Baku 2015 European Games signs broadcast deal in Italy

Baku 2015 European Games has today signed a broadcast deal to ensure the inaugural event will be broadcast in Italy. Leading broadcaster Sky Italia will screen live coverage and highlights across its sports channels, as well as providing extensive coverage on Sky Go. The station has secured exclusive rights in the country and will also promote the Games via its popular Sky Sport 24 news channel to increase awareness and share the excitement of the inaugural European Games.

Mr Simon Clegg, Chief Operating Officer of Baku 2015, said: “We are very pleased to have agreed this deal with Sky Italia to guarantee extensive coverage of the European Games in Italy. “As one of the continent’s most successful sporting nations, we are expecting Italy to send a very strong team to Baku 2015 in pursuit of gold medals and glory.” Founded in 2003, Sky Italia has 4.7 million subscribers and an audience of more than 13 million viewers in the country and is considered one of Europe’s most respected sports broadcasters. The company broadcast the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games and also hold the rights for the Italy’s premier football competition Serie A, as well as the Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League and the European Qualifiers.

Mr Matteo Mammì, Director of Sport Rights, Programming and Production at Sky Italia, said: “The first European Games will be a brilliant celebration of sport enjoyed by the whole continent and we are very proud to be providing coverage in our country. “We are very much looking forward to a thrilling 17 days of competition in Baku and bringing the best of all the action to our subscribers.”

Mr Giovanni Malagò, President of the Italian National Olympic Committee, said: “We are delighted that the first European Games will be available for sports fans to view on the leading Italian TV broadcaster, as well as its online and mobile platforms. “This is great news for our athletes and millions of supporters, and I am sure this will help make Baku 2015 a success in Italy.”

Mr Charlie Wijeratna, Commercial Director of Baku 2015, added: “International broadcast sales are progressing very well, and it is fantastic that we have signed this agreement to broadcast the Games with such a renowned channel as Sky Italia. “The deal is another success for Baku 2015 and reflects the continued interest we are receiving from major broadcasters around the world. There will be more announcements relating to European countries in the coming months as we convert the deals we have agreed in principle into long-form contracts.”

National Board meeting take place on January 13

The 1031nd meeting of the National Board of CONI will be held on 13 January 2015, in Rome at the Foro Italico, starting at 10:00 am. 

This is the agenda:

1) Minutes from 18 December 2014

2) Notifications from the President

3) Olympic and High Level Activities

4) National Sports Federation Activities - Associated Sport Disciplines - Sports Promotion Bodies - Anti-Doping Activities

5) Territorial organisations

6) CONI-Coni Servizi Spa Relations

7) Administrative Affairs

8) Miscellaneous and proposals of National Board members.

ATP awards BNL Italian Open as "Best Fan Experience" of the circuit

BNL Italian Open received the prize for being the "Best Fan Experience" in the ATP circuit. During the International Tennis Association's Workshop in Monte Carlo, the tournament, which was organized thanks to a partnership between Coni Servizi and Federtennis, was awarded the prize for its many fan-oriented services, its leisure and entertainment programs linked to the sporting and culture world, its care of green areas that enhance the beauty of the Foro Italico and the great variety of offerings supplied by its mall, as well as for its promotion of entertainment initiatives targeted at the audience, especially with reference to the evening format "Ballroom – The New Night Experience", which in 2014 was attended by more than 60,000 young people during its 11 scheduled events. The Director of Operations of the Tournament, Diego Nepi, and the Technical Director, Sergio Palmieri, received the award. This is the second time the roman tournament was awarded this prize, the first one being in 2013.

Pope Francis blesses Rome's bid to 2024 Olympics

"My best wishes to Rome for its candidacy to host the Olympic Games in 2024. I will not be there." Pope Francis blessed the candidacy of Rome for the 2024 Olympic Games, meeting the sportsmen after the Holy Mass for Athletes celebrated in St. Peter's Basilica that closed the celebrations for the first Centenary of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI).

National Council press release, ok to the Rome 2024 candidature

The 237th CONI National Council met this afternoon, at 15:00, at the Casa delle Armi building in the Foro Italico, to discuss the following agenda:

1) Approval of the minutes of 28 October 2014: the minutes were approved unanimously.

2) Message from the President: Malagò opened proceedings by awarding with the Stella D’Oro al Merito Sportivo (Italian award for sporting merit) the Presidents of Associated Sports Discipline, Leoluca Orlando (FIDAF- Italian Federation of American Football), Danilo Barmaz (Rafting), Sergio Bellini (Bowling), Dino Berti (Traditional Games and Sports), Enrico Costa (Handball), Vincenzo Drago (Wushu Kung Fu), Franco Ferraresi (Twirling), Mauro Gazzerro (Sport Orientation), Donato Milano (Kickboxing), Gavino Mura (Sports Shooting), Renzo Tondo (Draughts), the Stella D'Argento to CUSI (University Centre of Italian Sport), Lorenzo Lentini, to the memory of Lilli Coiana, Cirano Tondi (CONI Delegate in Switzerland). The memory of the people linked to the world of sport who have passed in the last two months was then honoured, with a special thought for Virna Lisi - who died on this day - and the remarkable results achieved by the Italian athletes in the same period were subsequently listed.

