CONI’s Livigno CPO unveiled. Mornati: “Closing the circle, this will be our added value”

• IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE APT (TOURIST BOARD)

The Olympic dream passes through Livigno. The new CONI Olympic Preparation Centre (CPO), at the service of Italian sport, was unveiled today in Valtellina. The CPO, the result of the memorandum of understanding signed last June by CONI and the Livigno Tourist Promotion and Development Company, joins those of Acqua Acetosa (Rome), Formia and Tirrenia. It has a unique feature: it is the only one in Italy to allow high altitude athletic training and will thus let the top-level athletes from the Olympic Preparation Centre train in conditions of high elevation.

The presentation was attended by the Secretary General of CONI, Carlo Mornati, the Mayor of Livigno, Remo Galli, the Mayor of Bormio, Silvia Cavazzi, the President of the Livigno Tourist Promotion and Development Company, Luca Moretti, the Head of the Olympic Preparation Office, Alessio Palombi, the Head of CONI’s Institute of Sports Medicine and Science, Giampiero Pastore, IOC member and swimming champion, Federica Pellegrini, athletes from the Club Olimpico, Thomas Ceccon (Swimming), Nicolò Martinenghi (Swimming) and Michela Moioli (Snowboarding) and athletes from various disciplines in the Livigno region: Giacomo Bormolini (Telemark), Michele Bormolini (Ice rally driver), Niccolò Colturi (Snowboard Cross), Nicolò Cusini (Cross-country skiing), Jole Galli (Skicross), Giulia Molinari (Triathlon), Veronica Silvestri (Cross-country skiing). Also present were the Councillor for Sport for Livigno, Marina Claoti and Stefano Podini, curator and owner of the exhibition on Olympic torches set up in the Centre. Meanwhile, the Undersecretary responsible for Sport, the 2026 Olympics and Major Events of the Lombardy Region, Antonio Rossi, sent a video greeting.

“These new structures are at the service of citizens and athletes”, explained Mayor Galli. “We have represented the union and brotherhood of the Olympic logo. This centre is a very important achievement. Those who play sports know what respect, loyalty and teamwork mean”.
“Today we are celebrating athletics and all that it teaches”, added the Mayor of Bormio, Cavazzi. “Together we are working to prepare for Milano Cortina 2026: it's a team effort and that’s what we are. Bormio and Livigno: between us there is a healthy competition to present ourselves to the world as leaders in sport”.
“A dream has come true”, said Undersecretary Rossi. “The Centre will play a very important supporting role. Congratulations to all those who helped contribute to the Centre’s completion”.

The Centre is a great achievement for CONI. “It is a special moment that began some time ago”, remarked Mornati. “In 2013 we were talking about a CPO at high altitude. Sport is very practical: various factors have led several Federations to go to Livigno. With Livigno we’ve achieved our goal. Those who go to high altitude go looking for the best: it is a privilege to have reached this agreement with Livigno. This will add value to a splendid centre that has already become a reference point in the territory".

The CPO of Livigno was conceived out of the Centro Sportivo Aquagranda, making it one of the biggest sport and wellness facilities in Europe, already used for the gatherings and stages by several Italian national teams and even more a reference point for CONI and its National Sport Federations. Thanks to the agreement signed between CONI and the Livigno Tourist Promotion and Development Company, the sports and accommodation facilities of the Valtellina municipality will also be used for athletic meetings and training sessions at special rates and prices.
The Olympic Preparation Centre, already used for athletics, football, swimming, winter sports and triathlon, will expand its offer – starting with the construction of an Olympic swimming pool in addition to the 25-metre pool – thus meeting the needs of diverse disciplines, with two main aims in its sights: the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games, with the snowboard and freestyle competitions scheduled to be held in Livigno. 
“With Livigno we complete the offer proposed by CONI to the Federations”, explained Palombi. “Our CPOs offer the best possible conditions to train in”.

