"Run for your dreams, become a torchbearer”: chance to fly to Pyeongchang 2018 for 10 Italians
The Pyeongchang 2018 Olympics are approaching and the Italian athletes have begun to prepare for the Olympic season which will see them compete in Korea in February and live the Olympic dream. However, our athletes will not be the only ones flying to Asia. In fact, Samsung Italia, in collaboration with the Pyeongchang 2018 Organising Committee, has organised the contest “Corri per il sogno, diventa tedoforo” – “Run for your dreams, become a torchbearer” – (official link here) that will allow 10 people to run 200 metres of the Olympic torch relay, which will start on the 1st of November, 100 days before the start of the actual event.
The torch, – which will be lit in Olympia, Greece, on the 24th of October, will be handed to the Organising Committee on the 31st of October and will be carried through 17 metropolitan cities and national provinces for 101 days, highlighting Korea’s technologies and traditional culture and some of the most spectacular locations of the world.
“Let everyone shine” is the slogan chosen for the Olympic Torch, a slogan that can be made their own by the lucky winners of the contest picked by a special judging panel among the many who will send a text of 300 words (it can also be presented via audio or video), in which they will describe themselves in relation to a dream that could improve people’s lives or an already fulfilled dream that served as an inspiration and a motivation to other people.
7,500 torchbearers will run the Olympic relay, along with 2,018 supporting torchbearers. 10 of them will be able to do it by explaining their dreams.
Milan fixes a date with the IOC for 2019: commission satisfied. Malagò: proud of the project
Milan waved off the IOC delegation and legitimated the soundness of its ambitions. The inspection visit came to a close today of the Executive members of the International Olympic Committee, Ser Miang Ng (Singapore) and Willi Kaltschmitt Lujan (Guatemala) – accompanied by two officials appointed by President Thomas Bach – to assess the candidacy of the Lombardy capital as location for the 2019 Olympic Session. The final decision will be taken during the course of the meeting of the International Olympic Committee scheduled for September in Lima.
The current tour included meetings with the Prefect of Milan, Luciana Lamorgese and with the Police Commissioner of Milan, Marcello Cardona, as well as an inspection of the Mi.Co. (Milan Congress Centre), the Sala delle Cariatidi and the Last Supper, locations functional to the candidacy project, as indicated in the dossier presented on 15th March last to the IOC. The Assessment Commission was accompanied by the President of the CONI, Giovanni Malagò, by the Secretary General, Roberto Fabbricini, by the Vice Secretary General, Carlo Mornati, and by the dossier project leader, Diana Bianchedi.
The morning started with a visit to the Mi.Co. where Roberto Daneo, in charge of preparing the dossier, illustrated the contents and the strong points of the candidacy, with further details provided by Paolo Peroni, Sales Department Fiera Milano. The delegation was able to visit the areas of the facility to be assessed in accordance with the session requirements that have to be met.
The group was subsequently received by Prefect, Luciana Lamorgese and Police Commissioner, Marcello Cardona. Taking part in the meeting were also the Head of the Municipal Security Department, Carmela Rozzano, the Provincial Commander of the Carabinieri Col. Canio Giuseppe La Gala and the Provincial Commander of the Guardia di Finanza Gen. B. Paolo Kalenda.
Malagò praised the two institutional representatives as a guarantee of absolute credibility and security, and also recalled their sports backgrounds. Ser Miang Ng said he had much appreciated Milan from a planning viewpoint and also expressed his confidence in the city as regards security aspects, considering the successful outcome of events organized over the previous two years. According to the IOC member, Milan too would reap major economic benefits.
During the meeting, the Prefect and the leading exponents of the provincial police forces illustrated the security measures normally put in place in the case of events of international importance, during which the participation of Heads of State and relative delegations also calls for the implementation of measures at diplomatic and ceremonial level.
Milan has in fact had similar experiences in the past: the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in October 2014 and the entire Expo six-month period represent a reference model which exemplifies how the Municipality of Milan and the police forces are ready to host and perfectly manage the 2019 Olympic session. Police Commissioner Cardona said just how excited the city was about having this chance to host the IOC session, and recalled the extensive endeavours – in terms of security – undertaken to organize the incident-free final of the Champions League and other sports events. He also emphasized that a team will be organized to take care of the administrative operations of the delegations from all over the world, catering to the various requests made through the CONI representative. City alderman, Rozza said just how honoured the city was to be able to host large events of this kind, seeing them as a great opportunity for growth.
