President Mattarella to receive Bach at Quirinale on Friday

On Friday, May 22, the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, will receive the President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, along with the President of CONI, Giovanni Malagò, several IOC members and the former Presidents of CONI, Franco Carraro and Mario Pescante. The Head of State will preview the copy of the "Onesti Award".

Afterwards, at 11.30am, in the Hall of Honour of CONI, President Bach will receive the "Onesti Award 2015" conferred by the Onesti Foundation, chaired by Franco Carraro.

BNL Group BNP PARIBAS main sponsor of CONI

BNL Group BNP Paribas and CONI, thanks to a relationship which has lasted over 70 years, today announced a new partnership to develop initiatives and projects aimed at backing sporting activities at all levels, in order to support business ideas and to further spread sports culture. BNL is the Main Sponsor of CONI exclusively for banking activity and for financial services. BNL and CONI already share a history full of historic events and initiatives such as the 1960 Rome Olympic Games, the 1990 World Cup in Italy; the feat of the five Azzurri athletes (Erica Alfridi, Deborah Gelisio, Josefa Idem, Ylenia Scapin and Alessandra Sensini) at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, through the "BNL Cerchi e Stelle" [BNL Circles and Stars] initiative, sponsorship for the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano.  BNL is, also, the partner of 44 Sports Federations and Bank of the Italian Paralympic Committee and of the main Federations linked to it.

The new partnership arises from the wish to enhance respective skills and abilities, putting them to use for those who make sport an important part of their life and their activity: athletes, young people, families, university students, entrepreneurs and start-uppers, until reaching the Italian Olympic team. That is in the belief that sport is an important factor in training and education for people and young people in particular: dedication, perseverance and fairness represent, in fact, necessary elements for achievement and for improving results, in sport as in the private and professional life of the individual. For this, BNL provides, within the framework of the agreement, commitment, firstly, to the family financing which makes the costs easier to bear for the sporting activities of their members, paying in instalments with dedicated conditions and offering, in this way, a real and useful contribution to family finances. However BNL also takes into account '"entrepreneurship in sport", to support athletes or champions who do not compete any more but who have experience and knowledge of the sports world and its requirements and wish set up their own business idea. All this is possible through the micro-credit sector in which BNL operates through an industrial partnership with PerMicro, leader in the Italian market.

The support is not only limited to financing, but it also includes mentoring for new entrepreneurs by specialised teams to assist them in the preparation of the business plan and in the different stages of start-up, management and business development. The initiative also caters for young people whose start-up is related to the world of sports, and for those which are working in a contest which rewards the best business project, emphasizing aspects of innovation, with a focus on technology, of sustainability over time and ability to generate income.

The BNL-CONI partnership also focuses on training opportunities with the project “EduCare for Sport”, which involves athletes, young athletes and university students in order to explore themes related to economic and financial education and their application in the area of sports and everyday life. Banking experts, professionals, sports managers and champions will be present at the events. EduCare is the economic and financial education project started by BNL in 2008 with free meetings throughout Italy. In six years over 4 thousand events have been organised with the participation of around 80 thousand people and 8 thousand companies.

Within the framework of the agreement, last but not least, an offer is also expected for the athletes and for sports fans through Hello bank!, the digital bank of the BNP Paribas group, operating in Italy with BNL, as well as in France, Belgium and Germany.  The closeness of BNL to sport and to CONI is well known also for its commitment to tennis, which sees the Bank since 2007 as title sponsor of the "Internazionali BNL d'Italia".  BNL has contributed, also together with CONI and FIT [Italian Tennis Federation], to the growth over time of this Tournament, which has become one the most important events in the sector, anticipated by a multitude of enthusiasts both nationally and internationally.  The support of the Bank at events of such high standing also allows for the recovery and valuing of places, such as the Foro Italico and its facilities, which form part of an artistic and cultural heritage of great value for the Country.