Illustrating the benefits of a high-altitude centre such as the Livigno CPO are Giampiero Pastore and Claudio Donatelli, athletic trainer for CONI and the FIGC, who offered a preview of the seminar “Training at altitude” to be presented on 26 October at the CPO in Rome. 
“We will give considerable support to athletes and coaches, an all-encompassing support”, assured Pastore, who along with the institute that he manages, was behind many of the Azzurri's successes at the last Olympic Games.
“Team sports have become stamina sports”, explained Donatelli, “and working at altitude gives advantages. There is no one-size-fits-all recipe: we will produce a full, wide range of assessments capable of meeting the needs of each sport”.
An exceptional testimonial to the Valtellina resort came from Federica Pellegrini whose many successes were rooted here. “It's a happy day for Livigno and for Italian sport”, she said. "Sport has found a fundamental home for all seasons. Good luck to everyone”.
Moreover, Michela Moioli and the other Azzurri of the Italia Team have a bond with the CPO and this valley. “Livigno is my second home”, she confessed. “Here you can find peace. And here we will play at home at the Olympics: we trust in the great work that has been done and what will be done in Livigno”.
Currently in retreat at the Olympic Preparation Centre training camp are many of the Azzurri swimmers. “I have been coming to Livigno for 2-3 years”, recalled Ceccon, “for the first time I’m going to do 3 weeks: the benefits are subjective, but I really feel its advantages. The addition of the 50-metre pool is invaluable. It’s a great centre, very comfortable, where the conditions are ideal”. Sentiments shared by Martinenghi: “Walking through the Livigno centre you can breathe a familiar air. I really like coming here. It is very useful to recharge ahead of any important events. Plus it brings good luck”.
Someone who has only recently discovered the Centre is the coach of Under-21 football, Paolo Nicolato, who was satisfied with what he found. “Here are all the features you need to prepare for team sports competitions", said the coach. “Everything we need is here. It is a modern centre”.
This is also due to the investments made by the Tourist Board and the Municipality of Livigno. “These have been tough years but we have managed to make this an “easy” yet well-defined Centre”, declared Moretti. “Today is a starting point: this is the home to athletes and future Olympians. We are a top-class resource and we have to show it”.

(Photo APT Livigno)

The Trofeo CONI 2022 ends with Lazio triumphing in Valdichiana Senese

• SEVENTH EDITION

Lazio has won the Trofeo CONI 2022. The most important Italian multidisciplinary event dedicated to Under-14s, taking place again after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic and hosted this year by Valdichiana Senese, saw the Regional Committee led by President Riccardo Viola outclass (with 112 points) the other 23 regional teams present (including those of the Italian communities of Canada and Switzerland), on a podium flanked by runners-up Lombardy (108 points) and Veneto in third (107).

The winner of the seventh edition of the Trophy was proclaimed by the President of the Organising Committee and CONI Tuscany, Simone Cardullo, and the head of CONI Territory and Promotion, Cecilia D’Angelo, during the closing ceremony held this afternoon at the Parco Acqua Santa in Chianciano Terme.Top of the event’s roll of honour was Lazio, winners in the first edition in 2014, thus drawing level at the top with Piedmont (2015, 2018) and Veneto (2016, 2019), both two-time edition winners. Lombardy (2017), meanwhile, remains on one.

As mentioned, the Lazio Committee regional team claimed the win, but celebrating were all the 3,100-plus athletes in the 10-14 years age group, together with an entourage of over 800 technical staff and companions who travelled to Tuscany to compete in the 41 disciplines of the 35 National Sports Federations and 6 Associated Sports Disciplines. “I wish to thank all the municipalities that have allowed us to organise this event in this splendid location”, stated Cardullo. “Tonight we have all the young people present and that’s the most important thing. I would like to thank the CONI President, Giovanni Malagò, for having chosen us to host the event. I hope you are able to live your dreams and grow in a humane, healthy way”.

“As a municipality we have put our faith in sport. The idea of hosting this Trophy dates back to 2018, but the pandemic set us back,” highlighted Andrea Marchetti, the mayor of Chianciano Terme, a location which had also hosted the opening ceremony. “But I have to say that a day such as this, with this show and these young people, will remain in my heart.” Speaking on behalf of CONI Nazionale, was the director of the Department of Territory and Promotion, D’Angelo: “It was tricky to organise, but I must say, successfully done. First of all, I wish to thank all the regional presidents who gave the young people the right push. I would like to thank all the National Sports Federations and Associated Sports Disciplines who oversaw the competitions and, above all, I would like to thank the boys and girls, as well as the coaches who guided you towards winning some medals, but, more importantly, towards having some fun. This is CONI working locally.”