The group then proceeded to visit some of the most symbolic sites of the city including the beautiful architectural features of the Sala delle Cariatidi in the Royal Palace and of the Cathedral, and Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper. The day closed with a press conference in the Armani Silos.
Malagó (photo Filippo Gabutti-GMT) expressed his enthusiasm for a visit full of positive reactions: “These have been two very busy days and ones which have proved to be highly positive: I should like to thank the mayor, Giuseppe Sala and Governor Roberto Maroni. I speak as a man of sport; I often come to Milan and am proud to be represented by people of their standing. The two IOC members with us today are officials of outstanding importance. They came to Milan to share two pleasant days with us, but because we are well acquainted with their moral integrity, we also know that they will give nothing away when it comes to making their assessment. Hence, I feel like committing myself to some extent. We have offered a textbook example and shown unity of purpose at all levels. We have not shown ourselves desirous of being at the centre of attention. I wish to thank Diana Bianchedi and the entire work team, the IOC officials, Carlo Mornati and all those who helped us make a good impression. I am proud about the work done. We are envied for our elegance and for this we must also thank Giorgio Armani for the hospitality and touch of class he provides. Milan 2019 represents a fine opportunity for the city with major repercussions in terms of growth and tourism".
The words of mayor Gala also echoed the same satisfaction and ambition. "Thank you all for what you have done. Milan loves to build up its present and future on major events. I shall be in Lima to sustain this project and I have never denied that we should love to host the Olympic Games. Our experience of the Expo has only just ended and all I can do is thank those who dedicated us their attention, in the hope that we were able to live up to their expectations and that we will not betray the trust which I hope will be placed in us". Governor Roberto Maroni extended the speech to the Region. "I am pleased to see that Milan and Lombardy are within the horizons of the IOC, and also to see that we are part of a world of excellence like that of sport, inasmuch as a place of special values – of a training and educational nature. I too will be in Lima to celebrate what I hope will be our nomination…and so we’ll see".
The point of view of the IOC Commission was expressed by Ser Niang Ng. "We were given a truly warm welcome and have been able to ascertain just how strong Milan’s project is. We have much appreciated the cultural and architectural aspects which complete the offer and integrate the sports context. The CONI is a very strong component of the Olympic movement and we are very satisfied with our visit and the beautiful facilities, as well as with the hospitality of the various institutional components". The visit ended with handshakes all round which very much points to investiture. In the Armani Silos, the Italian flag flies proudly, a symbol of excellence, like that of a sports environment which wants to project in the world an image of Italy at its very best.
Sala, Maroni and Malagò receive the inspection delegation. "Strong project"
Welcome, with sights set on 2019. Milan opens the doors to the IOC: an inspection visit to the Lombardy capital started today to evaluate the candidacy to host the Olympic Session scheduled in two years time. The President of the CONI, Giovanni Malagò, together with the Secretary General, Roberto Fabbricini, the Deputy Secretary General and Olympic Training Manager, Carlo Mornati, and dossier project leader, Diana Bianchedi, welcomed the two Executive members of the International Olympic Committee, Ser Miang Ng (Singapore) and Willi Kaltschmitt Lujan (Guatemala), accompanied by two IOC officials appointed by President Thomas Bach for this assignment.
The delegation's tour started from the Scala Theatre, universally recognized as one of the world’s top opera theatres: playing host was Superintendent, Alexander Pereira, who illustrated - together with marketing director, Lanfranco Li Cauli, - the strong points of this symbolic building and invited the guests to visit the stage named after the great orchestral conductor, Arturo Toscanini, the artist who returned the theatre to music in 1946 after the bombing of 15 August 1943, and then the Museum’s Esedra Hall. The visit ended in the famous “loggione” and gallery, where the guests were able to enjoy a part of the "Hendel Project" show.