Olympic champion Niccolò Campriani named as Baku 2015 ambassador

Baku 2015 has today announced that Italian shooter and Olympic champion Niccolò Campriani will be an Athlete Ambassador for this summer’s inaugural European Games. Campriani won a gold and silver medal in rifle events at London 2012, establishing two Olympic records in the first event, and equaling the Olympic record in the second. He was named the 2012 ISSF Shooter of the Year.

With the addition of Mr Campriani, Baku 2015 now has a total of 12 international Athlete Ambassadors. Simon Clegg, Chief Operating Officer of Baku 2015, said: “With only 36 days to go until Baku 2015, it is extremely exciting to bring Niccolò on board as an Athlete Ambassador. Niccolò is the reigning Olympic champion in his discipline and we are delighted to add another world-leading athlete to our lineup of inspirational International Ambassadors.”

Baku 2015 Athlete Ambassadors will represent their sports and feature in marketing campaigns around the continent and on social media, to promote the European Games. Campriani said: “I am very excited to be an Athlete Ambassador for the inaugural European Games, and honoured to be chosen alongside such leading athletes from around the continent. I am really looking forward to the opportunity to help raise the profile of the very first European Games across the world.”

Giovanni Malagò, President of the Italian Olympic Committee, said: “Niccolò is a wonderful addition to the Baku 2015 Ambassador programme. I have no doubt that he will do a fantastic job promoting the European Games, as well as building the excitement and support for all our athletes in the lead up to Baku 2015". Campriani joins German table tennis player Dimitrij Ovtcharov, Greek fencer Vassiliki Vougiouka, Irish boxer Katie Taylor, Team GB’s taekwondo athlete Jade Jones, French rhythmic gymnast Kseniya Moustafaeva, Denmark’s canoe sprinter René Holten Poulsen, Serbia’s 3x3 basketball team of Dušan Domović Bulut, Marko Savic, Marko Zdero and Dejan Majstorovic, and Poland mountain biker Maja Włoszczowska as Baku 2015 international Athlete Ambassadors, with more to be announced in the near future.

Walk of Fame opened in Rome: 100 plaques to celebrate Italian sports legends

The legend lives on in the pleased gazes of the champions, leading actors of a never-ending splendor, and is reflected in the awe-struck smiles of the admiring fans, flocked to attend an inauguration surrounded by the heady scent of immortal glory. A unique snapshot, which overlaps different eras, intersecting them in a fulfilling osmosis that perfectly conveys a sense of infinity. Today, the curtain has raised on the "Walk of Fame" of Italian sport: 100 names embedded in dedicated celebratory tiles, a path paved with "stars" which extends from Viale delle Olimpiadi to Stadio Olimpico, a street museum that has to be admired while walking, all in one go. Unforgettable triumph, invincible athletes, and immortal emotions: myths that wrote a special and beautiful story and gave prestige to the country, in that Italy that is synonymous with excellence. One hundred timeless champion, chosen upon the exclusive decision of the CONI Athletes Commission chaired by Marco Durante. Viale delle Olimpiadi is full of those athletes, some are represented by their family members, and many others came to cheer: the most beautiful part of a movement that has always excited Italians.

The President of CONI, Giovanni Malagò, inaugurated the Walk of Fame with a sincere emphasis. "It's a special moment, the best occasion for anyone involved in sport. We did what was right: we wanted to celebrate the ones who wrote history. A hundred names, chosen by the athletes themselves, a list that will be expanded with the names of those who will continue to make our country great and proud. It was our duty, and I want to say thank you to these great champions, of which we will remember the deeds by walking on this historic, Olympic avenue". The President stressed that the victories of Pietro Mennea in Moscow and Federica Pellegrini in Beijing are his most "symbolic moments" in the 101 years of activity of CONI.

Marco Durante, President of the Commission that drafted the list of champions, further amplified that concept. "This is an important day to celebrate sport. We are sorry for the disputes related to our choices, but we wanted to remember not only champions and victories, but also people and values. We also realized an app dedicated to the Walk of Fame and available for download from the official website of CONI: with this app you will be able to discover the triumphs and the biographies of these 100 myths which really left an indelible mark."