 
This brings to a close a three-day sports event that for the first time has taken place over a widespread local area such as the one overseen by the Union of Municipalities of the Valdichiana Senese, the event’s institutional partners, along with the Region of Tuscany. The 2022 edition – whose ambassador has been foil champion Alice Volpi – is also the first to be broadcast live on two channels of Italia Team TV, CONI’s OTT platform.  As the cauldron goes out, fireworks light up the sky of the spa town amid the celebrations of the young athletes, with thoughts already turning to December, when Trentino is set to host the event’s first winter edition: a double version of the CONI Trophy, a bit like a future Olympic Games, allowing even more young people to live their dream.

(Photo Luca Pagliaricci and Roberto Di Tondo - CONI)

Opening day of competition at the Trofeo CONI 2022. Alice Volpi “voice” of Italia Team TV at the foil finals

• IN VALDICHIANA SENESE

Day one of competition at the Trofeo CONI 2022 got underway in Valdichiana Senese with the first thrills for the 3,000 plus Under-14 athletes who had travelled to Tuscany to live out their dreams and face competitors of the same age from 23 regional teams (including those of the Italian communities of Canada and Switzerland). The CONI event, organised this year by the Tuscan Regional Committee in partnership with the Region of Tuscany and the Union of Municipalities of the Valdichiana Senese, sees the young champions competing in 41 different disciplines.

For the first time, the event – now in its seventh edition – dedicated to Italy’s most promising Under-14s, is being broadcast live on Italia Team TV, the Italian National Olympic Committee’s OTT platform. Commenting on the final of men's foil, from the PalaFuccelli in Chiusi, was the ambassador for the Trofeo CONI 2022, Alice Volpi. Italia Team’s multiple medal-winning Azzurra in fencing then awarded the winners from her discipline, wishing that they will one day be able to live “the Olympic dream”. The national foil fencer then posed for photos and autographs with her young protégés.

The Trofeo CONI not only offers youngsters the chance to experience an exciting multidisciplinary event, it is also a breeding ground for champions, especially as far as fencing goes. Indeed, at the first edition held in 2014 in Caserta, a very young Davide Di Veroli – world silver medallist in the team épée at Cairo 2022 – took part and triumphed. From the Trofeo CONI he went on to live the Olympic dream: first as flag-bearer and gold medal winner at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires 2018 and then as a member of the Italia Team at Tokyo 2020. 

Also present in the PalaFuccelli stands, witnessing the high-level event, was another international fencing legend, Giovanna Trillini. 

(Photo: Luca Pagliaricci - CONI. Photo gallery: Luca Pagliaricci, Roberto Di Tondo - CONI)

The curtain rises on the Trofeo CONI 2022. Malagò: “Symbolically important”. Bach to youngsters: “I hope to see you all at the Olympics”

• IN VALDICHIANA SENESE

Not even the bad weather could dampen the opening of the seventh edition of the Trofeo CONI. The Sports Hall at Chianciano Terme, home to the opening ceremony of Italy’s top Under-14s sports event – relocated from the “Mario Maccari” Municipal Stadium due to adverse weather conditions – sprang to life with the opening of the 2022 edition of the CONI event, bringing over 3,100 athletes, in the 10-14 age group, to Tuscany and over 800 coaches and their entourages, representing 23 regional teams (including those from the Italian communities of Canada and Switzerland) who paraded in the Sports Hall in Chianciano, recommencing a story interrupted in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In the stands were the CONI President, Giovanni Malagò, the President of the Organising Committee and the head of CONI Tuscany, Simone Cardullo, the President of the Region of Tuscany, Eugenio Giani, the President of the Union of Municipalities of Valdichiana Senese, Giacomo Grazi, and the Mayors of the Union, institutional partners of the event, starting with Andrea Marchetti, the Mayor of Chianciano Terme – also the venue hosting the closing ceremony on Saturday, October 1 – and the Mayor of Montepulciano, Michele Angiolini. In the gallery were also numerous representatives of Italian sport, including the CONI Vice President, Claudia Giordani and members of the CONI Board and National Council, Federal Presidents and Regional Committees. The anthem was sung by the tenor and former rugby player, Denis Dallan.