The IOC members, together with the Lausanne officials, after the impressive start to their Milan tour, were received by Mayor Giuseppe Sala, and by the Head of the Department for Sport, Tourism and Quality of Life, Roberta Guaineri. President Malagò said just how proud Italian sport was for this magnificent opportunity, recalling the crucial crossroads of the Lima session for the assignment of the candidacy and the decisive collaboration between the Municipality, the Region and the CONI for its success, without forgetting the importance of Milan as a city with a strong sporting vocation, and with the added value represented by the headquarters of the Federations in via Piranesi. Mayor Sala, after an exchange of gifts (photo by Filippo Gabutti GMT), praised the city's international spirit and the passion of its inhabitants for big events, mentioning - among others - last year's Champions League soccer final and the Giro d’Italia cycle race – including because of the opportunities they can offer. The Mayor also underscored the city’s great dedication to voluntary work and the efforts made to ensure security, underlining that Milan is sensitive to the appeal and fascination of the Olympic event and ready to honour the opportunity represented by the 2019 IOC session.
Ser Miang Ng and Willy Kaltschmitt Lujan, on their part, thanked the Municipality and the CONI for their efforts in making the bid and recalled the importance of the 2019 session, scheduled to assign the location of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
A short walk to admire the city’s architectural sites, including the Vittorio Emanuele II gallery and the Cathedral, was a prelude to the arrival of the delegation at the headquarters of the Lombardy Region, where it was welcomed by Governor Roberto Maroni and the Head of the Department of Sport and Olympic canoer, Antonio Rossi. On the 39th floor, with breathtaking views in the background, Malagò added a few words to what he had already said in the City Hall, highlighting Lombardy as the cradle of sport in its most qualified sense and also recalling Maroni's endeavours not only to safeguard the Formula One Grand Prix of Monza, but also in favour of the overall growth of competitive sport and of the management of major sports events. Maroni said how proud he was and expressed his intention to do all he possibly could to make the candidacy a success. The IOC members on the other hand extended their congratulations for the compactness of the bid, which is backed by solid institutional support, and said they looked forward to meeting again at the Lima session. Also taking part in the meeting was the Chairman of the Lombardy Regional Committee of the CONI, Oreste Perri. The day ended in Cornaredo, with a dinner prepared by chef Oldani. Tomorrow is the last day of the visit: another series of major appointments to discover the other beautiful parts of the city and get to know other institutional representatives, ready to play their part in this adventure called Milan 2019.
EOC celebrates peace and unity at official ceremony of Györ EYOF 2017
An official ceremony marking the final stage in the journey to the 2017 European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) took place in Rome today, as the European Olympic Committees (EOC), Hungarian Olympic Committee, and Györ EYOF 2017 Organising Committee came together to celebrate the peace and unity which will be showcased throughout the event.
The ceremony took place at the historic Ara Pacis Museum – home to the ninth century Ara Pacis altar which is dedicated to peace. The milestone event was attended by up to 100 senior European delegates including EOC Acting President Janez Kocijančič; President of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) Giovanni Malago; IOC Member Mario Pescante; ASOIF President Francesco Ricci Bitti; and EOC Secretary General Raffaele Pagnozzi. Representatives from Hungary included President of the Hungarian Olympic Committee Krisztian Kulcsar; and Zsolt Borkai, President of the Györ EYOF 2017 Organising Committee and Mayor of Györ.
During the ceremony, the Acting President Kocijančič presented President Kulcsar with The Dea Pax Golden Olive Tree, to mark the peace and friendship between the two organisations. The Olive Tree was considered sacred by Dea Pax, the ancient Goddess of Peace, and the symbolic sculpture, made by the renowned sculptor and goldsmith, Nicola Amato, was designed in homage to these values.
Speaking during the ceremony, EOC Acting President Janez Kocijančič said:
“It is a great honour to have the privilege to stage the first official ceremony for the European Youth Olympic Festival here in this amazing Roman temple dedicated to peace. Our basic idea was to bring together the ideas of peace and youth. Peace and the Olympic Values should be core attributes in young people and we need to do all we can to promote that.
“The EYOF was established by the former IOC President Jacques Rogge more than a quarter of a century ago as he recognised the importance of investing in youth. Europe is the leading continent in world sport but to maintain this we have to make sure we continue to invest time and resources in our young people. EYOF provides young people with invaluable experience to become the future glory of Europe.”
