Celebration of 60 years since the First Edition of the Olympic Games in Italy. Malagò: precious memories

Italian sport celebrates Cortina. At the eve of the 60th anniversary of the opening ceremony of the first edition of Olympic Games hosted in Italy, CONI paid tribute, with a gala evening, to the city that in 1956, thanks to the Olympic event, carved itself a key role in the world arena. The event kicked off with the filming of the event by Rai TV, that for the first time transmitted a live Olympic event, with Giuliana Minuzzo as first protagonist of the athletes' oath and then of the regrets for those races that were marked by misfortune: a moment that was accompanied by the welcome, official but full of warmth, by Malagò, President of CONI, in attendance together with the Secretary General Fabbricini, the Deputy Secretary General Carlo Mornati, the Vice Presidents Scarso and Buonfiglio, the members of the Board (which tomorrow will exceptionally be held right in the Council Hall of the Municipality of Cortina, for meeting no. 1042) and the Presidents of FISI, Roda, and FISG, Gios.  Everyone emphasised the importance of this Olympic "first time", with good wishes expressed for the Rome 2024 candidature. Show and emotions, an endless flashback, relived ideally together with some of the most significant protagonists of that edition, the seventh of the Winter Games: the last Olympic torch bearer, Guido Caroli (speed skating) recounted how he fell with the torch before the tripod was lit: "It was due to a cable that they guaranteed would be removed on the day: I was looking at the audience, did not look at the ground, and the cable was still there so I slipped". Together with him, skaters Carlo Calzà and Bruno Alberti, injured before the descent.

Cortina was represented by mayor Andrea Franceschini, in a unique setting: the Cortina Ski Club, founded in 1930 by 18 Roman students and symbol of the promotion of the most authentic values of the competitive sports movement, as highlighted by the plate gifted by CONI to Andrea Reale, director of the establishment, who then returned the favour in kind with a collector's gift, related to the historic postcards of the Games of 1956. The menu was embellished by wines from the Ferrari and Tenute Lunelli wineries.

President Malagò highlighted the importance of this meeting.  "We are proud to remember the protagonists of that edition and to guest some of them. Cortina was the Olympic Game that brought Eugenio Monti to fame: he then won the IOC De Coubertin Prize for a commendable act of fair play. This anniversary occurs in a particularly happy moment for the Italian winter sport and ice sport team, thanks to a shared path with great vision. Cortina is working on the 2021 World Cup, I am sure that this celebration will be the prelude to a future that stands up to the talents and beauty that this city is able to generate". In Cortina 1956, Italy won three medals in bobsleigh, of which one gold (Giacomo Conti and Lamberto Dalla Costa). The President of the Republic, Gronchi, was responsible for inaugurating the Games.

Renzi visits the IOC: “Rome awaits you”. Bach: “Very strong bid”, Montezemolo: “Medal plaza at Colosseum”

“The Olympic spirit is very important, but we want to win” said Prime Minister Matteo Renzi shaking hands with IOC number one  Thomas Bach. With the Prime Minister, the leaders of the Rome 2024 bid Committee, President Luca di Montezemolo, Vice President Luca Pancalli, coordinator general Diana Bianchedi, Fiona May in charge of athlete relations, along with CONI president Giovanni Malagò and the Secretary General Roberto Fabbricini. Members of the Italian IOC, Mario Pescante, Ottavio Cinquanta, Franco Carraro, and Asoif President Francesco Ricci Bitti were also present.

“This is the right moment for Rome. The government is here, we will do our best until 2017. An event like the Olympics is a great opportunity. The projects are ready, the government is working together with CONI because sport is a piece of the Italian culture and an investment for the future” said Prime Minister that was “very excited” for the visit at the heart of the Olympic movement. “Rome is a very strong candidature – he added -. Respect for everyone but fear of no one”.

“We have seen the presentation of a very strong bid candidature which is addressing all the Olympic Agenda 2020 with a great combination of tradition and innovation by making use of many existing facilities and leaving a great legacy for the Romans and for the Italians. We have strong commitment by the President of the Council of Ministers and the whole government who with all his dynamism and commitment made the point here for the candidature of Roma so we are very pleased with this meeting and we wish the candidature of Rome all the very best in this journey until the election of the host city next year” concluded Bach.  

