Surf joins Italy's Water Ski and Wakeboard Federation

The President of Italy's Water Ski and Wakeboard Federation, Luciano Serafica, announced today that upon CONI's request in view of the programme for the Tokyo Olympic Games qualifiers, he has included Surfing, with all its specialities into the “family” of federal sports. “We are ready to accept the challenge”, says president Serafica enthusiastically, “we decided to direct our work towards the Olympic goal, vigorously supporting Surfing athletes and all federal teams, enhancing existing skills without hesitation for a sole common goal, the Olympics and Sports”.

“We would like to thank President Alessandro Di Spirito” continues Serafica, "and the Federal Council of FISURF for the excellent work done over the years in which Surfing has spread gaining significant followers in our country and creating champions like Leonardo Fioravanti (in the ANSA photo), our spearhead” Serafica continues “the Water Ski and Wakeboard Federation has the most medallists by European and global comparison. The last few have been particularly significant due to the numerous awards granted; yearly, we win about 60 medals in international competitions and Pro races. We were born in 1950 as the Italian Water Ski Union and have grown constantly updating ourselves, today we regulate seven disciplines: Classic, Barefoot, Cable Ski, Cable Wake, Wakeboarding, Speed ​​and the Disability sector that, in our Federation for more than 20 years, motivates us both competitively and humanly”.

“This competitive activity has graduated numerous world champions in all disciplines, and from an organisational point of view”, added Luciano Serafica, “we've hosted several World Championships and organised countless European Championships. The FISW” concludes Serafica “will provide managerial skills and extensive experience gained over many years of competitive and institutional activities, to develop water sports and expand Surfing with all its specialities. As a first step, we would like to appoint the head of sports competitions who will bring surfers to Tokyo in 2020 and work together with them towards achieving such a prestigious goal” concluded President Serafica.

In 2016 one Italian out of four practiced sport regularly. Malagò: numbers that deserve an Olympic podium

A growing trend that “is worth an Olympic medal”. Because the match is about practicing sports and the prospects open onto a bright future for our Country, not only for the universe of organisations that live under the aegis of CONI. The percentage of Italians over the age of 3 that regularly practice sports in their free time has reached 25.1%: in 2016, in brief, one person out of four practiced sports. If we add to this percentage also those who say they occasionally practice sports, we reach 34.8%. The percentage of people practicing sports has increased by 1.5 points in the last year and by 4.2 points between 2013 and 2016, with an average increase of 1.4 points a year. Overall, between 2013 and 2016, 2 million 519 thousand Italians approached practicing sports.

The figures connected to physical activity – with particular reference to the last four-year period of Malagò’s presidency (Photo by Mezzelani-GMT) – were illustrated with great pride – at the Salone d’Onore – by the President of CONI, and by the President of the Istituto Nazionale di Statistica (National Institute of Statistics), Giorgio Alleva. "Today, four years after my election – Malagò said – we talk about the results of a matter which I believe to be vital. Year after year, these figures have confirmed we’re on the right track. It’s like winning an Olympic medal. I put all my efforts into it to reach important goals starting from the territory, touching the various situations first hand, mapping the needs and the critical aspects of the various venues. After so much talking about sports, about sacrifice, about the importance of physical exercise, we can see the results. To know that in 2016 practicing sports has been so popular makes me happy. 1.5 percentage points increase is a significant result. With life expectancy getting longer – moreover – it’s not easy to improve. The ages from 6 to 10 years have recorded a peak, reaching 60% of children practicing sports. In the next four years I believe we will have a margin of improvement to continue to grow, considering that the regions of Calabria, Campania and Sicily are lagging behind and must reverse the trend. We must consider that 11.4% out of 13% of the total people practicing sports in Campania are registered sportsmen, because the rest don’t have access to sports facilities. Sardinia does better than many other regions, in the south there’s the problem of a lack of facilities, of where to practice sports, whereas in the north the authorities even failed to apply for funds from the “Sport e Periferie” project. The South instead has played the role of a lion and I am convinced that thanks to these efforts we shall greatly benefit on the future. In the next four years I am sure we shall improve and surpass also the physical activity average registered in the European Union. We are placed at the ninth place of the rank of people aged 18 to 29 who dedicate at least 150 minutes a week to physical activity, behind Greece but ahead of Portugal and France. Thanks to investments in infrastructures and to the role of sports in schools, I am confident we will improve. And I would like to stress that every percentage point is worth about 200 million and this enables us to prove to the Government has invested well in us. In July we shall have the results of the ISTAT survey on citizens and leisure time, to gather a great amount of information on sports practices of the Italians, the best time to bring together the general assemblies of our world and review the state of the art".