The torch of the EYOF, which will burn in Györ’s ETO FC Stadium throughout the festival, was also lit during the ceremony. Five distinguished Hungarian athletes presented the torch to Acting President Kocijančič who in turn presented it to President Borkai, as a symbol of the sacred fire which lights the spirits of the young athletes. The torch and the Olive Tree will now be taken to Györ where they will remain until the end of the festival before returning to the EOC headquarters in Rome.
Speaking at the ceremony, President of CONI, Giovanni Malago said:
“It is a real pleasure to be here in Rome, in this unique place to host the ceremony for the European Youth Olympic Festival. The journey for the EYOF has officially begun and we look forward to taking part it in the festival in July. I am sure Györ will host a fantastic event.”
President of the Hungarian Olympic Committee Krisztian Kulcsar added:
“On behalf of the Hungarian Olympic Committee it is a great privilege to be here in Rome to receive the Oliver Tree and EYOF torch and to take it back with us to Hungary. As NOC President my most important role is to spread the values of Olympism and strengthen the Olympic Movement. For our young athletes, the EYOF 2017 will be their first experience of a multi-sport event, their first experience of enjoying the atmosphere of the athletes’ village and their first experience of supporting and cheering on their compatriots from other sports. It is one of the most important events for young athletes and will form the basis of their future careers.”
President of the Györ EYOF 2017 Organising Committee and Mayor of Györ, Borkai Zsolt, concluded:
“We have been waiting six years for this moment to come. We committed ourselves to hosting the event in 2011 and since then we have been working hard to make the event as successful as possible. The EYOF can develop a generation who represent the future. In July we could watch the future champions of Europe but even those athletes who do not achieve great success will become ambassadors of sport and healthy lifestyles. In July we’d like to provide an outstanding and unforgettable experience for everyone.”
To conclude the ceremony, the Musicanova choir performed a song composed for the EOC entitled ‘Shine’. The EYOF will shine a light on young athletes throughout Europe and give them an opportunity to showcase their talent on the international stage. The new EOC logo and look and feel has also been developed around the concept of a shining diamond made up of 50 pieces representing the 50 NOCs of the Olympic Family of Europe.
IOC and Official Timekeeper OMEGA extend global Olympic partnership to 2032
The announcement was made at The Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland, by Thomas Bach, IOC President; Nick Hayek, CEO of Swatch Group and Chairman of OMEGA; and Raynald Aeschlimann, President and CEO of OMEGA. OMEGA is the first Worldwide Olympic Partner to commit to the Olympic Movement through to 2032. The extension marks 100 years since the start of OMEGA's relationship with the Olympic Games, which dates back to the Olympic Games in 1932 in Los Angeles.
The partnership will continue the commitment by OMEGA to provide cutting-edge timing, scoring, and in-venue results system and equipment, which are critical for the success of the Olympic Games.
IOC President Thomas Bach enthusiastically welcomed OMEGA's extended partnership with the IOC: "OMEGA is the world's leader in sports timekeeping, and the extension of our agreement through to 2032 means Olympic athletes will continue to be able to rely on OMEGA's expertise. 2032 is an important milestone, as it will mark 100 years since the Olympic Movement was first able to count on OMEGA's timekeeping solutions."
Nick Hayek, CEO of Swatch Group, said: "The Olympic Games is one of the most emotionally-stirring events in the world, with an Olympic medal as the ultimate sporting dream. Its message of unity through sport is deeply compelling for people everywhere. From whichever media platform available, people tune in and cheer for their favoured athletes. We at OMEGA are honoured, that since 1932 we have been part of creating this emotion by measuring the fractions of a second or the distances that will decide between gold, silver and bronze. We are happy and proud to continue this tradition until 2032, which will mark one hundred years of partnership between OMEGA and the Olympics".