 “Italy has an incredible sporting tradition”, said Rome 2024 bid President Luca di Montezemolo. “Think of the leaders of the Olympic Committee like Giulio Onesti, think of the Olympic Games in 1960 that have been the first Olympics of the modern era. We are confident but the competition is still long. The bid Committee is working hard, with great unity of purpose and with the help and support of everyone, "he said, pausing then on the details of the candidature file which will be officially presented on February 17 at the IOC headquarters. According to Montezemolo, "the Flavian Amphitheatre, will be the site of the medal plaza. There will be events in Caracalla, at the beach volleyball court. The entire city with its archaeological sites will live the Olympics”. The candidature file will be presented to the IOC on February 17th, with the three areas and 70% of existing venues ready”.

 The CONI  President  Malagò highlighted the strong sporting component of the Rome 2024 team, “Bianchedi, May, Mornati, Pancalli”. “It was a wonderful meeting, in a great atmosphere, we talked about what we are building. It was very important that the government confirmed its commitment”.

 “Renzi was extraordinary not only for supporting the bid but also for the way he conducted the meeting," explained vice-president Luca Pancalli enthusiastic. "We came in with a smile and go out smiling even more, knowing that we must continue to work hard and cultivate the desire to win”.

 “The meeting went very well,” said the Rome 2024 coordinator general Diana Bianchedi. "Renzi and Bach covered the technical aspects, but what emerged from this meeting is really the great energy and positive spirit in the group”.

77% of Italians favorable to Rome’s bid to host the 2024 Olympic Games according to Ipsos Research

The Rome 2024 bid Committee publishes the results of an opinion poll relating to the possibility of hosting international events in Italy, with a specific focus on Rome’s bid to host the XXXIII edition of the Summer Olympics.

The 2.200 interviews conducted by polling firm IPSOS revealed that 3/4 of Italians are in favor of hosting large events in the country- also drawing from recent successful events like the 2006 Olympics and EXPO 2015 -, while 77% (between Romans (66%) and  Province residents (76%) )  have expressed support for Rome's Bid to host the 2024 Olympic Games, with the Paralympic Games emerging as a major sport event known to about 60% of the interviewed population.

The consensus stems from the perceived opportunity that the Games represent in triggering  employment, as well as in promoting a positive image of the country at the international level; while at the same time fostering the City’s infrastructural development and delivery of services to its residents.

Rome’s Bid is also strengthened by the trust of the many who believe in the good and transparent management of the event. Overall, the idea of hosting the Games found full support in the population which identifies the event as an incredible opportunity for the country.

View the complete Ipsos research

Intense reviewing session ahead of the appointment with the IOC

Reviewing session time for Rome 2024, in preparation of the Olympic summit dedicated to Rome’s bid for the 2024 Olympic Games between Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and IOC president Thomas Bach, planned in Lausanne on next Thursday. This week was marked by some important preparatory meetings aimed at finalizing the candidature file the IOC will receive  on  February 17^th .

Today took place the second meeting with the Board of Trustees, where the participants had the chance to discuss and share the main guidelines of the project in light of the principles contained in the Olympic Agenda 2020.

The bid Committee, with its President Luca di Montezemolo, the Vice President Luca Pancalli, the General Coordinator Diana Bianchedi, together with the President of the Italian Olympic Committee Giovanni Malagò also welcomed representatives of the main environmental associations. “It has been a very constructive debate which will be followed by a more technical one,  confirming our bid process as a shared endeavor one” said the general coordinator  Diana Bianchedi. Bid Committee President Luca di Montezemolo further commented: “I was positively impressed by today’s inclusive spirit as well as by a careful and constructive approach towards the Olympic project. We have all the same goal: to ensure that the Olympic and Paralympic Games will play a decisive role in renewing Rome from a structural, environmental and technological front”.

The Committee has also met with the team of the University of Tor Vergata - Rome coordinated by Professor Beniamino Quintieri whose analysis and study on the sustainability and legacy of the 2024 Games is now in advanced phase: "We are producing a report for the Committee on the evaluation of the real socio-economic benefits of the Games for the city of Rome and Italy. We will evaluate the employment growth, the increase in tourism, foreign investments as well as the improvement of services and infrastructures. We currently have estimated that, thanks to the Games, about 180,000 jobs will be available for young people” explains the professor. “It is still premature to make any definitive claims based on this study. Nevertheless, this analysis shows that the Games would guarantee additional revenues for 1 billion euros, I am then even more convinced that we have a unique opportunity for the renewal of Rome, a world’s a heritage that belongs to all Italians”. 

Torch Tour for Lillehammer 2016 underway

The Lillehammer 2016 Torch Tour kicked off last night at the Norwegian Sports Awards Gala.  Attended by the Crown Prince and the 19 inspirational young Changemakers that have been nominated in each of the 19 counties to carry the Torch.  They have been nominated for their activities in the community to use sport for good. The next stop will be tomorrow in Alta, the very far north of Norway and over the next month it will wind its way down to Lillehammer in time for the Opening Ceremony on 12 February.

