Azzurre épée champions at the Grand Palais: Italy beats France in overtime for the gold medal

• FENCING

Italy climbs to the top of the podium in the women's épée team event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

On the piste of the Grand Palais, gold went to the quartet of Rossella Fiamingo, Alberta Santuccio, Giulia Rizzi, and Mara Navarria, who, after decisively defeating Egypt (39-26) and China (45-24) in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, respectively, triumphed over the host nation France in a tension-filled final with a 30-29 victory in overtime. 

For the Azzurra women’s épée team (photo by Luca Pagliaricci/CONI), this result surpasses their previous best, the silver from Atlanta 1996, marking their best ever Olympic achievement. It means that Italia Team has secured its 11th medal of this Paris edition, and its third gold, following the victories in swimming by Nicolò Martinenghi (100m breaststroke) and Thomas Ceccon (100m backstroke).

Foil: Filippo Macchi wins silver and steps onto the Olympic podium for the first time

• FENCING

Filippo Macchi nearly pulled off a remarkable feat at the Paris 2024 Games.

At the Grand Palais, the 22-year-old from Pontedera secured silver, earning his first Olympic career medal on his debut. 

After receiving a bye in the first round, the athlete from Pisa (photo by Augusto Bizzi/CONI) defeated China's Jie Xu (15-10) and Japan's Kyosuke Matsuyama (15-11) in the round of 32 and round of 16, respectively. In the quarter-finals, he prevailed 15-9 against Egypt’s Mohamed Hamza, and in the semi-finals, he dispatched the United States' Nick Itkin with a 15-11 scoreline. In the final bout, leading 14-12, he succumbed to three consecutive strikes from Hong Kong's Cheung Ka Long, who narrowly won 15-14.

Magnificent Thomas Ceccon: triumphing in the 100 metres backstroke to secure Italia Team’s second gold

• SWIMMING

An extraordinary Thomas Ceccon lit up the third evening of the swimming finals at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

In the pool at the Defense Arena, the prodigy from Thiene triumphed in the 100 metres backstroke, delivering Italia Team their second gold medal of this Olympics.

The Azzurro (photo by Simone Ferraro/CONI), having recorded the second-fastest time in the semi-finals (52.58), improved to 52.00 in the final, finishing ahead of China’s Jiayu Xu (52.32) and the United States' Ryan Murphy (52.39).

This marks the seventh gold in the history of Italian swimming at the Games, the first in this speciality. Ceccon, having won three Olympic relay medals, achieved the satisfaction of his first individual podium (although he won four at Buenos Aires 2018 in the Youth Olympic Games), after narrowly missing out three years ago at the Tokyo edition.

First gold for Italia Team at Paris 2024: a stunning Nicolò Martinenghi wins the 100 metres breaststroke

• SWIMMING

Nicolò Martinenghi is the first Italia Team athlete to secure a gold medal at Paris 2024. 

The Azzurro triumphed in the 100 metres breaststroke with a time of 59.03. The silver medal was shared by Britain's Adam Peaty and the United States' Nic Fink (both 59.05).

This is the sixth gold medal in the history of Italian swimming at the Olympic Games, while Martinenghi (photo by Simone Ferraro/CONI) celebrates his third Olympics career medal after his bronzes in Tokyo 2020 in the same 100 metres breaststroke and the 4x100 metres medley relay.

Historic double podium for the Azzurri in the 10-metre pistol: Maldini wins silver, Monna takes bronze

• SHOOTING

Italia Team made history at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre.

In shooting, the fourth and fifth medals of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games were achieved by Federico Nilo Maldini and Paolo Monna, who claimed silver and bronze, respectively, in the 10-metre air pistol event.

This marks a historic double podium (photo by Ferdinando Mezzelani/CONI). Never before have two Azzurri finished simultaneously in the top three in this Olympic event, with Italy celebrating once again in the discipline following Roberto Di Donna's gold in Atlanta 1996 and Luca Tesconi's silver in London 2012. 

Maldini and Monna, after recording the second-best (581/600-16x) and fifth-best (579/600-18x) scores in the qualification session, finished their finals with scores of 240.0 and 218.6, respectively. The gold, however, was claimed by China's Yu Xie (240.9), who managed to prevail in the last series of two shots against Maldini.