OMEGA has served as Official Timekeeper 27 times, and has developed and introduced the most cutting-edge timekeeping equipment in the world, including the starting pistol, touchpads for swimming and the Scan 'O' Vision MYRIA photofinish camera, which made its Olympic Games debut in Rio and can capture 10,000 digital images per second. Tsunekazu Takeda, the IOC's Marketing Commission Chair, said: "We are delighted that OMEGA has become the first global Olympic Partner to reach an agreement through to 2032. It is also the first time in our long relationship that OMEGA has extended its partnership by 12 years, which underlines the strength of the Olympic Games and the IOC's commercial programmes". (PHOTO CREDIT: IOC)
Malagò re-elected to the Presidency of CONI for the 2017-2020 four-year period

Giovanni Malagò has been re-elected as President of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) for the 2017-2020 four-year period. In office since 19 February 2013, Malagò was re-elected by a large majority of the members of the National Council which convened this morning in the CONI Hall of Honour, beating 67-2 his opponent, Sergio Grifoni, former President of the Italian Orienteering Federation. Malagò, who is 58 years of age, is now in his second term of office as President of the Italian National Olympic Committee.
During the course of the morning, the round of voting ended with the election of the Executive Board, which appointed Franco Chimenti (Deputy) and Alessandra Sensini (Olympic sailing champion at Sydney 2000) as Vice Presidents. Confirmed as Secretary General was Roberto Fabbricini, and as Vice-Secretary, Carlo Mornati, rowing silver medallist at Sydney 2000.
The other members of the Executive Board are: Francesco Ricci Bitti (Asoif President), Angelo Binaghi (Tennis), Flavio Roda (Alpine Skiing), Alfio Giomi (Athletics), Sabatino Aracu (Rollersport), Carlo Magri (Volleyball), Roberto Cammarelle (Olympic boxing champion at Beijing 2008), Valentina Turisini (shooting silver medallist at Athens 2004 and Shooting National Team Head Coach), Sergio D’Antoni and Guglielmo Talento (Territorial Representatives), Giovanni Gallo (Sports Promotion Bodies).
Taking part in the voting were the three Italian members of the IOC: Franco Carraro (former president of the Assembly), Mario Pescante and Ivo Ferriani. Also present were the two honorary members of the IOC: Ottavio Cinquanta and Manuela Di Centa.
Giovanni Malagò’s first words after his election were. “I am proud of the result and of the confidence which the members of the Committee continue to place in me, ready to achieve new goals in the interest of the growth of Italian sport. I shall undertake to improve and consolidate our top-level achievements and further increase the number of youngsters who practise sports in our country. Courage and new ideas are needed to concretize a four-year period able to meet the standards set by the prestige and history of CONI”.
National Council press release
The 251st National Council of CONI met this afternoon, at 17:30, in the Salone d’Onore of the Foro Italico to discuss the following agenda:
1) Approval of the minutes of the meeting held on February 14, 2017: approved unanimously.
2) President’s communications: Malagò opened the proceedings by greeting the newly elected members of the Council and by handing the Golden Star for sports merit to the athletes’ representative Raffaella Masciadri before commemorating the sports personalities who passed away in the last three months and underlining the important results achieved by Italian athletes in the same period.
The President (photo by Simone Ferraro) has then revealed – in view of the forthcoming designation of the Istituto di Credito Sportivo’s authorities by the Council of Ministers – that the name of Paolo Vaccari has been proposed as CONI candidate for ICS’s Board of Directors.
Regarding the Coni Servizi-National Sports Federations events, the focus has been placed on the importance of the efforts made by the Body to guarantee an organisation that lives up to the expectations in reference to the next events, especially considering the overlap of 2017 TIM CUP Final (football) and the Italian Tennis Open Internazionali BNL d’Italia on the most crowded day at the Foro Italico, and also all the other events organised in partnership, including the Athletics Golden Gala Pietro Mennea and the swimming race Settecolli. Special mention should be made of the inclusion of Piazza di Siena in the Equestrian Sports list and the pride of hosting the Archery World Cup finals at the Stadio dei Marmi. Among the 2017 international events that took place in Italy, there was also a mention of the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in Pesaro and the Mountain Bike World Cup finals.
The President recalled the budgeting for the upgrading and the expansion of Acqua Acetosa’s anti-doping laboratory and the transfer of the library of the former Civis building to enable a better accessibility of the facility managed by the School of Sports.
The Council then discussed Milan’s candidacy to host the 2019 IOC session, underlining the great job done by the group led by Diana Bianchedi and her team, waiting for the formal investiture which is expected to take place in Lima in September.