 
The event’s motto “Live your Dream” epitomises the allure of the five rings – sentiments expressed also in the video message from IOC President Thomas Bach, who greeted the young champions. “Dear Olympic friends, the best of luck for your participation in the Trofeo CONI”, declared the German Olympian. “I wish you the best and I hope you will enjoy these days of sport to the fullest with friends from all over Italy and I’d like to thank CONI for going ahead with this great initiative in the true Olympic spirit. Have fun and I hope that one day we will see you as athletes at the Olympic Games. Ciao!”.

“I am very pleased to be here after a two-year absence in which Covid hampered us so much”, said President Malagò, “I wish to thank the President of the Tuscany Region, the President of CONI Tuscany and all the mayors of the Union. Today is something symbolically important. A history that they have tried to take away from us. The IOC President’s message expressed his desire to see you fulfil your dreams and become part of the Olympic family. This is the spirit you should adopt over these two days, while also having fun. The country loves us very much, CONI is Italy and sport unites us. To the young people I say, ‘Have fun!’”.

“Thank you President for having faith in Tuscany”, said the Regional President, Cardullo. “This event, besides being part of the preparatory path for future champions, is a special moment of growth and coming together. We are very sorry that we could not use the stadium because we would have liked to let all the youngsters savour the atmosphere. We hope to be able to do so for the closing ceremony”.

“We are honoured to have the Trofeo CONI in Tuscany”, emphasised President Giani, “It is the prologue to what Malagò has wanted since his election: to resume the Youth Games. I remember that the gold medal-winning athletes at the Olympics made winning the Youth Games their first aim. We have got to get back to that. Tuscany has a strong sporting tradition; it is one of the values of our community. Seeing so many young people here is a source of great pride and satisfaction. Sport is a key factor in the upbringing of young people, combining identity and life perspective in physical activity. Sport holds out hope to younger generations".

 
“It is really thrilling to enter this building packed with so many athletes and companions”, stated Mayor Angiolini. “A warm welcome to everyone to our area, which you will be able to appreciate for all that makes it unique. Sport and wellness is a winning combination, accompanying Valdichiana Senese through its post-Covid recovery".

 
“Valdichiana Senese is a widespread municipality. We hope you feel at ease here”, added the President of the Union of Municipalities of Valdichiana Senese, Grazi. “We offer you our local area, from its cuisine to its art, and we hope you can come back here to visit”.

“Welcome to everyone”, was the greeting from Mayor Marchetti. “As Valdichiana we are collectively living our dream. We hope to be able to live up to expectations”, 

Also on stage was the Trophy’s ambassador, Alice Volpi, Olympic and World Championship medallist in foil, who will be in Chiusi tomorrow to commentate on the competitions in her discipline for Italia Team TV, as well as Carlo Molfetta, Olympic taekwondo champion. The two Olympians accompanied two young athletes for the classic Olympic oath. Also present on stage was the former Italian cricketer, Kelum Perera, representing the CONI National Technical Commission.

“It's really a pleasure to be among so many sportsmen and women. I’m in my Tuscany and I couldn’t miss out on it”, declared the Italian fencer. “It's really nice to see all these young people together having fun and getting to know each other. It’s a good glimpse into the future, I wish you all the best of luck”.
“These youngsters are beginning to understand what the sacrifice of sport means”, highlighted Molfetta. “I hope they never give up in their sporting careers”. 
“I tell young people that sport helps them with their place in the world and I tell them to never give up”, added Perera. “On the other hand I tell the coaches to guide these youngsters whilst not forgetting sport’s values and ethics”. Malagò and Cardullo then officially declared the 2022 Trophy open, with the flame carried by an athlete from twirling who lit the Olympic cauldron.