Alberto Tomba and Sara Simeoni ideally led the group of the legends: they are the athletes of the century, who received the award during the celebrations for the centenary of CONI; they are the spiritual standard-bearers of a homogeneous delegation that knows no distinctions, beyond all ages. Just like the quintessence of sport, a universal language than oversteps any difference. One hundred plates in strict birth order: from Giorgio Trissino (riding) to Domenico Fioravanti (swimming) history can be caressed forever. The athletics is the most represented discipline, with 12 champions, followed by cycling (seven athletes), fencing and football (both with five athletes) for a total of 31 disciplines. A memorable day held in the presence of several members of the Executive and the National Council, the CIO member Mario Pescante, the presidents of various Federations and Associate Sports Disciplines, and the executives of CONI and CONI Servizi. A big party to celebrate a never-ending walk in history.

Opening of the "Walk of Fame" scheduled for tomorrow

The President of CONI, Giovanni Malagò, will inaugurate tomorrow the "Walk of Fame", dedicated to the first 100 legendary athletes that have written the history of Italian sport, in Viale delle Olimpiadi at the Foro Italico. The ceremony will be held near the Casa delle Armi and will begin at 12 pm.

The names of the champions - retired athletes selected by the Athletes Commission of CONI, presided over by Marco Durante - will be honoured with personalized plaques that will present Italy’s sporting heritage to everyone who travels the road leading to the Olympic Stadium.

Baku 2015: 3x3 Basketball, results of the draw

The International Federation of Basketball announced yesterday the results of the draw for the men’s and women’s 3x3 Basketball competitions at the Baku 2015 European Games. As host nation, Azerbaijan will be represented in both competitions, and will be playing the Netherlands (currently ranked number one in the world), Switzerland and Greece in the women’s Group A, while the men will be competing against Andorra, the Czech Republic and Switzerland in Group D.

In the women’s competition, Group B will feature the Czech Republic, Belgium, Turkey and Ukraine; Spain, Slovenia, Ireland and Slovakia will meet in Group C, while Romania, Russia, Israel and Lithuania make up group D. In the men’s event, Group A includes Slovenia, Romania, Lithuania and Israel; Group B will feature Russia, Spain, Turkey and Belgium, while Estonia, Serbia, Italy and Greece make up Group C. Following the round-robin group phase, all teams will progress to the direct elimination phase, where they will be seeded based on their final placing in the group stage.

Mr Pierce O'Callaghan, Director of Sport at Baku 2015, said: "As one of the new and innovative sports included in the Baku 2015 programme, there will be a huge amount of interest in 3x3 Basketball. Competition to be crowned the first ever European Games champions is sure to be intense. "Everything is now in place to stage great Games, and we are delighted to have the best teams competing here in Baku this summer."

Lisboa2Baku: Cyclist Cristovao makes a stop at the Foro Italico

Jorge Cristovao, the protagonist of the original cycling challenge "Lisboa2Baku", arrived in Rome on Saturday, May 2^nd; Cristovao started his journey on April 10^th to bring his message through some of the countries that will participate in the first edition of the European Games which will be held from June 12^th to 28^th in the capital of Azerbaijan.

Jorge will travel 6990km in 60 days by bike, from Lisbon to Baku, and should reach his goal on June 10^th, two days before the Opening Ceremony. "Lisboa2Baku" is an initiative supported by the Portuguese Olympic Committee to promote the continental event.

After Italy, the trip will include Greece, Turkey and Georgia. His passage through our country started on April 26^th and will end on May 6^th. After being in Genoa, La Spezia, Prato and Bettolle, in Soriano del Cimino on May 1^st, on May 2^nd, Cristovao stopped in Rome where, among other things, he visited the headquarters of the CONI and the European Olympic Committees at the Foro Italico. His next stop will be in Brindisi, where he will embark to Greece.

