Covid-19 pandemic costs Italy 1.760 million members but does not erase the desire to play sport

• "THE NUMBERS OF SPORTS 2019-2020" PRESENTED

One million 760,000 fewer members and 5166 fewer amateur associations and clubs. So much has the Covid-19 pandemic cost the Italian sports system. This is what emerges from the report 'I Numeri dello Sport 2019-2020' elaborated by CONI's Centre for Studies and Statistical Offices and presented today at the Foro Italico by the President of the Italian National Olympic Committee, Giovanni Malagò, the President of ISTAT, Gian Carlo Blangiardo and the Secretary General of CONI, Carlo Mornati.

In 2020, the sports movement promoted under the aegis of CONI collected more than 13 million 113 thousand registered members and 115 thousand sports clubs, registering, compared to the previous year, a decrease of more than 1,760 million registered members/registered members to be attributed mainly to the health emergency caused by the pandemic. Overall, there are 11 million 857 thousand registered or practising athletes in 2020; 731 thousand are managers; 490 thousand technicians and 101 thousand officials.

In detail, the self-declarations of the Sports Promotion Bodies (EPS) - provided to the CONI Sports Recognition Office - for 2020 also identify 7,637 million practitioners (approximately 1.3 million less than the pre-Covid 19 year), 234 thousand sports managers, and 225 thousand coaches registered by the EPS through the ASDs and SSDs affiliated to and registered with the CONI Register.

After the boom in memberships driven by the Azzurri's victories in Rio 2016, in the four-year Olympic period 2017-2020, the general trends were affected by influences related to the unfavourable economic situation, the demographic decline and the related intergenerational imbalance of the population, as well as the uncertainties generated by the reform of the sports sector and ultimately the Covid-19 health emergency.

The pandemic and the first lockdown, with the impossibility of being able to carry out non-competitive activities in indoor venues or educational-promotional activities in school gyms, inevitably had an impact on federal activities, especially those of a promotional-scholastic nature, with the most noticeable percentage changes being seen among EPS enrolments: -14.4 per cent of practitioners and -12.5 per cent of sports operators, while the decreases for FSN and DSA are smaller: -7.9% athletes -3.2% sports operators. In contrast, only 14 out of 61 FSN-DSA federations experienced an increase in the number of members.

Memberships also declined: 146,961 (compared to 154,128 in 2019), with the number of Amateur Sports Associations/Societies registered in the CONI Register increasing from 120,635 to 115,469 separate legal entities.  

Factors that mitigated the loss of membership include the facilitations provided for membership and affiliations, the practice of remote sporting activities during the lock-down or carried out outdoors in the summer season, and the consolidation of certain federal sectors related to the new sporting disciplines approved in recent years.

In 2020, 71.6 per cent of the registered members are gathered in ten federations: led by football (1,024,726 athletes), tennis (325,954), volleyball (308,169), basketball (293,090) and athletics (211,771). In terms of the number of sports clubs, football (11,915), volleyball (4,331), basketball (3,299), tennis (3,168) and cycling (2,980) stand out. Among the DSAs, draughts (46,551 athletes) and, in terms of the number of clubs, sports billiards (860) stand out.

71.8% of registered athletes, sportsmen, and women for FSN and DSA are men, and 53.6% are under 18. Among FSN athletes, 34.9% are registered in football, 8.9% in basketball and 8.3% in tennis. Female athletes, on the other hand, mainly opted for volleyball (21.4%, around 235,000), gymnastics (10.4%) and equestrian sports (8.3%). The number of female managers is on the rise, occupying 12.7% of federal offices (+1.8%), the first effects of the reforms introduced by CONI.

The federal sports world suffers from Italy's historical territorial divide. In the North, 56% of the athletes and 48% of the Italian sports clubs are concentrated, mainly in the North-West regions. In the Centre, 22% of athletes reside, and 22% of sports clubs operate. In the South, the incidence is 22% of athletes and 30% of clubsLombardy is the region with the highest number of registered athletes (806,736) and sports clubs (9,165) and accounts for weight of19 % of national membership. With 32.63% of the membership (1,377,032) gathered in the three regions (Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino Alto-Adige) that will host the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic Games.