Italia Team scores a hat-trick at Paris 2024: bronze medal for the Azzurri in the 4x100 freestyle relay

• SWIMMING

Italia Team secures third medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

On the first evening of the swimming finals at the Defense Arena, the Italia Team claimed a bronze medal. The quartet of Alessandro Miressi, Thomas Ceccon, Paolo Conte Bonin, and Manuel Frigo (photo by Simone Ferraro/CONI) achieved this success.

The gold medal went to the United States (3:09.28), who managed to finish ahead of both Australia (+1.07) and the Azzurri (+1.42), showing remarkable resilience by maintaining their performance despite competing in the seventh lane following their sixth-place finish in the morning qualifiers (3:12.94).

For Italy, this marks a continued presence on the Olympic podium in this discipline, following the silver medal won three years ago in Tokyo.

Sabre: Luigi Samele claims bronze at Paris 2024 and confirms his Olympic podium status

• FENCING

Luigi Samele's roar echoed around the Grand Palais, bringing Italia Team its second medal of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The champion from Foggia, supported by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, secured the bronze medal in men's sabre, returning to the Olympic individual podium three years after his silver medal at the Tokyo Games.

The Azzurro (photo by Augusto Bizzi/CONI), after a bye in the first round, defeated Canadian Shaul Gordon 15-10 in the round of 32, then overcame compatriot Luca Curatoli 15-12 in the round of 16. In the quarter-finals, he used his greater experience to defeat Mohamed Amer 15-13 after the Egyptian made a comeback attempt in the final touches. In the semi-final, he was clearly defeated 15-5 by Korean Sanguk Oh, but in the match for the Olympic podium, he held his nerve and triumphed 15-12 against another Egyptian, Ziad Elsissy, who was the number one seed.

First Italian medal at Paris 2024: Ganna takes silver in the time trial in front of President Mattarella

• CYCLING

Filippo Ganna is the first Italia Team athlete to secure a medal at Paris 2024.

The Azzurro finished the cycling time trial with a time of 36:27.08, earning the silver medal. Only Belgium's Remco Evenepoel did better, winning in 36:12.16. The podium was completed by another Belgian athlete, Wout van Aert, who finished third with a time of 36:37.79.

The other Azzurro in the race, Alberto Bettiol, finished eighteenth with a time of 38:06.77.

The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, was in attendance at the race.

This marks the second Olympic medal in Filippo Ganna's career and his first on the road, having previously won gold in the team pursuit on the track at Tokyo 2020 alongside Simone Consonni, Francesco Lamon, and Jonathan Milan (photo by Luca Pagliaricci CONI).

Giorgio Armani dresses the Italian team for the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Giorgio Armani, the Official Outfitter for the Italian Olympic Team, dressed the athletes for the official Opening Ceremony of the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad, held tonight in Paris. For the first time ever, the athletes paraded along the Seine by boat.

Athletes from multiple disciplines wore a special EA7 Emporio Armani design. The tracksuits, embossed with EA7 and Coni logos, are made of neoprene in Armani blue. The upper features two front zips, a hood with tricolour lining and large pixel-effect ‘Italy’ lettering on the back. The uniform perfectly blends Armani elegance, sporting functionality and national values. The entire first verse of the Italian national anthem, in its original version, is printed inside the jacket over the heart.

Giorgio Armani has previously dressed athletes for the London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, as well as the Sochi 2014, Pyeongchang 2018 and Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

The garments worn by the Italian Olympic team at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are available from Emporio Armani shops, multi-brand stores and online.

IOC elects Salt Lake City-Utah 2034 as Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games host

• IOC SESSION IN PARIS

Salt Lake City-Utah will host the XXVII Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games 2034 . This decision was taken by the IOC Members today during the 142nd IOC Session Paris.

The Salt Lake City-Utah 2034 delegation was led by the Governor of Utah, Spencer Cox, the Mayor of Salt Lake City, Erin Mendenhall, the President of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), Gene Sykes, and the President of the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games, Fraser Bullock.