IOC President meets Italian political leader Giorgia Meloni

• Milano Cortina 2026

President Bach met Giorgia Meloni in Rome on  Thursday.  Ms. Meloni is most likely to be the first woman Prime Minister in Italy after her success in the weekend's elections, winning a majority with her coalition. 

Top of the agenda were the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Ms Meloni offered her full support for successful Olympic Games.

"These Games are very important for us. Italy is more than able to stage magnificent Games and we want to impress the world again. You can count on us," she said.

President Bach was joined in the meeting by the President of the Italian NOC (CONI) Giovanni Malago who is also an IOC Member and President of the Organizing Committee Milano Cortina 2026. 

President Bach thanked Ms. Meloni for her strong support for sport and the Olympic Movement which she has shown for many years during her political career.   

"We are committed to a very close and trusted cooperation, to make these Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 a resounding success for Italy, and for the entire Olympic Movement, " said President Bach.

During the hour long meeting, the two also agreed on the importance of the autonomy of sport.

(Foto IOC/Greg Martin)

World Championships: Raffaeli makes history! The “Formica Atomica” wins gold in the All-Around and a quota place for Paris 2024

• RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS

From the top of the world, the "Formica Atomica" towers above the rest. After the three gold medals in the ball, hoop and ribbon specialties and the bronze in clubs, Sofia Raffaeli has inscribed another indelible page in the history of rhythmic gymnastics with a first-ever Italian world title win in the individual All-Around at the World Championships in Sofia. And what happened in Bulgaria really was the World Championships of Sofia (Raffaeli), if you’ll excuse the pun. The Azzurra athlete, indeed, topped off an already memorable day with an Olympic quota place for the 2024 Paris Games.

Raffaeli, second until the final round, stole the show with the ball and leaps to snatch the top step of the podium with 133.250 (hoop 33.800, ball 34.250, clubs 32.250, ribbon 32.950) ahead of the German Darja Varfolomeev (132.450) and the Bulgarian Stiliana Nikolova, who took bronze with 128.800. Fifth place went to the other Italian in the competition, Milena Baldassarri (124.900).

A medal, with an equally important dedication. "I would like to dedicate this world title to Marche, my homeland, and to all the families who are suffering right now”, said the 18-year-old who hails from Chiaravalle, “but also to my coaches, to Federginnastica, to the State Police and to my family. I was expecting to win, but not by so much". The Italian then analysed the day’s performance: "I'm not satisfied”, she added, “I could have done much, much better: today I was not able to do the things I know I’m capable of; I will try to improve even more. I always want perfection and I'm happy only when I know I've given everything".

The quota place secured by Raffaeli takes the Italia Team tally to three slots after those clinched, in shooting, by Silvana Stanco and Luigi Lodde. (Photo Ferraro/FGI).

The Azzurri currently qualified for Paris 2024 now stand at three (one man, two women) in two disciplines:

- Shotgun - 2 quota places: 1 Trap woman, 1 Skeet man

- Gymnastics (rhythmic) - 1 quota place: all-around individual

Malagò awards the Collare d’Oro to Thomas Bach. The IOC President: "A prestigious accolade. Thank you from the bottom of my heart"

• CONI

A celebration of sport, the consolidation of an already very solid bond with Italy: IOC President Thomas Bach was today decorated with the Collare d'Oro, the highest honour in Italian sport. CONI President and IOC member Giovanni Malagò awarded it to him in the Palestra Monumentale of the Foro Italico, formerly the historic seat of CONI National Council meetings. The appointment today had previously been postponed at the eleventh hour after a plane malfunction prevented the conferment last 20 December during the 2021 Collari ceremony held at Rome’s Parco della Musica Auditorium in the presence of the Premier Mario Draghi.

Thus, the encounter between the Prime Minister and the biggest figure in world sport, originally planned as a sideline to the ceremony, was rescheduled remotely the following day. The physical event was postponed until yesterday, when President Bach, along with President Malagò, was received by the Premier at Palazzo Chigi.
Today’s ceremony in Foro Italico’s university hall, meanwhile, proved an opportunity to strengthen the bond that binds the five rings and the links between Rome and Lausanne as well as CONI and the IOC. 