'We are resuming this old and healthy habit between ISTAT and CONI, two public bodies, with the burdens and honours of being in the public domain,' said Malagò opening the presentation. The habit of telling what happened is not only important but a duty. We do so with the most authoritative interlocutor, whom we thank for his extraordinary cooperation. These figures are heavily skewed by what has happened not only in our country and cannot be disregarded. It must also be taken into account that in the area of memberships and affiliations, there are federations that make memberships during the calendar year and others during the sporting year. The number of members has fallen to 2008 levels. There was also a drop in membership, but honestly, we would have thought the numbers would be higher. Despite the widespread trend in our country's sporting culture, there will also be a significant loss in the sporting year 2021. These are very important figures, and I would also like to emphasise that the demographic aspect is the first concern of our world, which those in charge must answer. Italy is stuck at an apparent figure of 60 million. We are working on the human material that in 20 years has lost 5 million Italians, normally the people we use to make our country great in sports. Suppose we lose 5 million in 20 years, even though we have the best technicians and absolutely the best organisation. In that case, it is clear that if something does not happen, it will be impossible to achieve the results that made us a model to imitate.

'The CONI data assume an inevitable decline after the pandemic year,' added Mornati. These numbers help us understand sectoral trends and allow us to reflect on the future impact of the birth rate factor. When the basin dries up, a fabric of almost 5 million potential athletes disappears, as seen from the trend over the last 25 years. We will see the effect on team sports in the future, but those entering the competitive phase for two years have disappeared. In three years, we will understand the effects of what has occurred'.

Membership numbers are falling but, according to ISTAT surveys in the year 2021, sedentary behaviour continues to decrease - to 33.7 % - (to 35.2 % in 2020, while it was as high as 41.2 % in 2013), even if continuous sports practice among the youngest is decreasing (at the same time, the proportion of 6-14 year-olds who practised sport three or more times a week has fallen sharply), with increasing sedentary behaviour precisely among adolescents: those who have paid, more than others, for a health emergency that has conditioned their lifestyles and sports-related behaviour. In 2022, however, a return to normality in this age group is expected.

More generally, despite the difficulties, the population still tried to remain physically active. However, how sports were practised has changed, often in an unstructured way: the proportion of those who practised sport in paid venues (especially among women), who took lessons or paid a fee has fallen.

'The practice of sport is fundamental because sport is enjoyable and it is health, a way to improve the quality of life,' Blangiardo pointed out. Sport is also an economy, and the changes that take place affect this sector. A real storm happened with the pandemic. In some ways, there has been some progress in the practice of sports, we are a country in which there is increasing physical activity, but with the pandemic, the first important sign we see is that teenagers locked up at home who have suffered a lack of sporting and socialising activity. More generally, we have to work harder in sports than in other European countries'. 

Moreover, the impact of the health (and economic) emergency has been very strong: in 2021, only 12.7 per cent of the households residing in Italy (3 million 300 thousand) incurred expenses for sports activities (they were 22.9 per cent in 2019); again in 2021, 2.3 per cent (600 thousand households) incurred expenses for sports items, compared to 3.1 per cent in 2019. Moreover, young and large families bear the costs of sporting activity the most, and the current economic situation could precisely reduce the practice of sport in families with fewer economic resources.

The contraction in spending inevitably affected the sector's workforce, estimated at 104,000, down from 2020 (128,000) and 2019 (132,000).

The desire to play sport, which has not succumbed to the pandemic, nevertheless represents an important base from which to restart while ensuring that the resumption of sporting activity is uniform across the territory and does not accentuate the disadvantage of the South and small municipalities. (foto Pagliaricci CONI)

The flag of the Games lands in Italy. Malagò, 'from today burdens and honours to Taranto 2026'

• MEDITERRANEAN GAMES

The Taranto 2026 adventure begins. The flag of the Mediterranean Games landed in Fiumicino this afternoon, waved by Rinaldo Melucci, mayor of the Apulian city that will host the event in four years, receiving the baton from Oran 2022. Receiving the blue banner with the three rings, which landed together with the Italian team that had returned from Algeria and was led by CONI Secretary General Carlo Moranti and Head of Mission Giampiero Pastore, were the President of the Italian National Olympic Committee, Giovanni Malagò; the Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Manlio Di Stefano; and the Vice-President External Relations and Sustainability of Aeroporti di Roma, Veronica Pamio.

'The flag of the Mediterranean Games is not only symbolic,' Malagò emphasised at a press conference at Fiumicino's Terminal 5. From now on, there is us, with all the burdens and all the honours of candidacy. If you look at the roll of honour of the event, I think none of the champions of Italian sport is missing. I am thinking, for example, of Pietro Mennea, Alessia Filippi, and Federica Pellegrini: this is the best wish I can wish Italy and Taranto for the next edition'.

