil, supported by a home audience that includes friends and family.

Istanbul’s venue plan for the European Games 2027 would see no additional construction beyond the venues either already built or already planned for the city.

The Executive Committee’s decision will be presented to the EOC General Assembly in Bucharest in June, for final approval and signing of the relevant contracts.

Photo ANSA

Kite: Riccardo Pianosi and Maggie Eillen Pescetto selected for the Olympic Games

• SAILING

It will be Riccardo Pianosi and Maggie Eillen Pescetto defending the colours of the Italia team in the men's and women's kite races at the Olympic Games.

The Italian sailors chosen for Paris 2024 (although the sailing competitions will be held in Marseille) are the same individuals who secured their Olympic berths at last year's World Championships.

“This is a particularly happy moment in my career,” says Pianosi, fresh from his third consecutive European medal. “Knowing that I will be representing my country at the Olympic Games is a source of great pride. I can't really find the right words to describe this moment, but I feel I must thank everyone who has been close to me: my family and my girlfriend, who have always given me a hand, even in difficult moments, enabling me to achieve this goal. Thanks to the federation and the Navy who made this possible. I'm looking forward to the Games and, dare I say, aiming for a noteworthy performance. I think I can do it and bring home a great result for my country.”

Pescetto was also enthusiastic: “Being able to represent Italy at the Olympic Games is news that left me speechless. The dedication and effort of these years have finally paid off with an opportunity that enables me to fulfil a dream that began long ago. I had discussed it with my grandfather, my greatest supporter and the individual to whom I wholeheartedly dedicate this moment: I knew the road would be long, but he has always supported me as well as my family and my mother, in particular, who has always been close to me. There were challenging moments, as it's natural for any athlete to experience, but all those difficulties fade away when you achieve such a prestigious goal. The great happiness will turn into motivation to give my best”.

World Cup, mission accomplished for the Italian sabre fencers: all of Italy's teams have qualified for Paris

• FENCING

The last stage of Olympic qualification for the men's sabre national team closed with a smile.

The quartet of Luigi Samele, Luca Curatoli, Pietro Torre and Michele Gallo, who were competing in the World Cup on the Budapest (Hungary) pistes, managed to win the ticket for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Italy’s (photo FIS) path in the team competition began with a commanding 45-33 triumph over China, only to be halted in the quarter-finals by the United States, who clinched the victory with a score of 45-39.

For coach Nicola Zanotti's boys, the subsequent elimination of Germany in the semifinals, beaten 45-39 by South Korea, was decisive, allowing the Italian team to consolidate its status as the best European nation behind the top four teams in the world ranking.

Italian fencing has achieved a clean sweep in Olympic qualifications, securing spots for the foil teams, as well as those of epee and sabre for women. Just like in Tokyo 2020, they'll be heading to the French capital with all six of their representatives.

Doha World Championships, 10 km: Acerenza and Verani deliver two Olympic passes to Italia Team

• MARATHON SWIMMING

Italy did not fail to show up in the men's 10 km of marathon swimming.

At the World Championships in Doha, Qatar, Domenico Acerenza (photo Federnuoto) swam an excellent race without ever losing contact with the leading group and eventually finished in seventh place with a time of 1:48:30.40.

Also doing well was the other Italian athlete in the race, Dario Verani, who, thanks to a splendid second half of the race, finished right behind his national teammate, in eighth place with a time of 1:48:30.80.

Their respective final positions guarantee an Olympic pass apiece (nation place) for the Italia Team for Paris 2024. That means two more Olympic quota spots in addition to the one won in the women's race by Arianna Bridi.

Olympic pass for Antonio Esposito: the Italian will be in Paris 2024

• JUDO

The number of Italian judo athletes qualified for Paris 2024 has risen to eight.

After Manuel Lombardo, Christian Parlati, Alice Bellandi, Odette Giuffrida, Assunta Scutto, Asya Tavano, and Veronica Toniolo, Antonio Esposito has clinched the Olympic pass in the -81 kg category.

Protagonist of an excellent start to the season made even more precious by his victory at the Linz Grand Prix and consequent entry into the top 10 of the Olympic qualification ranking, the 2018 Tel Aviv European bronze medallist, who secured Italy a place for the French Games in his weight category, has been officially selected by the FIJLKAM National Technical Directorate.

The selection of Esposito (photo IJF) for the Olympic team is final, regardless of any potential alterations in the Olympic Ranking List, even if it benefits other Azzurri. This choice guarantees him a tailored preparation, ensuring an optimal approach to the prestigious event.

Women's Sabre World Cup: National team makes it to the quarter-finals in Sint-Niklaas and qualifies for the Olympic Games

• FENCING

Italian fencing wins another spot at Paris 2024.

With both the Italian foil and epee teams already qualified for the Olympic Games, it was the turn of the women's sabre national team to reach the goal in the last Olympic Qualification stage of the World Cup.

On the piste in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium, Michela Battiston, Martina Criscio, Chiara Mormile and Irene Vecchi (photo Federscherma) beat Greece 45-32, then were defeated 45-41 by Hungary in the quarter-finals. Ukraine's simultaneous victory over the United States in the same round sealed the outcome: Italy go to the Olympics.

The team's qualification allowed coach Nicola Zanotti to field three athletes in the individual Olympic competition.

At this point, only one team is missing for a clean sweep: next weekend in Budapest, the men's national sabre team will compete for the same goal. If the outcome is favourable, the Italian team will join all fencing teams in Paris.

Italia Team exceeds quota number 200! The Italian triathlon mixed relay team flies to Paris 2024

• HISTORIC QUALIFICATION

Italia Team exceeds quota number 200! The triathlon mixed relay team has secured the crucial Olympic spots necessary to surpass Italy's quota of 200 qualifiers for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. With the 4 national slots secured by the triathlon (2 per gender), the total count of Italia Team athletes participating in the French Olympic event now stands at 203, comprising 102 women and 101 men.

The official statement was released by World Triathlon, which, after the cancellation of the World Triathlon Championship Series, Para Cup, and Mixed Relay stage in Abu Dhabi due to adverse weather conditions, has opted, following consultations with the Technical and Athletes Committee, not to reschedule the event. This choice respects the original closing date of the relay ranking, set for March 25th.

With no further events on the calendar, the ranking is now “frozen”, and Italy, currently in eighth place, sits behind Great Britain (runner-up at the 2022 World Championships), Germany (winner of the 2023 World Championships), and France (host country). Italy is among the top six nations in the ranking, guaranteeing direct qualification for Paris 2024. Each gender will have two athletes participating in the individual events.

This marks a historic achievement for FITRI (photo ANSA), as its athletes qualify for the Olympics without the need for repechage or individual rankings for the first time. Furthermore, the team will participate in the mixed specialty, which was introduced into the Olympic program in Tokyo 2020.