To close, Malagò proudly spoke about CONI’s budget, which earned the approval of the vigilance bodies thanks to record numbers in terms of revenues, and expressed his satisfaction about the reduction of the maximum limit of non EU-nationals which dropped to 1149, 11 less than last year, and about the introduction of a new discipline into the register of the ASD (Amateur Sports Clubs), reaching a total of 385. CONI is proud to be the only organisation to follow many disciplines, responding to the wishes and the wills of the generations to come. Malagò has finally greeted the Council, reminding them of tomorrow’s elective meeting schedule and revealing that the facilities located at the beginning of Viale delle Olimpiadi will be named respectively after Ondina Valla (the former hostel) and Edoardo Mangiarotti (the building adjacent to the Sala delle Armi), whereas the Sala Polifunzionale of the Palazzo delle Federazioni will be named after Vittorio Pozzo.
The following people commented on the report and other themes: Maurizio Casasco (Sports Medicine), Giovanni Petrucci (Basketball), Angelo Sticchi Damiani (Automobil Club), Ugo Claudio Matteoli (Sport Fishing and Underwater Activities), Marco Di Paola (Equestrian Sports), Franco Chimenti (Golf).
3) F.S.N .- D.S.A. - E.P.S. activities: The Council unanimously approved the following resolutions: 1) proposal for the Presidency of the Council of Ministers according to the article 22 of the Law of 30 July 2002, no. 189 as amended, maximum annual limit of 1149 non-EU athletes that will practice professional or in any case compensated sports activities as far as 2017/2018 season is concerned 2) Integration – under the term “Skyrunning” – of the list of sports disciplines eligible in the National Register of Amateur Sports Clubs (ASD), reaching a total of 385.
4) Administrative affairs and CONI budget: The Council unanimously approved the 2016 budget.
CONI’s 2016 budget approved today by CONI’s National Council presents an economic breakeven (+ € 0.26m), in line with 2015 result and with the budget estimate disclosed at the end of last year. The production value is equal to € 458.1m, the main components of which are the MEF resources (€ 415.5m), the contributions received from the Ministries (€ 12,7bn), the commercial incomes due to the utilization of CONI’s brand (€ 15.5m) and the contributions received by Local Bodies directly from regional committees (€ 8.9m).
Production costs, which amount to € 456.3m, have been mainly allocated for the benefit of National Sports Federations, for over € 289m (around 63% of the total production costs),€ 248.9m as direct contributions and € 40.4m (VAT excluded) as services in kind performed by Coni Servizi SpA with regard to the fee of the annual service contract. The other elements of the production costs are represented by the contributions to the other financed (€ 29.7m), the fee of the service contract referred to the activities performed by the Company on behalf of CONI (€ 58.6m VAT excluded), the amounts allocated to the State by way of VAT and in application of the rules of public spending reduction (€ 23.8m, 5% of the production costs), and the costs sustained directly by CONI’s regional committees (€ 27.7m, 6% of the production costs).
Having nothing else to discuss, the Council was concluded at 18:30.
Italia Team launches "Destinazione PyeongChang 2018"

Italia Team launches “Destinazione PyeongChang 2018”. The President of CONI, Giovanni Malagò and the Deputy Secretary General and Head of Mission of the Italia Team, Carlo Mornati, have presented at the Museion – Contemporary and Modern Art Museum- in Bolzano the initiatives for the forthcoming Olympic Games to be staged in South Korea on 9-25 February 2018. The athletes who are members of the Olympic Club took part in the press conference, together with the presidents of the two Federations involved, Flavio Roda for the FISI (Italian Winter Sports Federation) and Andrea Gios for the FISG (Italian Ice Sports Federation).
CONI President Giovanni Malagò opened with an introduction speech.
“Carlo has history, style and preparation. He embodies a major profile, setting an example that makes other countries envy us. A great athlete does not necessarily become a great executive, but I think that, if you have become a champion and you put yourself in a position to understand how some things work, you can go far. He is going to be our guide in the PyeongChang expedition. I think that Winter Games these days are considered to be increasingly appealing to young people, sponsors, TV – and, for this reason, I would like to thank Discovery, which invested in the product – as it understood, in the best possible way, the process of change that also affects the Olympics programme.