'It is a good moment for Italian sport, and I want to congratulate the athletes. It is a pleasure for us, as Farnesina, to support the sports movement and the Mediterranean Games. Whichever way you look at it, sport is an asset to the country. It is welfare, GDP, soft power, diplomacy: thanks to sports, you can speak all the world languages, said Undersecretary Di Stefano.

'We are proud to be able to put ourselves at the disposal of Italian sport, of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) and more generally of the values of sport. We want to work as a system. We want to do our part in promoting Italy's excellence abroad,' said Veronica Pamio.

Carrying the flag to Italy was Mayor Melucci: 'The Mediterranean Games will change the destiny of an entire community. We are convinced of that. Taranto is no longer the city of Ilva, but a city that has moved on and wants to prove it through sport as well. This event is not just a sporting event,' continued the first citizen of the Apulian city. 'In 2019, the candidature hypothesis was born, then one day, Giovanni Malagò called me and said: 'We want to stand the city on our shoulders, we want to do something for Taranto'. I want to thank him, Carlo Mornati and the entire CONI structure. They have set up an excellent system, proving that we are good when we work as a system. Coni has excellent managers capable of making the sports system run great'.

Also returning from Algeria was International Committee President Davide Tizzano. 'We have been working for more than three years on the Taranto 2026 project. We have clear ideas about what we want to do, and I thank the Apulian institutions because they have fully entered into the mission of the Games. It is not only sport. We are also acquiring geopolitical centrality: Italy is an important reference point for all 25 countries. It is an opportunity to reaffirm our reliability and consistency'.

Tizzano then honoured Malagò for the victory of the Italia Team - represented today in the conference by Apulian athletes Maristella Smiraglia (taekwondo), swimming gold medallist Simone Stefanì and football silver medallist Gabriele Guarino - in the Oran 2022 medal competition.

'If you win the medal table for the fifth consecutive time, it may seem like a foregone conclusion, but it is not. On the contrary, winning is getting more complicated because the international calendar is packed. And if we had not won, someone would have pointed it out,' said Malagò. 'This event is sporting excellence. Compared to other Olympic, world and continental competitions, the Mediterranean Games may be considered of a lower technical level but represent a showcase, an opportunity more unique than rare. Not surprisingly, 24 of the 26 participating countries won at least one medal. And I would like to mention that there are France, Spain, Greece, the Balkan countries and also Turkey, where this competition is the ultimate goal'. (foto Ferraro CONI)

Oran 2022 passes the baton to Taranto 2026, and Italia Team greets Algeria with a haul of medals

• MEDITERRANEAN GAMES

Algeria says goodbye to the Mediterranean Games and passes the baton to Italy. At the Olympic Stadium in Oran, the scene of the closing ceremony, the curtain falls on the 19thᵃ edition of the Games, with Algeria opening the parade and Italy entering the top ranks, with athletes from football, swimming, handball, volleyball, fencing and taekwondo.

After the athletes' parade, unusually without flag bearers, it is time for the handover between Oran 2022 and Taranto 2026.
The Tricolour is raised, Mameli's anthem resounds, and images of the Apulian city begin a preview of what will be in four years.

Then the blue flag of the International Committee of the Mediterranean Games was lowered and passed from the hands of the President of the CIJM, Davide Tizzano, to those of the mayor of Taranto, Rinaldo Melucci.
It was then the turn of the speeches by the President of the Organising Committee, Mohamed Aziz Derouaz, the Algerian Prime Minister, Aymen Benabderrahmane, and Tizzano, who spoke in Arabic. This is how Algeria greets the Games.

Italy bids farewell with a smile, dominating the Oran 2022 medal race. For the fifth time in a row since Almeria 2005, the Italian team climbs the top step of the medals table at the Mediterranean Games. In Oran, the Italian team collected 159 medals (48 golds, 50 silvers and 61 bronzes), improving by three podiums the result of Tarragona 2018, but above all winning three more golds than Turkey, second in the medals table of the 3-ring event.