ISTAT’s president, Giorgio Alleva, went into detail in his considerations on the matter. "Physical activity implies the collective wellbeing and it therefore requires an updated picture. The first survey on the practice of sports was made just before the Rome 1960 Games. At the time it was an activity for the few. 90% were male – on one million and 230 thousand people practicing sports – with hunting in first place followed by football. In 2016 there are 14 million 800 thousand people regularly practicing a sport and for the third year running we have positive percentages which are recorded at 25,1%. In the period between 1995 and 2016 we can observe that there is a positive trend amongst the various generations which certifies the acknowledgment of the importance of sports. In the past year there has been a 5% growth in the north and 2.3% in the south. Schools play an important role, as also the family. 5.7% of free time in the under 24 bracket of the population is spent on practicing a sport, an average of 2 hours and 13 minutes a week. The World Health Organization has stated that lack of physical exercise represents the 4^th risk factor in mortality, inactivity and/or obesity and concerns 52% of Italians and this shows us that we still have to work to improve. Just a few curious facts: we’re below the European average with regard to time dedicated to physical activity. In Europe we can observe how income plays an important role in dedicating time and space to practicing sports. The field of sports employs about 117 thousand people, 0.5% of the total workforce. We’re in second place in the EU for exports in sport-related products behind Germany. It is important that we invest in monitoring new phenomena connected to sports and boost, through various promotion measures, a regular physical activity among the population in consideration of its importance”.

Sports practice in Italy is increasing, probably also because the message that sport is good for you and is beneficial at all ages, which is spread on a daily basis with increasing frequency. Between 2013 and 2016 practicing sport increases in all age brackets. Increase of over 5 percentage points are recorded amongst the younger age brackets: 18-19 (+7.1 percentage points); 15-17 (+6.4); 6-10 (+5.8); 20-24 (+5) and in the 60-64 (+5). The number of people who regularly practice a sport continues to grow among both men and women, reaching 20.8% and 29.7% respectively, although a gender gap still remains.

Between 2013 and 2016 all statistics by geographic area show an improvement; in particular it is the North West that drives the growth (+5.1 percentage points). In this three year period we have also seen a constant and continuous, albeit contained, growth in the southern regions. In 2016, the first three regions with the greater concentration of people regularly practicing sports were: Trentino Alto Adige (36.2%), Emilia Romagna (31.1%), Lombardia (30.5%), whereas Calabria (16.5%), Sicily (16.5%) and Campania (13.9%) are at the bottom of the regional classification. Furthermore, in 2016 also 39.2% of Italians declared they did not practice any physical activity or sport in their free time, this equates to more than 23 million people who live a pretty sedentary life. Compared to 2013 the percentage of sedentary people has decreased by -2 percentage points. In figures, the physically inactive are about 1 million 70,000 less. In the last years the stabilization of the rate of sedentariness at around 39%, in a Country that continues to progressively age (the old age index went from 151.4 in 2013 to 161.4 in 2016) we can consider this an excellent result.

Olympic Channel Launches Global Digital Platform in Six Additional Languages

Featuring Olympic stars and stories from across the globe and continuing the excitement of the Olympic Games all year round, the Olympic Channel is now available in Chinese, French, German, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese and Latin American Spanish in addition to English. The launch of the six additional languages on the Olympic Channel represents the first non-English languages to be added to the global digital platform.

Starting today, fans and users have the option to experience the current version of the Olympic Channel in one of seven languages. In addition to the multi-language user interface, viewers can continue to watch original programming with subtitles in one of 10 languages which has been an available feature since the channel launched in August 2016.

“This is a great way to reach more people around the world and to tell the great Olympic stories in a way that connects directly to them,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. “The launch of the Olympic Channel platform in multiple languages ensures that more fans around the world will be able to discover and explore stories that will help them to connect with their favourite sports and athletes in their own language”.

“Language and localisation features are a high priority for us in 2017,” said Olympic Channel General Manager Mark Parkman. “The availability of six additional languages on the global digital platform is a significant step in the Olympic Channel’s evolution as we look to create more personalised user experiences for Olympic fans around the world”.