I would like to thank the Presidents of FISI and FISG, Roda and Gios, for the Federations’ efforts and, of course, the athletes, who represent the best of our image. We are proud of our movement: there is no country like ours, with 384 disciplines. This is our history. We have around 10 months left before the Games. I am happy for today in Bolzano because we owe a lot to this area that has given us so much. I would like to thank Innerhofer, my first medal-holder as President of CONI, and all the winners of the previous Games that are here today. We will do better than Sochi, where something went wrong and the rest was bad luck. My thoughts go to Zoeggeler who is candidate at IOC as an athlete representative member.
In conclusion, I would like to say that I have seen some extraordinary EA7 uniforms: Italia Team will be envied by all, it is surely going to win in terms of style. These Olympics are going to go down in history, thanks to our colours.”
Carlo Mornati went into detail. “We have come a long way for 2018, having worked with two federations that have alone covered 102 Olympic Games. A unique case in the world, they are the first and fourth top federations by number of events. Flavio Roda and Andrea Gios are men with an experience and, thanks to them, we managed to do a good job. Although their headquarters are in Milan, they were very good at figuring out change on a central level. CONI provides assistance, scientific support, synergies and resources: both Federations received €37.9 million in funding from 2014 to 2017, not to mention the €276,000-worth of activities funded in 2015-2016 and around €2 million between Olympic Club and Olympic promises: we have covered almost one hundred athletes, a number that almost matches the whole expedition to the Games, if we consider the previous ones.
We do not want to live the experience every four years: there is constant relationship of exchange with the Club project that needs to last permanently. PyeongChang should be easy to live in because everything is very compact. There are six novelties in the programme compared with Sochi and there are going to be two clusters of reference where the Games will take place. We have organised everything so as to meet every need in a functional way. Casa Italia will be a very welcoming centre for the athletes. From Seoul, we will travel to the villages by train for security reasons. I am sure we will do well in PyeongChang, but I would like to recall a figure that serves a useful point of reference.
For the record, Sochi was the sixth Olympics by number of medals won and came 22nd in final place, in the medal collection, which notably lacking in gold. The average medals won by Italy, in the history of the Olympics, is five. Five like the edition in double figures: Albertville and Lillehammer, however, took place 2 years apart and benefitted from the same generation of prodigies. We will go to Korea with ambition and conviction”.
Danilo di Tommaso, CONI Head of Communications, showed the athletes Article 48 of the Olympic Charter and informed the journalists present that “no media representative can enter the athletes’ residential area. There are only two exceptions, on the 6 and 8 February, when the IOC will organise a tour of the Olympic Village. Otherwise, every day two hundred accredited journalists will be granted access to the central area of the Village”. Di Tommaso also presented the new website, pyeongchang2018.coni.it, launched today in both Italian and English; he then introduced Luigi Ecuba, Senior Director of Sports Discovery Networks in Southern Europe. Discovery has indeed obtained the rights for the Summer and Winter Olympic Games from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2024.
“We hope our collaboration will also last beyond 2024. Discovery’s trademark is more about storytelling, that is, telling what lies behind the live Olympics’ event. Our story is based on training, sacrifice, the story of the athletes up until the event, which is not just a sports event, but of pathos and belonging. For Eurosport Discovery, we are redefining the Olympic Games, making them available on various screens, from TVs to smartphones. For this redefinition of the Olympics, for the first time, in PyeongChang, Eurosport Italia will be completely independent from Eurosport International and, as of the autumn, we are going to tell the story of sacrifice that lies behind a victory or disappointment”.
Diego Nepi, Italia Team Marketing Director, highlighted the meaning and concept of Casa Italia for the Winter Games. “It has given us the willingness and the passion that only sports and your accomplishments could give us. We returned from Rio very excited and satisfied. In Italy, we encountered difficult situation due to the earthquake. Since the season reopened, your victories have rekindled the flame. You are at the centre of our project, not only because of the results but also thanks to your sacrifice and the example you set every day. Casa Italia will be the centre of emotions, we are going to give life – together with Discovery – to what lies behind the result. It is not just an area for hospitality but also for communication. There will be no rules at the centre, only our DNA. It is very important to me to grow our value thanks to our sponsors, our partners and those who support and believe in the Italia Team”.
Malagò, before concluding and giving the kits to the Olympic Club athletes, reminded that “at the next Board meeting, if I am still President, we are going to win the same level of medals as those won by our Summer Games colleagues. From October to January, according to our schedule, we will attend the ceremony at the Quirinal Palace where we will be handed the Italian flag”.