Statement of the National Council

CONI’s National Council held its 239th meeting this afternoon - at the Foro Italico – to discuss the following agenda:

1) Approval of the minutes of the meeting of 10 February 2015: the minutes were unanimously approved

2) Communications by the President: Malagò opened the meeting with the presentation of the Stella d’Oro for sports achievements awarded to the newly elected President of FISE, Vittorio Orlandi (in the photo), and by expressing his condolences also on behalf of CONI to FIB President, Romolo Rizzoli, for the loss of his beloved wife, Mrs. Angela Stornelli. Subsequently, the personalities of the sports world who have deceased in the past two months were remembered, as well as the important results achieved by the national athletes in the same period. The President then highlighted the coming endeavours connected to the inauguration of the Kinder + Sport area at the EXPO of Milan, scheduled for May 4: the National Committee and Assembly will hold their meetings within the area of the World Expo – on July 1 and 2. With regard to the episodes of violence in football stadiums recently occurred, Malagò stressed that it is essential – in order to definitely contain the phenomenon – to take further measures in support of the activities of the federal bodies in charge of security. The Assembly of all Athletes will be held on May 7 as well as the inauguration of the Walk of Fame in Via delle Olimpiadi, which will host 100 national former athletes, who have distinguished themselves in the course of their career, on the basis of the nominations put forth by the same Athletes’ Commission chaired by Marco Durante, currently on a mission to present the Italian candidacy to the golf Ryder Cup in 2022. Amongst the coming events, scheduled for May 22 is the ceremony for the Onesti prize awarded to CIO President Thomas Bach by the Foundation bearing the name of the historic President of CONI. Malagò debriefed the Committee on his mission to Sochi for the SportAccord meeting and then stressed, with regard to the activities of the Enti di Promozione (Promotion Bodies), that, thanks to the online certification and use of fiscal codes, the future situation can be managed on the basis of objective parameters. Malagò then brought the Committee’s attention to the recent agreements signed with Alitalia and with the Ministry of Defense, as well as the definition of logistic relations with the Università degli Studi di Roma, on the basis of the Decree of the Ministry of Finance connected to the spaces in the building opposite the Farnesina (CIVIS building). The committee then discussed the issue of the duration of the Presidential mandate, and it was brought to the attention of the Committee that adequate evaluations on the matter are required and will be brought to the attention of the future Sports Undersecretary, and will be anyway in full respect of the proceedings of the Senate’s Commissione Cultura (Culture Commission), concerning the repercussions that said choices could have on the international careers of our top managers. Malagò stressed how confirmation was obtained regarding the fees due to the federal Presidents also for year 2015 and on the ISTAT front, the option of an appeal to the Court of Cassation is being evaluated, while it was also stressed that there is a need to update the procedures regarding the introduction of electronic invoicing. Malagò also introduced Claudia Bugno, general coordinator of the Roma 2024 promotion committee and head of the press office Alessandro Vocalelli, stressing how by the end of the month of June the Capitoline Assembly will convene to formalize Rome’s undertaking to host the Summer Olympic Games in 2024. Finally, it was confirmed that the Federazione Italiana Hockey will end its receivership phase on May 10 with the elective Assembly, the same goes for CONI’s Regional Committees of Lombardy and Calabria which will hold their elections on May 23 and June 6 respectively. The second edition of the CONI Trophy will be held in Lignano Sabbiadoro.

3) FSN-DSA-EPS activities: The deliberation regarding the limitation in number of non-EU Athletes was approved unanimously: 1185 for the professional federal activities for 2015-2016, 5 less than previously.