Olympic dossier, 11 cities designated as football hosts. Malagò: “It’s the candidature of the whole Country”

Rome's candidature for the 2024 Olympic Games continues in its momentum and is increasingly becoming a national candidature. After Cagliari's designation for sailboat races, here are the choices of the cities that will be mentioned in the dossier regarding the football tournament. From North to South, it is a top team, with 11 hosting cities: Turin, Milan, Verona, Udine, Genoa, Bologna, Florence, Rome, Naples, Bari and Palermo. The tournament, which will be arranged in two parts involving the entire Italian peninsula, according to the current state of the art, would take place like this: the qualifying rounds with games at Turin’s Juventus Stadium, Genoa's Luigi Ferraris, Udine's Friuli, Verona’s Bentegodi, Bologna’s Dall’Ara, Florence’s Franchi, Bari’s San Nicola and Palermo's Barbera. The quarter finals and the semifinals at Milan's Meazza and Naples’ San Paolo and the two finals at Rome’s Olimpico.

This part of the dossier dedicated to football was illustrated by CONI President Giovanni Malagò, the President of the Rome 2024 Promotion Committee, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, the Vice President of Rome 2024 Luca Pancalli, the General Coordinator of Rome 2024 Diana Bianchedi and CONI Secretary General Roberto Fabbricini, during a presentation that took place at the headquarters of the Committee.

"The choice of city demonstrates that this is the candidature of the whole Country - emphasised Malagò -. It is easy to think of grouping Turin with Genoa, Udine with Verona, Bologna with Florence, Bari with Palermo. Milan and Naples were left out and they will be guaranteed at least one of the quarter final matches and one semifinal. At present, the Italian stadiums that meet the requirements are four: the Olympic, where we will make the last technology upgrade to host a round of the 2020 European Championships; the Juventus Stadium, which has recently hosted a final of the European League; San Siro, which in May will host the Champions League final, and the Friuli. On 17 February we will present the final dossier to IOC. But we have another year’s time for any variables".

"From Turin to Udine, Verona, Milan, from Bologna to Florence, from Bari to Naples, Palermo and Rome itself. With ten stadiums plus the Olimpico, we cover the entire national territory - adds Luca Cordero di Montezemolo -. All these facilities represent the Italian football tradition. Many of these are already up to Olympic standards, other will be upgraded, also due to current developments, which are going at the speed of light. If we think that in 2020 we will have cars with no driver, in 2024 technology will have a fundamental all-encompassing role". "Thanks to the addition of these locations in Rome's Olympic candidature dossier - continues Montezemolo - these marvellous Italian cities will have the possibility, for the first time, to live the Olympic dream, as has already happened for Rome and Naples in 1960 and for Turin in 2006. The candidature of Italy's Capital for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics becomes the candidature of the whole of Italy".

Talking about dossier preparation, the General Coordinator of Rome 2024, Diana Bianchedi, explains that "the momentum of our activities is very intense and the unity of purposes is very strong in our work with all institutions". Luca Pancalli, Vice President of the Rome 2024 Committee, highlights instead the "invisible work" of the Committee because "a great candidature starts by intercepting a critical mass on the territory, transforming it in something positive". For this reason the President of the Italian Paralympic Committee is working with Rome’s municipal Presidents "to explain to citizens with transparency what we are doing, to convince people of the opportunity that comes with hosting the Games, clarifying that there will not be any cathedrals in the desert and that everything will be done in the interest of the city

Cagliari chosen ahead of Bari as sailing venue for Rome's bid

Cagliari was today announced as the city chosen as the venue for sailing competitions for the Rome bid for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The news is published  on the Rome 2024 Committee website (www.2024roma.org). After a long and deep analysis, an evaluation commission concluded the Sardinian capital offered the best weather-marine conditions with better intensity of wind and greater regularity. Other aspects such as the environmental situation of the city on a human scale, the travel time, the Olympic village and the international popularity as a city of sailing, had a positive influence on the decision. The Legacy plans presented by Cagliari were also a further factor. In the coming months the International Federation (ISAF) will be in the city chosen for a final opinion.

Background

17 candidates in the first phase

In the first phase, started on October 7th, the Commission invited the Regions to communicate the names of the candidate cities (max 2 ) and then sent a questionnaire for the realization of the dossier. Having received all the dossiers they were evaluated and classified on the basis of two main factors: weather and environmental values and infrastructure and logistics on the territory. The two cities that came out on the short list were Cagliari and Bari.