IOC President Thomas Bach said: “Salt Lake City and Utah are long-time friends of the Olympic Movement, and we are confident that they will organise exceptional Olympic and Paralympic Games, just as they did years ago. The legacy of 2002 is tangibly and passionately alive in Utah. The legacy of 2034 starts today.”

Governor Cox said: “The Olympics and Paralympics represent so much more than competition. At its core, the Olympic Movement is about building community and celebrating excellence, things we do really well in Utah. More than 80 per cent of Utahns and 100 per cent of our elected leaders supported our Olympic bid. We're ready to host another Olympic Winter Games, and we can't wait to welcome the world back to Utah in 2034.”

There was a final report by Karl Stoss, IOC Member and Chair of the Future Host Commission for the Olympic Winter Games, the IOC body responsible for monitoring and analysing interest in hosting the Olympic Winter Games and Winter Youth Olympic Games.

“Olympic Winter Games in Utah represent a fantastic opportunity,” he said. “This very strong project benefits from an exceptionally high level of public and political support. The athletes will benefit from great facilities and opportunities this project has to offer.”

Salt Lake City-Utah 2034 has the ambition to extend the transformative benefits of Salt Lake City 2002 to a new generation and make the resources and experience of Utah available for the benefit of the Olympic and Paralympic Movement.

It is fully aligned with Olympic Agenda 2020 and 2020+5, as well as regional socio-economic development plans, especially around creating long-term benefits for the region and potentially the country, for example by expanding existing sports and social programmes for young people and athletes.

The Games will be hosted in world class, 100 per cent existing or temporary venues, and will assist efforts to drive sustainable change in Utah.

“During our visit, the Commission was able to see first-hand these excellent venues and to witness the immense experience and expertise that exists,” explained Mr Stoss. “Enthusiasm for the Games was palpable in every interaction we had, both at the venues and in meetings with athletes, sports leaders, politicians and the private sector.”

Erin Mendenhall, the Mayor of Salt Lake City, said: “Salt Lake City and the Olympic and Paralympic Movement are deeply connected through values - our commitment to diversity, love for our youth and the tireless work to preserve our environment. These principles are shared through the lens of sport. I can’t imagine a better partnership than the one we continue to forge with our Olympic partners.”

“This a great day for winter sport in the United States and around the world,” said USOPC President Gene Sykes. “The Games vision brought forth by the Salt Lake City-Utah team – inclusive of state and city leaders, the remarkable bid team and the community that showed support for this effort throughout – has been collaborative and forward-looking from the very start. We are thankful to the IOC and to Karl Stoss who led the Future Host Commission, and we look forward to the process of organising what we know will be terrific Games in 2034.”

Fraser Bullock, President and CEO of the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games, said: “Today's decision by the International Olympic Committee is as much about the Olympic and Paralympic Movement as it is about Salt Lake City-Utah. We are proud to show the world how our living legacy brings value to our communities, enriches the lives of youth, and helps contribute to the world of sport.”

Before the vote, IOC Members were able to put questions to Mr Stoss and to the Salt Lake City-Utah 2034 leadership.

Serious concerns were expressed about recent developments in the United States around the challenge to the supreme authority of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which could have negative implications for international sports events held in the USA.

In their presentations, Salt Lake City-Utah 2034 and the USOPC confirmed that they are fully committed to compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code, and that their dedication to clean sport and to the coordinated international anti-doping effort led by WADA is absolute.

IOC Member John Coates, Chair of the IOC’s Legal Affairs Commission, confirmed that the Olympic Host Contract will be strengthened in relation to WADA and the World Anti-Doping Code. The IOC has reinforced the current language in order to protect the integrity of the international anti-doping system and to allow the IOC to terminate the Olympic Host Contract in cases where “the supreme authority of the World Anti-Doping Agency in the fight against doping is not fully respected or if the application of the World Anti-Doping Code is hindered or undermined”.

This measure has been fully supported by the State of Utah and the USOPC.

There were 83 ‘yes’ votes for Salt Lake City-Utah 2034 by IOC Members, 6 ‘no’ votes and 6 abstentions, out of 89 valid votes.