Tomorrow, the Azzurri will return to Italy with a haul of medals and the flag of an event once again being hosted in Italy after 29 years. It will be up to Apulia to organise the event in the best possible way. On the other hand, Italia Team has the task of excelling in the Mediterranean that, 14 editions out of 19, has been confirmed as the Mare Nostrum. (foto Ferraro-Pagliaricci CONI)

Italia Team dominates in Oran 2022. Mornati, 'growth of tricolour sport confirmed'

• MEDITERRANEAN GAMES

Italy dominates the medals table at Oran 2022. On the day the curtain falls on the 19thᵃ edition of the Mediterranean Games, it is time for a balance sheet at Casa Italia. They were outlined by the CONI Secretary General, Carlo Mornati, the Head of Mission, Giampiero Pastore, and one of the Deputy Heads of Mission, Alessio Palombi.
The numbers smile on the Azzurri, who, with 159 medals (48 gold, 50 silver and 61 bronze), improve the result of Tarragona 2018 by three podiums.
'The Mediterranean Games in Oran confirm the escalation of improvements in Italian sport seen at the Olympics and the Winter Olympics,' Mornati pointed out. The positive trend is now not news anymore, which is an incredible confidence boost for us.

The Italian team led by the women - who brought home 25 of the 48 victories (52.08%) - won three more golds than Turkey, second in the medals table at the 3-ring event hosted by the Algerian city.
'The competition with Turkey for the top medal was exciting. It spiced up the event,' continued the Secretary. ‘We finished in front of a nation that has invested a lot for these Games and was packed with naturalised athletes, especially in swimming’.

'The Azzurri took part in 224 competitions, with 360 athletes, and Italy medalled with 20 of the 21 federations present. The results of Oran are in line with our expectations,' Pastore pointed out, 'we knew that Tarragona could be improved: the hope, in view of Taranto 2026, is that the next Games will fit into a smoother schedule'.

Mornati then thanked the entire Italian Mission and the Algerian Organising Committee: 'It was not an easy job. The Games were the first event experienced post-pandemic, with full stadiums and arenas. The public was particularly generous towards the Italian athletes'.

But CONI also wins with Casa Italia, not only a hospitality house appreciated all over the world - in the one set up in Oran, 2150 people passed through in 10 days, including athletes and guests - proving that the format works. 'It will be replicated, with Casa Italia Collection, at the upcoming European multi-sport championships in Munich. A Casa Italia is increasingly a media factory, with content produced for media and social (over 1,000 pieces of content, with organic growth of the fanbase of 8.7% and over 6 million unique users). Oran 2022 also experienced a boom on the CONI OTT platform, which, with Italia Team Tv, broadcast the entire event exclusively and, for the first time in the Committee's history, live streaming. 'We don't want to replace anyone, but we filled the desire for a sport that was there, broadcasting more than 250 hours of live coverage, totalling 500,000 views, 70,000 unique contacts, 55,000 viewing hours: important numbers. A winning Italy and CONI, in all respects. (foto Pagliaricci CONI)

Italy looks down on everyone: first on the medals table for the 5th consecutive time. 159 podiums, better than Tarragona 2018

• ORAN 2022

Italy dominates the medals table at Oran 2022. For the fifth time in a row since Almeria 2005, the Italian team climbs the top step of the medals table at the Mediterranean Games, confirming its position in the edition that will close tomorrow in Algeria.

In Oran, the Italian team collected 159 medals (48 golds, 50 silvers and 61 bronzes), improving by three podiums the result of Tarragona 2018, but above all winning three golds more than Turkey, second in the medals table of the 3-ring event hosted by the Algerian city. Women-led Italy brought home 25 of the 48 victories (52.08%).

But confirming Italy's leadership among Mediterranean countries are the numbers: out of 19 editions held, the Italian team has excelled 14 times. And in four years, it will try to make the most of the field factor in Taranto 2026. Because the Mediterranean Sea is Mare Nostrum.

Taranto 2026 is presented at Casa Italia Oran 2022, "it will be one of the best"

• MEDITERRANEAN GAMES

Taranto 2026 is increasingly becoming a reality. The 20th edition of the Mediterranean Games, which will return to Italy in four years' time, was presented at Casa Italia in Oran, receiving the baton from the Algerian city currently hosting the 3-ring multidisciplinary event.
“It is an honour to host you here at Casa Italia, our hospitality house that accompanies us at our events around the world,” said CONI Secretary General Carlo Mornati. It is a great pleasure and honour to host the 2026 Games in Taranto. I also think it is a great opportunity for the Mediterranean countries to grow this event. It will not only be a sporting event but an opportunity to visit Italy and Apulia”.