4) Administration and financial statements: after an intervention by Mr. Alberto De Nigro, the financial statements for 2014 were then examined and deliberated for approval by the National Committee, and show a substantially balanced economic result (+ €1 million), in line with that of the previous year. The production value is equal to €437.6 million, of which the main components are represented by public resources (€413.2 m, - €6 m with respect to 2013), by commercial revenues from the exploitation of the CONI brand (€6m + €2.2 m with respect to 2013, an increase connected to the Sochi 2014 projects and CONI’s centenary, which at the same time entailed greater costs), by revenues realized directly by the regional committees at local level (€8.6 m + €3.2 m with respect to 2013). Production costs, equal to €438.3 m, have been mainly allocated to the National Sports Federations, in the amount of over €288 m (equal to approx. 66 % of total production costs), of which €244.2 m for direct contributions and €43.8 m (not inclusive of VAT) for services in kind provided by Coni Servizi SpA within the considerations agreed in the annual service contract. The other items relative to the production costs are represented by contributions in favour of other funded Bodies (€23.3 m), by the service contract considerations referred to the activities performed by Coni Servizi for CONI (€58.5 m, before VAT), by the amounts allocated to the State for VAT dues and in application of the norms for curbing public spending (€27.1 m, equal to 6% of the production costs), as well as by the costs borne directly by CONI’s Territorial Structures (€21.6 € m, equal to 5% of the production costs), including the Progetto Sport di Classe realized with the MIUR and the Prime Minister’s office.

5) Any other business: regarding the President’s report, the following people commented: Giovanni Petrucci (Basketball), Paolo Barelli (Swimming), Luciano Buonfiglio (Canoeing and Kayaking) and Antonio Rossi (Athletes’ Representative). There being no other business, the meeting was closed at 4:20 pm.

Statement of the National Committee

This morning, CONI’s National Committee held its 1034th meeting which began with the approval of the minutes of the previous meeting of March 10. In his statement Malagò began by announcing that the Onesti Foundation has awarded the 2015 Onesti Award to CIO President, Thomas Bach. Bach will be in Rome to receive the prestigious award, also given in the past to his predecessors Samaranch and Rogge, on May 22. During the course of the day, he will visit the new premises of the Committee for the Promotion of Rome 2024 at the Foro Italico and will attend a lunch with the CIO members and the Italian Presidents of International Federations in Acqua Acetosa which hosts the Centro di Preparazione Olimpica (Olympic training centre) named after the same Giulio Onesti. Malagò then informed the Committee of a series of issues relating to sports policies: the governing Authority has recognized an allowance to the Federal Presidents for 2015, Vice Secretary General Carlo Mornati was nominated Head of Mission of the Baku 2015 European Games and the Rio Olympic Games 2016, it was acknowledged that the Federazione Italiana Hockey will conclude its receivership phase in May with the elective Assembly, the same applies also to CONI’s Regional Committees of Lombardia and Calabria which will hold elections on May 23 and June 6 respectively.

The issue of violence in football stadiums was debated at length and President Malagò said he is waiting to meet with Interior Minister Alfano and the leading actors in the world of football. The Stella d’Oro (Golden Star) for sports achievements was awarded to the President of the Italian Federation of Equestrian Sports, Vittorio Orlandi. Malagò then announced that the “Walk of Fame” of Italian sports will be inaugurated on May 7, with the first 100 legends immortalized in remembrance slabs along the Viale delle Olimpiadi. The recent agreements signed with Alitalia and with the Ministry of Defense were highlighted, as also a report on CONI’s presence at the SportAccord meeting in Sochi. It was decided that, on the government’s request, on May 24, there will be a minute’s silence in all sports events in memory of those killed in the First World War (1915). Yesterday, Federnuoto (swimming federation) delivered a report to CONI with the counter deductions on CONI’s Audit which will be discussed in the meeting of May 19. The new Olympic Club for winter sports has been defined in view of the 2018 Pyeongchang Games. The next National Committee meeting will be held in Milan on July 2 within the EXPO event and amongst those invited to attend are the Mayor of Rome Ignazio Marino, the President of Roma 2024, Luca di Montezemolo and the candidacy staff. The Committee acknowledged and appreciated the report by the Corte dei Conti (State Auditors Department) on CONI for the year 2013 which expressed positive judgments on the administration on the latter.