The union was also celebrated through the images of the Italia Team triumphs at the most recent Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 and by the designation of Milano and Cortina to host the 2026 Winter Olympics. And the relationship also stems from Bach's own sporting career, which is inextricably linked to Italy and his Olympic win at the 1976 Montreal Games against the Azzurri team made up of Attilio Calatroni, Gian Battista Coletti, Fabio Dal Zotto, Stefano Simoncelli and Carlo Montano (present at the ceremony today) in the foil team final. 

In the audience were representatives from all over the Italian sports world, starting with IOC members Federica Pellegrini and Ivo Ferriani, President of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation, honorary IOC members Franco Carraro, Mario Pescante and Manuela Di Centa, CONI General Secretary Carlo Mornati, CONI Vice Presidents Silvia Salis and Claudia Giordani, through to the presidents of National Sports Federations, Associated Sports Disciplines, Sports Promotion Bodies and members of National Board and National Council, representatives of Regional Committees as well as athletes and technical staff. 

"Dear President Bach, our whole world is present here, the representatives of 13 million people,” outlined President Malagò. “Here we have the World Championship trophy won by the men's national volleyball team, but it was not the most recent Italian triumph. Over the last few days we have received three gold medals in rhythmic gymnastics awarded to Sofia Raffaeli and we grow ever prouder of our achievements. We are extremely pleased to welcome you again to the home of Italian sport to bestow upon you our most important honour, for the courage you have shown on numerous occasions.”

“The world has reserved many challenges for us, from the pandemic to navigating uncharted waters, but we have managed to move ahead safely thanks to your leadership”, continued the head of Italian sport. “Tokyo was a strong message to the world, a new chapter in sport. We have demonstrated the unity of our world, facing truly difficult times! We are very proud that our symbol is the symbol of the IOC. And we have always safeguarded these five rings. Dear Thomas, thank you for having been and continuing to be an example. You will always be my President. Long live the IOC, long live Italy and long live sport”.

The Italian IOC members then took to the floor. Ferriani recalled that: "To the Olympic motto 'Faster, Higher, Stronger', President Bach had added the word 'Together'. This is an example of what the IOC and the great family of world sport represent today. Thank you for this extraordinary example of community”. Afterwards came the participation of former CONI Presidents Carraro and Pescante. "Thank you to President Bach for having led the IOC with wisdom and foresight through such a complex period of our history," declared Carraro in his speech. "After being an extraordinary athlete he has shown his great leadership skills. The entire world of sport should be grateful to Bach," added Pescante. Pellegrini, a member of the IOC Athletes' Commission, and Di Centa, a former member of the Commission, thanked Bach for "having put athletes at the centre of the movement".

The coordinator Diana Bianchedi, representing Milano-Cortina 2026, then spoke: "Thomas Bach has reminded us throughout his career how important it is for an athlete to set an example and inspire new generations. We kept this in mind through every moment of our application process for Milano-Cortina. We want these Games to bring prestige to our country, to the entire international sports movement and to leave an important legacy for everyone”. Before the awarding of the Collare, there was some witty banter between Bach and Carlo Montano, the only Italian capable of beating him in the defeat of Italy in the Montreal 1976 final, a representative of a family that has won a total of 14 Olympic medals.

It was then time for Malagò to confer on Bach "the most important of the Collari d’Oro", greeted with a standing ovation from the hall. "Thank you for this prestigious Collare d’Oro, an award that belongs to the entire IOC without whose support, we would have been unable to do anything. And Italy has played a special role in all this", said the number one of world sport. "I thank you from the bottom of my heart", he added in Italian, a phrase he then repeated to thank CONI and its federations for the aid offered to Ukrainian athletes hosted in Italy, starting with the Acqua Acetosa Olympic Preparation Centre. "Thank you from the bottom of my heart for what Italy, the Italians and CONI have done for refugee athletes from Ukraine. Our mission is to unite, not divide. We remain united in our values of non-discrimination and inclusion", specified Bach, "values which Italian athletes have embodied perfectly in their interpretation of the new motto: Faster. Higher. Stronger. Together". The IOC leader then congratulated CONI for its successes and the record medal haul at Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022. "Italy and CONI have a special place in my heart. I congratulate President Malagò and the Committee, an esteemed member of the IOC, for the historic result achieved at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, with 40 medals won and incredible progress compared to Rio de Janeiro”.