To experience the Olympic Channel in a language other than English, users can select the option through the language button in the upper right-hand corner of olympicchannel.com. On the Olympic Channel app, the experience will coincide with the language of the mobile device operating system. To select a different language, users should change their operating system language preference on their mobile device.

The Olympic Channel plans to release four additional languages in the coming months including Arabic, Japanese, Korean and Russian versions. In addition to creating a multi-language global digital platform, the Olympic Channel is working with broadcast partners and National Olympic Committees to develop localised versions of the Olympic Channel that will offer region- and language-specific user experiences on linear and digital platforms.

Statement by the National Board

Meeting n. 1057 of CONI’s National Board was held this morning at the Foro Italico. The session opened with the approval of the minutes of the previous meeting held on January 17. In his intervention, President Malagò took stock of the Ryder Cup matter and of the development and completion of the legal procedures regarding the Italian Paralympic Committee also in view of the upcoming elections. The memorandum of understanding between CONI, the Municipality of Milan and the Lombard Region is being defined for the candidature of Milan for the 132^nd CIO Session in 2019. In light of the assignment of Prefect Carpino as Special Commissioner for the G7, it was necessary to replace him at the head of the “Sports and Suburbs” Plan. The choice went to the outgoing President of the Court of Auditors, Raffaele Squitieri.

With regard to the Sports Merits, after once again applauding the awarding of the Collare d’Oro (Golden collar) to Gigi Riva in Cagliari, the President expressed his wish, if he were to be confirmed at the helm of CONI for the next four years, to operate a “regularization” of sportsmen and sportswomen, athletes and technicians who could have been awarded the Collar in virtue of the results obtained prior to the establishment of this award. The subject and application process will be discussed in depth over the next four years, and intention was expressed to standardize the statutes of the Federations and Disciplines particularly with regard to the electoral aspect. Regarding the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympic Games, Deputy Secretary General Carlo Mornati was nominated Head of Mission.

The Board approved the change of name of the Italian Hockey and Skating Federation (FIHP) into Italian Federation of Roller Sports (FISR). New regulations were approved for the organization and operations of NADO Italia, at the head of which there will be a President, in office for a five year term, with three year term judiciary bodies to further confirm the independence and autonomy of NADO, which will also have its new offices in the building adjacent to the Casa delle Armi at the Foro Italico, already the headquarters of the Rome 2024 Promotional Committee. An assessment was also carried out on the number of sports disciplines included in the national register, the current total of which is currently 384, and which will need to be standardized. After having examined a long series of other matters of organizational and administrative nature and having endorsed the relative deliberations, the Board ended the meeting at 12:00 pm.

PyeongChang 2018 taking shape as year-to-go milestone beckons

Spearheaded by the likes of Korean figure skating legend Yuna Kim and US Alpine skier Lindsey Vonn, the team of official ambassadors for PyeongChang 2018 are busy raising the profile of the Games at home and abroad. And with the mascot, logo and pictograms for PyeongChang 2018 all now unveiled, the world is properly getting to grips with the ‘look and feel’ of the first Olympic Winter Games to take place on Korean snow and ice. Over the last eight months, Soohorang, the white tiger mascot, has travelled as far as Brazil, as he helps to generate interest and excitement in the next Winter Games, while the distinctive pictograms, based on the traditional Korean alphabet, are helping to give the Games a very local flavour.

Eight new medal events at PyeongChang will take the total of golds up for grabs to 102, more than any previous Olympic Winter Games, and the first time in history that the number will have exceeded 100. And with the IOC actively helping to take Winter sports to new frontiers, there may well be some new NOCs taking part, with the tantalising possibility of a Ugandan snowboarder and a Nigerian bobsleigh team among the prospects looking to qualify for the Games, demonstrating that snow and ice sports do not need to be the preserve of the traditional ‘powerhouses’.

The new events will certainly add a new dimension to these Games, with the accent very much on increasing the appeal of the Olympic Winter programme to young audiences around the world. Certain to give the Games a youthful vibe is the snowboard Big Air, which transports the aesthetic of the skateboard park onto the Olympic slopes, and sees competitors flying off a highly-pitched ramp and performing jumps with multiple flips and spins, is guaranteed to thrill snowboard aficionados and new fans alike.