The President of the International Committee of the Mediterranean Games, Davide Tizzano, emphasised the importance of the event. 'We have a great challenge ahead of us,' he said, 'and as soon as these Games in Oran are over, we will start working on the new ones. We are optimistic for Taranto and the population and the city are enthusiastic about hosting them. It is a challenge to fix the facilities in this region, but everything will be ready. We want it to be one of the best editions of the Mediterranean Games. I would like to thank Mattia Giorno, who is here representing the Municipality of Taranto, and Carlo Mornati, because we are working closely with CONI. In the same year, Italy will host the Olympic Games in Milan Cortina and the Mediterranean Games, and the country demonstrated its ability to stage such events. In three weeks' time we will start working actively on Taranto 2026'.
For the fourth time in history, Italy returns to organise the event, which will again be hosted in Apulia after 29 years (Bari 1997).

'I am grateful for CONI's hospitality and the help they have given us for the organisation,' said Elio Sannicandro, General Manager of the Taranto 2026 Organising Committee. I thank the International Committee and its President, Davide Tizzano. We are proud to show what we are preparing for this edition of the Games. We want to help rebuild the future of Taranto and the most important thing is that we are working together: the city of Taranto, the Region of Apulia, CONI and the government, and I hope that this organisation will be very important for the whole country and restore peace between the Mediterranean countries. The new swimming pool will be very important, and will be a legacy for the city, as will the redevelopment of the nautical area. The candidacy is also part of the strategic plan for the transformation of the entire area, with the Italian government committed to the de-carbonisation of the steel mill. A steel mill that will undergo a major transformation towards hydrogen in the coming years. But the socio-economic transition process is broader: Taranto has enormous potential, it is a very ancient city with an important culture. The Mediterranean Games will help us narrate this transformation. I am sure that it will be an example not just for Italy and we want it to be a link with all the Mediterranean countries”.

Representing the Municipality of Taranto was the Councillor for Public Works, Mattia Giorno. “I am very happy to be here talking to you all and I am thrilled to pass on the greetings of the Mayor of Taranto,” he remarked. We have a big responsibility but the city will be ready to host the event. We have been working for two years, it will not only be a sports competition, we also want to use it to promote an idea of a sustainable future in peace. We are working hard, I thank the government, CONI and the Puglia Region. We look forward to seeing you in Taranto, even before 2026. Our city has a special bond with the Olympic Games and the Mediterranean Games, it is part of Taranto's history. Our mayor will meet the mayor of Milan because we want a strong collaboration between the Winter Games in Milan Cortina and the Mediterranean Games”. (photo Pagliaricci CONI)

Curtain rises on Oran 2022, Team Italy parades behind flag bearers Bacosi and Busà

• MEDITERRANEAN GAMES

The curtain rises on Oran 2022. The opening ceremony was held this evening at the Olympic Stadium in Oran, officially opening the 19th edition of the Mediterranean Games that will be hosted by Algeria until 6 July.
Leading the parade of athletes from the 26 participating nations was Greece, with Algeria being last to enter the stadium.
The delegation of Team Italy (the largest at the Games with its 369 athletes, competing in 24 disciplines), entered the field fifth, after Spain and before Portugal, led by two flag-bearers (the double flag-bearer makes its debut at this event, as it did at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics) Diana Bacosi, Olympic gold medallist in the shooting at Rio 2016, and Luigi Busà, Olympic champion in karate at Tokyo 2020. Behind them were some 130 athletes and officials, including CONI Secretary General Carlo Mornati, who arrived in Algeria today, and Head of Mission Giampiero Pastore, representing 12 sports. The atmosphere in the stands was red-hot, with the Algerian public cheering for their team, although they did not hold back in their cheers and applause for the athletes of Team Italy, the most celebrated foreign delegation, with an entire stadium chanting: “Italy! Italy!”.

In the stands, Italy was supported by the Minister of the Interior, Luciana Lamorgese, representing the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, and the Undersecretary responsible for Sport, Valentina Vezzali. But there is also a bit of Italy in the Presidency of the Confederation of the Mediterranean Games, headed by Davide Tizzano, and in the Taranto 2026 delegation that will take the baton from Oran for the 3-ring event.

Numerous political authorities were present, invited by the Algerian Head of State, Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
After 47 years, the Mediterranean Games return to Algerian soil, from which they have been missing since the 1975 edition in Algiers, and this evening's ceremony celebrated - with a symphony orchestra, 200 choristers and 300 dancers - the landscapes and the sea that unite distant lands and the culture of the North African country, between tradition and modernity, a country that, today more than ever, plays a leading role in the international geopolitical chessboard.