The final challenge between Cagliari and Bari

On November 25th letters to the two cities were sent and visits for the preparation of a second dossier were fixed. From From November 30 to December 2 a visit to Cagliari took place with the participation of the city's Mayor Zedda. From December 2 to 4, a visit to Bari took place with the participation of Mayor De Caro. The main areas of interest were analyzed: the airport, the Olympic Village area, travel distances and major infrastructure. Weather data and environmental sustainability were compared. A comparative analysis of weather data, and environmental sustainability was carried out also on the "competitors" (Marseille, Kiel and Long Beach) to then finally get to the verdict that assigns the victory to Cagliari.

National Council press release

CONI's National Council No. 242 met this afternoon, at 2 pm, at the Foro Italico, to discuss the following agenda: 

1) Approval of the minutes of the 9 November 2015 meeting: the minutes were approved unanimously.

2) Report from the President: Malagò, after paying tribute to the sportsmen who died in the last month, and highlighting the important results obtained in this same period, gave a brief summary and stressed the importance of the institutional events that took place during the past week, which included the launch of the logo for Rome 2024, the ceremony to award the golden Collars in the presence of the Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, the Holy Mass for Sportsmen, officiated by His Grace Fisichella, and the reception with the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella.  Malagò then talked about the strength and cohesion of the Rome 2024 team, recalling the journey to Lausanne on 21 January with Prime Minister Renzi for the meeting with the head of IOC, Thomas Bach.  The candidature dossier is in an advanced phase, the details are being finalised. To this end, meetings took place between the representatives of the Rome 2024 Committee and those of the Federations, in addition to a round table with the Italian Presidents of the International Federations and the members of IOC. Surveys to identify the ideal locations are still ongoing, as in the case of sailing.

The good relations with the Government were reiterated: the funding project "Sport and suburbs", with the allocation of 100 million Euros for facilities in suburban areas undergoing regeneration, is a tangible proof of this.  In addition to addressing social degradation, the interventions will need to also envisage the inclusion of competitive sport practice. The first seven facilities chosen in the last few days are a starting point: a commission will be set up, with the purpose of evaluating the proposals received and establishing the areas considered by the intervention: in the last days, 453 requests were received; everything will be decided with the maximum observance of formal criteria and the maximum transparency, in compliance with four mandatory selection stages.  Defibrillators' issue: three Regions have acted autonomously, the date for compliance has been moved to the beginning of February. The President reminded participants that CONI is carefully following the procedures relating to the issue raised by the Central Institute of Statistics (ISTAT), to this day in line with the intentions of Federations. The discussion then veered onto the extraordinary news arrived in these days with regards to candidatures: the allocation to Italy of the 2018 Male Volleyball World Cup (Finals in Turin) and also of the 2022 Ryder Cup; the latter will use the Marco Simone circuit, which incidentally is also the circuit identified by the 2024 Olympic Game dossier.

The IOC Athlete Commission has asked the Regulation to be upgraded to the Italian system. Different parameters have been introduced for participation to the Commission in relation to the growth of non-Olympic disciplines: an important stepping stone also for the candidature of Alessandra Sensini to the International Olympic Committee.

The Committee was then briefed on the completion of the survey conducted by the marketing office in Rio for "Casa Italia" and on the restrictions in connection to the concession of credits. The next Board Meeting will take place on 26 January in Cortina D'Ampezzo to celebrate 60 years of Winter Olympic Games. Meetings are taking place with the Federations that have inherited past budget problems. Seasons greetings ended the communications of the last National Council. The President's report saw interventions by Ugo Claudio Matteoli (Recreational Fishing), Maurizio Casasco (Sport Doctors), Giovanni Petrucci (Basketball), Sabatino Aracu (Hockey and skating), Franco Chimenti (Golf), Carlo Magri (Volleyball), Andrea Mancino (Representative for Associated Sport Disciplines, with a communication from the National Council in relation to the guidelines for the new management software for the register of sport clubs), Ugo Salines (Representative of the Organisations for the Promotion of Sport) and Romolo Rizzi (Bowls). There was then also the intervention of Enrico Cataldi, Procurator General for Sport.

3) F.S.N.-D.S.A.-E.P.S Activity: Approval of the minutes of the New Athlete Regulation. With no other matters arising, the proceedings were closed at 3:40 pm.

Press Release of the National Board

This morning at the Foro Italico, meeting no. 1041 of the CONI National Board took place, and it started by approving the minutes of the previous meeting of 9 November. In his speech, President Malagò started by complimenting the female and male athletes that gained world-class results in the last month. The launch of the new Rome 2024 logo was met with approval, as were the successful ceremonies for awarding the Golden Collars in the presence of Primer Minister Matteo Renzi and for the reception of Olympic and (for the first time) non-Olympic disciplines world champions at the residence of the President of the Republic (Quirinale).