The other new events all have a strong team ethic and help the Games bridge the gender divide. Curling has been a hugely popular feature of the Winter programme since its return to the programme in 2006, and for the first time in PyeongChang, a mixed doubles event will appear alongside the traditional men’s and women’s team events. Alpine skiing, traditionally one of the most ‘individual’ of sports, will also have its own mixed team event for the first time, boasting an exciting new format. And finally, the speed skating programme in PyeongChang will be rounded off with men’s and women’s ‘mass start’ events.

Big Air is one of a number of events that have already staged test competitions in PyeongChang. Cross-country, Nordic combined and short track have also been put through their paces in recent months, as their respective World Cups staged events at their PyeongChang venues, while Alpine events have taken place this year and last year. So far, the clear message being delivered is that the 2018 Olympic Winter Games are going to benefit from the renowned Korean efficiency and eye for detail.  (source: olympic.org)

Team Italy defined for the Erzerum 2017 EYOF

The Italian team that will take part in the 13^th edition of the winter EYOF– the event that will take place from February 11 to 18 in Erzurum, Turkey - has been defined. 10 athletes will be engaged in the European Youth Olympic Festival, which will see the participation of 832 14-18 year old youths from 40 countries competing in 9 disciplines. Giampiero Pastore will be the Head of Mission.

This is the complete list of those summoned, divided by pertaining Federation:

FISG (Italian Ice Sports Federation)

Figure skating: Lucrezia Genaro, Daniel Grassl

Short track: Gloria Ioratti, Melissa Tunno, Riccardo Pontalti, Luca Spechenhauser

FISI (Italian Federation of Winter Sports)

Alpine skiing: Alex Vinatzer, Giovanni Zazzaro, Carlotta Saracco, Lara Della Mea

School of Sport, 2017 training offer presented. Malagò: the challenge is won, we’re ready to keep growing

A high profile presentation to promote the contents of a training activity that is increasingly synonymous of excellence. The School of Sport reveals its 2017 education project: in the crowded Hall of Honour and in the presence of a number of Federal Presidents, members of the National Board and former athletes, the strengths of an articulated and exhaustive offer were illustrated, an offer that is corroborated by the increasing numbers and a credibility testified by the many partnerships established. CONI’s pride for a structure that is the flagship of its own history was expressed through the words of President Giovanni Malagò (photo by Mezzelani-Gmt). "I am amazed by this imposing audience. The School of Sport is a challenge won by Director Rossana Ciuffetti and it is ready to look further ahead. The adventure began 50 years ago thanks to Giulio Onesti’s special intuition. In the inauguration speech, he said that the School was a necessity and this proves his foresight. Today, the world of sport attracts professionals who wish to express their capacities within our world. We must respond to these requests and, to this end, we have invested at all levels. Almost every week universities contact one another to do something together. In these classrooms are the managers of tomorrow, also former athletes, ready to take over. I see a lot of enthusiasm. Costs have reduced and proceeds have increased. The management is dynamic also thanks to the efforts of the Regional Schools, in a difficult moment of the economy in virtue of an exceptional training offer. We want to continue to grow and always meet the expectations as the school proves to us every day.

Alberto Miglietta, Managing Director of Coni Servizi, stressed the motives for which the structure plays a pivotal role in the development of the company. "The School of Sport and the Institute of Medicine and Science of Sport are considered as structures to develop, in order for them to represent just costs but an investment. This is a veritable research center, a catalyzer of interest, an excellence to promote through its territorial branches. The objective is to offer quality, and for this reason the School has become a link with the universities of the country, in the role of excellent interlocutor in training matters. We have various extraordinary partnerships such as that with De Agostini which is a winning partnership as shown by the results obtained on the territory with the refresher courses offered to more than 750 Physical Education teachers".

Antonio Urso, coordinator of relations and activities between the School and the Institute of Medicine and Science of Sport, has explored the philosophy that animates the action methodology of the structure. "This training plan says a lot through its numbers and quality. Today carrying out this activity means delving into the complexities of our times, trying to decode the general needs. This training boundary is not always clearly defined but broadens and changes dimension. There are worlds that come together. Our challenge is to optimize the process making it dynamic over the years, for the purpose of meeting the incipient needs".