Peter Fill and Sofia Goggia expressed their ambition and hope for the Italia Team, bringing the day to a satisfying close with the claim “Incredible is not impossible. Fire on the Ice”, which will be the Italia Team’s slogan ahead of the XXIII Olympic Winter Games.
WINTER OLYMPIC CLUB 2017 – 39 ATLETHES
Dominik Fischnaller
Ludwig Rieder Luge
Patrick Rastner
Andrea Voetter
Peter Fill
Elena Curtoni
Sofia Goggia
Dominik Paris
Giuliano Razzoli Alpine Skiing
Riccardo Tonetti
Federica Brignone
Chiara Costazza
Irene Curtoni
Manuela Moelgg
Alexia Runggaldier
Dominik Windisch
Lukas Hofer
Dorothea Wierer
Lisa Vittozzi Biathlon
Federica Sanfilippo
Giuseppe Montello
Thomas Bormolini
Federico Pellegrino
Dietmar Noeckler Cross country Skiing
Armin Bauer
Lukas Runggaldier Nordic Combined
Alessandro Pittin
Samuel Costa
Michela Moioli
Raffaella Brutto Snowboard
Andrea Giovannini
Michele Malfatti
Nicola Tumolero Speed Skating
Francesca Lollobrigida
Davide Ghiotto
Carolina Kostner
Anna Cappellini Figure Skating
Luca Lanotte
Arianna Fontana Short Track
Italia Team website for the 23rd Winter Olympic Games now online

As and from today, the website http://www.pyeongchang2018.coni.it is online. This is entirely dedicated to the Italian Mission for the 23nd Winter Olympic Games of PyeongChang 2018.
This CONI initiative, at just less than 300 days from the start of the Olympic event, will accompany the Italian athletes through to the Games due to begin on 9 February next. During the Olympics, the website will be updated in real time with all the competitions in which Italian athletes take part. This is a useful easy-reference tool for operators, fans and sportspersons because it contains all useful and necessary data for becoming better acquainted with the protagonists who will be representing Italy in Korea.
Also interesting is the historical section with all the “all time” Italian medal winners and finalists. Website graphics and design are by Coninet, the CONI’s IT arm, while the texts, reports, biographies, news and curiosities were created by the Olympic Committee’s Office for Communication and Relations with the Media with the support of the FISI and FISG press offices. The website also includes a section dedicated to sponsors and another on Casa Italia to be set up in the Alpensia Resort’s Yongpyong Golf Club. After the great experience in Sochi, there will also be an English version of the Italia Team’s website.
Presidency and National Board candidates
At 2 pm today, upon the expiry of the term set for candidacy applications for the Presidency and the National Board, in view of the Elective National Council of 11 May, the following people have officially presented their candidacy applications:
PRESIDENCY: Giovanni Malagò, Sergio Grifoni
NATIONAL BOARD
FSN-DSA REPRESENTATIVES (7 places, 5 of which at most for Federal Presidents): Sergio Anesi, Sabatino Aracu (FISR), Angelo Binaghi (FIT), Franco Chimenti (FIG), Luca Di Mauro, Renato Di Rocco (FCI), Riccardo Fraccari, Alfio Giomi (FIDAL), Carlo Magri, Ugo Claudio Matteoli (FIPSAS), Fabio Pigozzi, Gianfranco Ravà (FICR), Francesco Ricci Bitti, Flavio Roda (FISI), Luciano Rossi (FITAV).
ATHLETES (2 places, with equal gender representation): Roberto Cammarelle (FPI), Alessandra Sensini (FIV)
COACHES (1 place): Valentina Turisini (UITS), Ernesto Zanetti (FIPE)
SPORTS PROMOTION BODIES (1 place): Claudio Barbaro (ASI), Vittorio Bosio (CSI), Giovanni Gallo (PGS), Luigi Musacchia (Libertas), Luca Stevanato (ASC)
REGIONAL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE (1 place): Sergio D’Antoni, Fabio Sturani, Riccardo Viola
PROVINCIAL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE (1 place): Gianfranco Porqueddu, Guglielmo Talento, Riccardo Viola
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