The Board nominated Giovanni Di Blasio, Marco Datti and Marcello Guarducci to the Anti-Doping Controls Commission upon request by the Head of NADO Italy. The next Board meeting will take place in Cortina on 26 January, at the same time as the celebrations for the 60 years since the inauguration of the Winter Olympic Games in Cortina in 1956. The Olympic Club was then updated with the addition of six new athletes. The new informatics system relating to the registry of sport clubs was presented to the Board. After having examined a long series of other organisational and administrative issues, and having formulated the necessary resolutions, the Board ended the meeting at 1:05 pm.

World champions welcomed to by the President of the Republic at the Quirinale. Mattarella: your example makes Italy a better place

The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, received this morning at the Quirinale a big delegation of Olympic and Paralympic athletes, and, for the first time, of world champions of non-Olympic disciplines. The ceremony, called to celebrate the Italian successes obtained in 2015, was attended by the Secretary General of CONI, Roberto Fabbricini, the Deputy Secretary General, Carlo Mornati, members of IOC Franco Carraro, Mario Pescante and Ottavio Cinquanta, by honorary member Manuela Di Centa, and many Federal Presidents and sport organisations recognised by CONI.

The President of CONI, Giovanni Malagò, opened the day with his introductory speech. "We are proud of this historic meeting for what it means to our world, composed of 30 million practising individuals and 11 million registered members. I want to thank President Mattarella for the sensitivity and generosity he has demonstrated, allowing us to gather Olympic and Paralympic disciplines together, and to extend the invitation to athletes of non-Olympic disciplines. I am sure that this will be a historic precedent. It is a particularly happy moment for Italian sport: yesterday's ceremony, which saw the awarding of Golden Collars in the presence of Prime Minister Renzi, the launch of the Rome 2024 logo, the allocation to Italy of the Ryder Cup, which is the third event in the world in terms of importance, are all historic events that should be witnessed with pride. I would therefore like to renew my thanks to the President for his closeness to us: any time each of our athletes makes our national hymn resound and our flag go to full mast, without fail he phones me to express his congratulations and friendship, with closeness and also with a level of competence that I must say has surprised me. This, for us, is extraordinarily important".

The President of the Italian Paralympic Committee, Luca Pancalli, emphasised the importance of this moment. "This is an extraordinary day for all our family, to which I belong since I was 17. My "boys" are proud of their azure outfit and have honoured our flag around the world, bringing a message of hope: after the drama of a road accident or of an illness, which would have floored anybody, they achieved extraordinary results, giving us courage, passion and determination, and today they are here as champions. We dream of hosting the Paralympics in Rome in 2024 for the meaning this would carry. Sport goes beyond state borders and overcomes barriers, gives special meaning to life, is a daily victory that must be celebrated with pride and joy".

The event then saw contributions by Flavia Pennetta, winner of the "US Open" tennis tournament, and Alessandro Zanardi, Winner of three golden medals at the cycling paralympics on Nottwill surface. Pennetta spoke of the "emotion and satisfaction of athletes present, for having left their personal mark in competitions of great importance". It makes us proud to hear of the closeness of President Mattarella and obtain so many rewards that bring prestige to our country". Alex Zanardi echoed the gratitude coming from the Paralympic world. "Life teaches us that great conquests are reached with small steps. This ceremony is extraordinary, it makes us proud, and it is also important for who tried without succeeding.

The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, closed the ceremony emphasising the importance of sport as a tool for well-being, capable of expressing key values for our society. "You are the champions, the emblems and symbols of Italian sport.  Your successes promote sporting practice and provide a serious contribution to the well-being of the Italian people. I am not talking only of physical well-being, but of a practical and concrete example of good conduct. Paralympic sport, for example, allows who has a disability to adapt it to his life's requirements, even it is not possible for the disability to be eliminated; therefore, Paralympic sport is important for all disabled people and for everyone who finds facing a competition more demanding than other people. Sport means fairness, fair play, following the rules: all qualities that our country is in great need of. For this reason, we must remain firmly against any form of doping. The example given by sport champions seeps deeply into the social fabric. For this reason, I really liked CONI's initiative "Win as grown-ups", conceived to offer children in difficult social and local environments a free and eye-opening sport, education and personal experience, representing an important opportunity to follow a healthy growth and development process. I renew my encouragement to you in advance of the Rio 2016 Games, hoping that they will bring us many medals, also with a view to Rome 2024: the logo is very beautiful, I hope that we will reach the finishing line".