The conclusions are assigned to the Director of the School of Sport, Rossana Ciuffetti, who gave a detailed account of the 2017 annual plan. "Giulio Onesti said that the school was an essential contribution, as President Malagò mentioned, and today’s parterre corroborates this aspect. In 2016, we recorded 5 thousand attendees in our premises, whereas the regional schools received 30,000. We tried to bring back the Federations within the school because in order to succeed in maintaining our competitive levels, you need effectiveness at training level through this strategic asset. Victory in sports is determined by a variety of factors and depends on the fundamental role of the technician and we are ready to respond to this need by investing in the specific aspect. Furthermore this is a pre-Olympic year, in view of PyeongChang 2018, and we shall promote a specific seminar to be designed in collaboration with Coni Lombardia, just as a similar initiative is planned in lieu of the Youth Olympic Games to be held in Buenos Aires. Ten high level technical studies have been planned as well as a fourth edition of the High Specialization Course in Olympic Management to train future managers in the sports sector. With the Foro Italico University we have developed a three year degree course in motor science for level 4 sports technicians, with the Luiss and the Bocconi universities various important collaboration projects, with Lumsa a postgraduate course in sports education and training. There is an important synergy with the Milan Polytechnic, with the University of Parma we shall promote the third edition of "Comunicare lo sport" (Communicating sport) and we shall speak of sport between spectacle and entertainment without forgetting the part dedicated to the facilities and to the wellness aspect and the collaboration with De Agostini. We are also publishers of dedicated texts and of a specific publication. The best way to allow Italian sport to innovate albeit respecting tradition, continuing to play an elitist role and one of guidance in the world context". Attending the presentation were the students of the Liceo Scientifico a indirizzo Sportivo (Sports Science High School) of the Convitto Nazionale and those of the third Course in Oympic Management.

The "FAMI" project (Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund) launches the national course for spreading sports among young immigrants

Sport as a vehicle of inclusion and integration of young migrants. CONI and the Ministry of the Interior join forces to develop a project for the “promotion, practice and implementation of sports activities in favour of young foreigners hosted by the national migrant reception system”, included within the 2014-2020 National Asylum, Migration and Integration Program (FAMI). Young migrants will, in fact, be offered the possibility to practice their motor skills with the associations on the territory, together with their Italian peers under the guidance of qualified coaches trained by CONI. The first step of the project is deemed to be implemented in five pilot regions (Emilia Romagna, Lazio, Marche, Sicily and Tuscany), with the involvement of 750 young participants (out of the 3800 overall objective of the three-year project).

The presentation of this first phase began today and will continue tomorrow, at the School of Sport, with activities targeted at the regional experts who will have the task of training the technicians/educators of the participating sports clubs in their respective regions. The project was illustrated by Prefect Rosetta Scotto Lavina, Director of the Central Office for Migration Policies of the Ministry of the Interior, and by Cecilia D’Angelo, Head of CONI’s Territorial Management and Promotion, while the meeting was introduced by CONI’s Secretary General, Roberto Fabbricini. “I remember when this initiative was in the pipeline and it was immediately endorsed by President Malagò who has always been responsive to certain issues. It is a project of great civil value which is conceived within the social fabric of the moment. Although it has different goals, CONI feels sympathetic towards certain issues. Cecilia d’Angelo and her structure was praised for having concretized the objective in collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior directed by Prefect Rosetta Scotto Lavina, whom I thank. These young boys and girls leave their roots in search of a better future. The project has us strongly committed along with the territorial organizations because we face an important challenge that we want to win. We are all citizens of the world”.

Prefect Rosetta Scotto Lavinia highlighted the significance of “FAMI”. “It is a project we have strongly encouraged because sport is the best instrument to favor integration. Thanks to CONI, which immediately endorsed the initiative within a broader European project. The subject matter is of extreme importance because in 2016, more than 25.000 unaccompanied minors came into our country. They are vulnerable and call for attention. We will support them in the hope of soon seeing them play and grow together with our children". The scientific directors of the Regional Sports Schools and the Presidents and Secretaries of CONI’s Regional Committees will oversee the training and coordination of the project on the territory.

The contents of the national training program is spread along a total of 10 hours divided into specific sessions: Asylum in the World and in Italy, by Andrea Pecoraro. Unaccompanied foreign minors in Italy: juridical framework and problematic issues, subject treated by Mattia Ventura. Account of a real experience: “Città dei Ragazzi”, by Francesco Ferraro.

Tomorrow the topic will focus on “Relationship and understanding within the group to recover equality within diversity, safeguard affections and awareness of the body”, by Barbara Pelletti. “Communication processes and intercultural relations applied to the context of sports communities”, courtesy of Antonella De Renzis and Isabella Tozza. Group activities and workshops are provided to create a direct connection between theory and practice, with an immediate involvement of the training recipients to guarantee an “awareness” of the different issues through a roadmap of actions to take.  (Foto Pagliaricci-GMT).