Furthermore it was informed about the Decree of the Ministry of Finance published on the Gazzetta Ufficiale which assigned to Coni Servizi some of the premises adjacent to the Parco del Foro Italico. CONI’s financial statements for 2014 were then examined and deliberated for approval by the National Committee, and show a substantially balanced economic result (+ €1 million), in line with that of the previous year. The production value is equal to €437.6 million, of which the main components are represented by public resources (€413.2 m, - €6 m with respect to 2013), by commercial revenues from the exploitation of the CONI brand (€6m + €2.2 m with respect to 2013, an increase connected to the Sochi 2014 projects and CONI’s centenary, which at the same time entailed greater costs), by revenues realized directly by the regional committees at local level (€8.6 m + €3.2 m with respect to 2013). Production costs, equal to €438.3 m, have been mainly allocated to the National Sports Federations , in the amount of over €288 m (equal to approx. 66 % of total production costs), of which €244.2 m for direct contributions and €43.8 m (not inclusive of VAT) for services in kind provided by Coni Servizi SpA within the considerations agreed in the annual service contract.

The other items relative to the production costs are represented by contributions in favour of other funded Bodies (€23.3 m), by the service contract considerations referred to the activities performed by Coni Servizi for CONI (€58.5 m, before VAT), by the amounts allocated to the State for VAT dues and in application of the norms for curbing public spending (€27.1 m, equal to 6% of the production costs), as well as by the costs borne directly by CONI’s Territorial Strictures (€21.6 € m, equal to 5% of the production costs), including the Progetto Sport di Classe realized with the MIUR and the Prime Minister’s office. After having examined a long series of other issues of organizational and administrative nature and having passed the relative resolutions, the Committee closed the meeting at 12:30.

The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev captured the official flame of the Baku 2015

The special ceremony took place in the ancient and sacred temple of Ateshgah, Baku. Also present at the event commemorating the start of the flame’s journey across Baku – The Journey of the Flame - was First Lady and Chair of Baku European Games Organising Committee Mehriban Aliyeva and President of the European Olympic Committees Patrick Hickey, along with 150 distinguished guests. Ateshgah, one of Azerbaijan’s most remarkable landmarks, stands on a site renowned for its naturally occuring flames, sacred to Zoroastrian fire worshippers for centuries. In a throw back to Ancient Greece where the Olympic Flame was kindled from the rays of the sun, Azerbaijan, ‘the land of Fire’ captured the flame for the first European Games from the earth.

President Aliyev began proceedings with a welcome address during which he said: “Our nation has truly harnessed the power of sport to effect positive change. Our capital city has been transformed through the many improvements in infrastructure in place for Baku 2015, ensuring a lasting legacy for the first European Games, and an innovative blueprint to pass on to the next host city. The Torch Relay we will launch this evening will be an inspirational journey around Azerbaijan, led by torchbearers representing all sections of our community. It will showcase our country’s captivating natural beauty, while continuing to involve our entire population in the Games, in the spirit of unity and celebration through sport".

President Hickey who praised Azerbaijan and all of its preparations to date said: “The Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect are perfectly expressed through the Torch Relay. By passing the flame from one to another in a collaborative gesture, torchbearers spread a message of peace, friendship and celebration through sport. Baku 2015 will come to life through the dedication and effort of your entire country. It has been an absolute pleasure working with the Azerbaijani leadership. Your professionalism and focus has never failed to impress us". Guests were treated to a display of national dancing and musical performances as part of the celebration of the Journey of the Flame before the President, First Lady and President Hickey entered the ancient temple to capture the flame. At this point the gates of the ancient temple closed behind the First Couple and guests were able to view the historical moment on big screens outside the walls. An impressive pyrotechnic display errupted the moment the flame was captured and they returned back trough the gates. 

President Aliyev was then joined by Olympic handball Champion Rafiga Shabanova who became the European Games first torchbearer as the President passed the torch to her and she began the Journey of the Flame. In a celebration of Azerbaijan’s extraordinary landscape, culture and heritage, the flame will travel the length and breadth of the country, spreading the spirit of the Games and warming the hearts of people in 60 locations. The torch will come within an hour’s travelling time of 99% of the Azerbaijan population and thousands of people are expected to join in the daily celebrations along the route.