He then turned to the global challenges facing sport and the organisation of Milano Cortina 2026. "There are challenges we face, from sustainability to the economic crisis, but we do not have to worry because we can count on the efficiency and organisational skills of our Italian friends. We are very confident that the Games held under the banner of Italian Life, of the Italian bella vita, will be excellent – the IOC President is certain of it. So let's come together and live this Olympic spirit: Faster. Higher. Stronger. Together. Forza azzurri!”. (Photo Mezzelani GMT)

Azzurri received by President Mattarella and Prime Minister Draghi

• VOLLEYBALL

The Italian national team, fresh off the back of their historic 2022 World Championship win, returned to Italy today to a triumphant welcome. The world championship-winning team, led by coach Fefè De Giorgi, landed in the morning on a charter flight at Rome’s Fiumicino airport, before being received at the Quirinale by the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, who once again showed his great interest in sporting achievements, in particular those regarding the Italian national volleyball teams.

The Head of State began: "World champions, welcome to the Quirinale. My most affectionate, intense and heartfelt compliments. It was an unforgettable evening". Sergio Mattarella then recalled: "Last year I received many of you as European champions, in another hall together with the female team. To see you here once again, with the addition of a few new faces this year, is very satisfying. I try to follow volleyball when I can and I followed the comments and criticisms in the days leading up to the World Championship: you have been described as a very young team, so much so that my age makes me feel uncomfortable alongside you. I remember the 1998 World Championship very well".

The President of the Republic also praised the coach Ferdinando De Giorgi: "Winning three World Championships as a player was quite a feat, but winning one leading from the sidelines is even more of a challenge. I really admired the way you addressed the team during the games. I saw coaches from other national teams who showed disappointment and gestures of reproach, with imperious attitudes ... your cool-headedness helped to keep the team calm". Mattarella continued, with a touch of irony: "Last night I saw you from the first serve to the final net by the Poles. Having let the Poles take the first set was a nice, courteous gesture for the very sporting Polish people. These are typical traits of volleyball: fair play and mutual respect. It sets an example to all other sports, some of which have these traits, others less so...".

Equally weighty words were expressed by CONI President, Giovanni Malagò: "We are very pleased. When it was decided yesterday to arrange this meeting with the protagonists of the Volleyball World Championship, I found in you (addressed to Mattarella ed.) great interest and sensitivity for your love of sport, and volleyball in particular. In fact, you told me ‘Let’s organise the meeting regardless of whether they win or not.’ An incredible team, with an average age of 24, conceived by the formidable intuition of President Manfredi, which I believe proved decisive, placing De Giorgi at the helm of this national team, and adding a further World Championship to the three already won as a player".

Speaking on behalf of the Italian men's national team were President Giuseppe Manfredi, coach Ferdinando De Giorgi and captain Simone Giannelli. All three expressed their thanks to the Head of State, hoping to be received again in the future. 

After the encounter with President Mattarella, the Italian national team moved on to Palazzo Chigi to be greeted by Prime Minister Mario Draghi:

"President Malagò, President Manfredi, Technical Commissioner De Giorgi, dear players, dear champions, welcome to Palazzo Chigi, indeed I should say, welcome back. A year ago you were here, with your colleagues from the women's national team, celebrating an incredible double European title. Today you arrive as world champions after a thrilling tournament. In the final you beat a very strong team playing at home, on a court where you had already been European champions. 

I wish to congratulate each one of you, on behalf of the government, but also personally. As Giovanni Malagò said, I am very fond of sport and therefore the fact that I was there last night was a sign of my willingness and my desire. After 24 years you have brought the men's world title back to Italy, you have entered into the history of volleyball and into the history of Italian sport more widely. Thank you for all the thrills you have given us and for the emotions you gave me last night. 