Launch of the partnership between CONI and TOYOTA

Today starts off a new path for Toyota, in the name of sport values, deep emotions and the challenge to achieve seemingly impossible goals. Today kicks off the partnership between Toyota and CONI, the Italian Olympic Committee. The agreement is for a period of eight years, until the end of 2024. It puts Toyota Motor Italia at the forefront in Italy together with CONI, the Italian Olympic Committee, which has received 25 cars today, 20 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and 5 Lexus (4 NX Hybrid e 1 RX Hybrid). The delivery was made by Andrea Carlucci, CEO of Toyota Motor Italia, and CONI President, Giovanni Malagò.

The vehicles will be used by CONI staff and by the athletes of the Olympic team who will benefit from the Toyota Full Hybrid technology, which combines the uniqueness pleasure of driving with low emissions to protect the environment. This partnership is part of the global collaboration between Toyota and the International Olympic Committee on the subject of mobility, which includes vehicles, services and mobility solutions, announced by the President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach and by Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota, in Tokyo in March 2015 (https://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-announces-toyota-as-top-partner-to-2024).  From 2017, Toyota will be global partner of CIO, the International Olympic Committee, and of other National Olympic Committees worldwide, to give sustainable mobility solutions, more secure, efficient, including intelligent transport systems, urban traffic management and communications systems vehicle-to-vehicle. This partnership will support the objectives of the 2020 Olympic Agenda, the vision and the plan of action for the future of the Olympic Movement that sees in sustainability one of the three main pillars.

“It is an important day for the world of sport because it marks the beginning of a relationship with a leading firm in the car sector. My personal experience as entrepreneur led me to discovering Toyota many years ago, when I had an intuition it would become a giant in this sector because it was able to read market trends ahead of time and take brave and innovative directions - Giovanni Malagò declared - For CONI, Toyota is a new partner, but an important one at the same time, with its worldwide successes in the transportation field. We are very satisfied with this agreement, which provides the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) with a very innovative car fleet, sensitive to environmental issues, considering that we will use hybrid fuel cell cars, a novelty that was actually launched on the market by Toyota. Today they are a leading company and we are particularly honoured to celebrate this agreement that allows us to journey into the future”.

Andrea Carlucci, CEO of Toyota Motor Italia: “This partnership represents for Toyota an important milestone and reflects the common values on which our brand has always worked: to shape a better society through the application of our Kaizen spirit, through the continuous improvement of any activity or process combined with innovation, always respecting the people and teamwork. We think that through the hybrid technology and the diffused use of hydrogen as an alternative energy resource, we can achieve important goals for a better future and promote the welfare of individuals and society in general. As in sports, aiming for the continuous research of new challenges, in full respect of the people and their potential, with hybrid technology and hydrogen, we have launched our biggest challenge yet and now we are making it possible: to build a world with real zero emissions. Thanks to this partnership, which will be long term, I am sure we will develop innovative programs that will see sports and mobility always more at the forefront”.

This agreement represents for CONI a source of great pride,  a commitment to improve the sustainable mobility; it’s an important collaboration to protect and celebrate the economic, social, institutional aspects  and all the Sports values. Thanks to this collaboration, Toyota will adopt in its daily approach the true spirit of the Olympic Games.

National Board convenes in Genoa for the first time. Progress report

Meeting n. 1056 of CONI’s National Board was held this morning in the Reception Hall of the Municipality of Genoa, the first time in its history to hold the meeting in the Liguria region (Photo by Mezzelani-GMT). The Board began the session with the approval of the minutes of the previous meeting held on December 20. The meeting began with the intervention of the Mayor of Genoa, Marco Doria, the President of the Liguria Region, Giovanni Toti, the President of the Town Council, Giorgio Guerello, with their respective sports councilors. In his intervention, President Malagò began by updating the Board on the relations with the Government and issues regarding the elections of the federations which sometimes lead to legal actions. With regard to results, the Board approved a list of young athletes receiving the "Premio Terna trasmette energia" (Terna Award for Energy Transmission). With regard to anti-doping measures, Prof. Marco Bernardi was co-opted into the CCA. After examining a long series of other issues of organizational and administrative nature, and having approved the relative resolutions, the Board ended the meeting at 12:30 pm.