The Italian team is ready to compete in 24 sports, with the aim of once again confirming its leadership in the event and in the medals table. From tomorrow, the Azzurri will be hunting for medals in artistic gymnastics and karate. The Oran Games are officially open.

The opening ceremony and the main competitions live on the CONI website: a first!

• MEDITERRANEAN GAMES

For the first time in history, it is possible to follow a multi-sports international event live on the CONI website. The groundbreaking innovation kicks off this evening, starting at 22.00 Italian time, in Oran, Algeria, during the Opening Ceremony of the Mediterranean Games. Fans and sportspeople can watch through the Team Italy OTT platform at https://tv.italiateam.sport/

In order to make this event, in which 369 Italian athletes are taking part, more widely known, CONI has decided to open up its official Team Italy channel, which until now has always been linked to the performance of the Italian team, to the live broadcasting of the pre and post-competition events.

This time, however, in addition to the opening ceremony, it will be possible to follow the main competitions day after day via the feed that will be provided by the Organising Committee.

The live broadcasts will be made available on the CONI website as well as on the dedicated Italy Team website orano2022.coni.it Highlights will also be provided by the Algerian director of the Mediterranean Games at the end of the day.

Happy viewing to all! 

Live Team Italy TV programme schedule - Oran 2022

Agreement between Aeroporti di Roma and CONI to facilitate Italian athletes’ travel

• PRESENTED IN FIUMICINO

A collaboration agreement on facilitating airport travel for athletes involved in events and competitions was signed between Aeroporti di Roma and the Italian National Olympic Committee.
With this partnership, all procedures will be sped up with the aim of optimising airport processes and guaranteeing an excellent customer experience for athletes and their staff. The CONI will communicate in advance to ADR the nominative lists of the teams together with all the operational details of the flights in order to be able to organise this process appropriately, thus speeding up the airport procedures. Events will also be planned and organised at the airport to illustrate the sporting events which the athletes will take part in or have already participated in, so as to make the sports culture known and valued to travelling passengers and operators also in the airport, making it an increasingly inclusive meeting place.

Veronica Pamio, Vice President External Relations and Sustainability of ADR, stated "Aeroporti di Roma, always sensitive to cultural and social issues, has enthusiastically decided to be at CONI's side to promote sports initiatives and events at Fiumicino and Ciampino airports. This partnership is an important step on the path of enhancing the value of culture and sport, as well as a further confirmation of ADR's commitment to combine excellence and social sustainability, and to ensure that Fiumicino's role as the gateway to Rome and the country is increasingly future-proofed”.

CONI Secretary General Carlo Mornati commented "I would like to thank ADR for the attention and sensitivity shown towards our world. In fact, this agreement allows all airport procedures to be streamlined and sped up, enabling CONI to put its athletes and officials, departing for the various international competitions, in the best possible conditions from the moment they enter the airport. This agreement also helps to spread a healthy sports culture through the our champions’ stories, in what is increasingly becoming a meeting place and the most important gateway to our country. This also a unique way for our flag-bearers to promote Italy throughout the world”.

Fiumicino airport excels in the quality of passenger services, technological innovation and infrastructure functionality. For several years, in fact, 'Leonardo da Vinci' has been among the best airports in the western world, always offering a service at the highest level in terms of quality, sustainability and operational excellence. Even during the pandemic, one of the most difficult and challenging periods for the air transport sector, travellers were able to appreciate the efforts of Aeroporti di Roma in always guaranteeing a top level of service. (photo Ferraro CONI)

Tomorrow is Olympic Day. Athletes and sportsmen around the world 'take action' for peace

• ALSO CONI AND TEAM ITALY

The world of Sport is preparing to celebrate Olympic Day. In keeping with tradition, the International Olympic Committee foundation, established in 1894, will be celebrated worldwide tomorrow.
On this festive day for the five-ringed world, the IOC introduced this year's “Together for a better world” campaign, shining a light on issues such as sustainability, inclusion, solidarity and peace, with the aim of involving people in building a better world through sport.

Each year, the campaign focuses on a different theme that serves as a unifying global thread. 2022 celebrates the power of sport in bringing people together in peace, a call for everyone to take action and move together for world peace. (the IOC video)

CONI is also taking part in Olympic Day, with the involvement of the CONI National Athletes' Commission and Team Italy champions, who through the Committee's social channels (with the hashtags #OlympicDay and #MoveForPeace), will 'challenge' the Italian fans and athletes, inviting them to join the movement and actively advocate for peace. United as one. With the unique power of sport.