This triumph is yet another demonstration of the formidable state of health of volleyball today in Italy. After the disappointment of the Olympics, your movement has restarted with determination and doggedness. It has drawn from the experience of difficulty, disappointments and even defeats. And it has been renewed, as only great traditions can be. As well as you, credit must go to your coach, Ferdinando De Giorgi, to the physical trainers, to all the staff, and to the Federation who were capable of putting together a world class team in such a short space of time. I also wish to mention your captain, Simone Giannelli, whose performance was rewarded with the player of the tournament award. Congratulations Simone! Your growth reminds us of what young Italians are capable of. You have shown cool-headedness in tough times, lucidity and awareness of what we have at our disposal. You are not only professionals, but great champions. 

In the past I have joked that, at the beginning of this government, Italy won everything, won gold medals at the Olympics, the European Volleyball Championship, Eurovision and even the Nobel Prize in Physics. And then, from that magical moment onwards, things began to fade: a series of disappointments in the field of sports. So, along with the athletes who triumphed at the European Swimming Championships in Rome, you have broken this negative spell. Sport, as you know better than me, has ups and downs. You are the living proof that, sooner or later, true champions get back to their winning ways. Team spirit, unity of purpose and the desire to work well together always pay off, and not just in sport. This is a great sign for the whole of Italy. Thank you".

European Championships, silver for Lodde in the skeet at Larnaca. The Italian rewards the Azzurri with a second quota place for Paris 2024

• SHOOTING

Team Italy’s road to Paris 2024 has again passed through Cyprus. Indeed, the second Olympic quota place for Paris 2024 has once again come from shooting and the European Championships held in Larnaca. Booking the spot was Luigi Lodde, claiming silver in the skeet event only after relinquishing top-spot in the shoot-off (20-19, with the series tied at 38-38) to Czech Jakub Tomecek. Bronze went to Great Britain's Ben Llewellin (27).

Silvana Stanco secured the Italian national team’s first quota place for Paris 2024 a fortnight earlier as winner of the women’s trap title at the European Championships.

The Azzurri currently qualified for Paris 2024 now stand at two (one man, one woman) in one discipline:

– Shooting - 2 quota places: 1 Trap woman, 1 Skeet man

New boxing qualification system approved for Paris 2024

• OLYMPIC GAMES

After deciding last June that the boxing qualifying events and competitions for Paris 2024 would not be run under the authority of the IBA, the IOC EB was presented with an additional qualification model, which was approved during its meeting in Lausanne.

Designed by the IOC in close collaboration with boxing experts, the new qualification system is based on direct qualification through selected competitions, including the use of National Olympic Committee (NOC) regional multisport events as Olympic boxing qualification tournaments. The responsibility for the boxing competitions in the following events will therefore not lie with the IBA, and alternative arrangements will be put in place with the respective event organisers:

• Pan-American Games – Santiago 2023
• European Games – Krakow 2023
• Pacific Games – Honiara 2023
• Asian Games – Hangzhou 2022 (taking place in 2023)
• ANOCA (Africa) multisport event to be confirmed

Following the continental phase of the quota place allocation, two world qualification tournaments are planned to be held in 2024.

The new Olympic qualification process puts boxers first, lowering the complexity of the qualification process by using existing regional events and giving up to three qualification opportunities, ultimately achieving a fair and equal pathway for all boxers.

Remaining concerns over IBA

The various IOC concerns around the governance of the IBA, including the refereeing and judging process and the IBA’s financial dependency on the state-owned company Gazprom, are still ongoing.

The IOC EB today received a report on the issues related to competition management and refereeing and judging processes highlighted by independent experts during the boxing competition at the recent Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

It also noted that no clear efforts have been made by the IBA to respect and fully implement the roadmap set out by the IOC EB in December 2021 with regard to the IBA’s governance.

As a consequence, the IOC EB has sent a letter to the IBA informing it of the IOC’s ongoing grave concern. Boxing is currently not included in the sports programme of the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 and, considering the absence of any real evolution, the IOC Executive Board is not in a position to reverse its decision. This letter will be shared with the NOCs and national boxing federations.