Malagò then returned to the announcement of the candidature of Rome for the Olympic Games in 2024, stressing the need to be a "team". It was recalled how President Bach of the IOC has fulfilled the promises, because now the candidature process has different characteristics compared to the past. This does not mean having unrestricted freedom: the extra-territorial nature does not mean that we can organise the event in all the cities of Italy, because this would mean removing the strength of the candidacy, thereby threatening to undermine the efforts made. The geographical realities and logistics of our country need to be considered, but it was pointed out with pride that Italy has taken to the field before the USA. The Italian Prime Minister Renzi, with regards to the dynamics of the candidacy, has spoken of areas included within a circumscribed radius: Sardinia is one hypothesis, as the place for sailing, for example, at the Beijing Games was a two-hour flight from the capital city of China. Gratitude was expressed towards those who would like this dream to materialise. Malagò ruled out that he might lead the organising committee, but he will find a way to support the action of those who will be responsible for this task. It will be a totally different candidature from the past: there will be room for the young, with assessments and objective, innovative choices. Space will be given to new elements, thanks to a relentlessly transparent process. The candidature will be handled, this is the hope, mostly with private money to avoid complaints of excessive use of public money. The President then revealed that he had sat with Raffaele Cantone, the current President of the ANAC (Italian National Anti-Corruption Authority), inviting him to immediately join the Committee, getting an affirmative response although still directly involved with the EXPO project until October.

The Council was then urged to take note of the important signal given by the level of funding obtained from the government but with the knowledge, for the future, of having to start from scratch, with assurances, even with the hope of getting greater resources, without taking anything for granted. Malagò also returned to the extensive guarantees received, always from the government, on the resolution of the problems of the Federations for inclusion in the ISTAT (Italian National Institute of Statistics) list. The award ceremony has been held, a moment of extraordinary excitement, in order to give deserved recognition to those who obtained significant results, and sympathy was expressed to the Jesi Fencing Club for the act of vandalism that struck the gym right after receiving the honour. The CONI Trophy created a real buzz, with the Regions ready to contend for the award in the second edition of the event. The new regulation of the sports promotion bodies was approved, and hope was expressed that this will smooth out relationships between the various situations, avoiding litigation. The President then recalled the extension of the compulsory administrations of the FISE (Italian Federation of Equestrian Sports) and of the Hockey Federation. Three changes to dates relating to the schedule of public meetings already established were then communicated: in February the Board will be held in the CIP (Italian Paralympic Committee), in July Board and Council will meet instead at the EXPO in Milan. Malagò then renewed the invitation to the entire Council prior to the Holy Mass of the Athletes tomorrow, which will be exceptionally officiated by Cardinal Ravasi in St Peter's, with the greeting of Pope Francis to the entire movement. 

In the President's report the following people have intervened: Alfio Giomi (Athletics), Vincenzo Manco (EPS Representative), Maurizio Casasco (Sports Doctors), Giovanni Petrucci (FIP - Italian Basketball Federation), Massimo Achini, Giorgio Musacchia and Ugo Salines (EPS Representatives).

3) F.S.N.-D.S.A.-E.P.S Activity: The Council unanimously approved the candidature of Rome in the Olympic Games in 2024, adopting a similar line of action for the other following resolutions: Extension of compulsory administrations of the FISE (with just the abstention of Gianfranco Ravà), extension of compulsory administrations of the Italian Hockey Federation (with just the abstention of Ugo Claudio Matteoli) and new regulations for the allocation of sports awards. Having nothing else to discuss, the meeting was concluded at 16:40.

National Board announcement

The Foro Italico hosted this morning the 1030th meeting of the CONI National Board, which began its work by approving the minutes of the previous meeting, held on November 18. President Malagò updated the Board on the recent contacts with the Government, also in relation to the candidacy of Rome as host for the 2024 Olympic Games. The Board approved. The President then proceeded to inform the Board about his telephone conversation with the IOC President, Thomas Bach, who delivered some important and significant words to him about the candidacy of Rome.

On the same subject, Malagò then informed the Board that he would meet the President of the Anti-Corruption Authority, Raffaele Cantone, in January. The Board also decided to carry out the regular Board meeting in the headquarters of the Italian Paralympic Committee in March, while in July, the Board meeting and the National Council meeting will be held within the EXPO in Milan. As a result of a long debate, the Board also extended the receivership of the Equestrian Sports and Field Hockey Federations for six additional months, while committing to carry out elections as soon as possible. After reviewing a long list of other organizational and administrative issues and taking relevant resolutions, the Board ended its work at 12:30.

Rome bids for 2024 Olympics. Prime Minister Renzi announces "We want to win"

CONI and Italian government join forces for the most important game: the candidacy of Rome for 2024 Summer Olympics. The Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi, who made the official announcement, streamed live by RAI television, also conveyed an undoubtedly effective message. "Italy is now a candidate for 2024 Olympics, with Rome at the center of this project, but we are not going to do it just to participate, in the spirit of De Coubertin: be assured, we will do it to win". The speech was greeted with a thunderous and determined applause in the Hall of Honor of CONI, which proudly hosts illustrious guests from the world of sports: Olympic medalists of all ages, world champions, VIPs and much-decorated sports clubs. A significant cross-section of the country's sport history that saluted the Premier's announcement, made during the giving ceremony of the Golden Collars and the Gold and Silver Stars of Sports Merit.

The President of CONI, Giovanni Malagò, on stage with the Secretary General, Roberto Fabbricini, opened the day with a message of gratitude dedicated to all the members of the great sports family. "We are proud to celebrate such a number of champions, who contributed to show the successful face of the country with their victories and their example. Now, as never before, has this event become so important, especially in consideration of the current anticipations. Today, dear Premier, we have reunited our entire world in a sport celebration for all the athletes that made Italian sports so great in the last season. The Golden Collars are always very much appreciated, even by people accustomed to stand on world championship podiums and to participate in Olympic competitions. Thank you, Matteo: even in this times you have always been very close to our world, and to Undersecretary Graziano Delrio, with whom we have a friendship that goes beyond official relations". Malagò concretely summarized the concept by revealing an upcoming legislative measure concerning the resolution of the problem linked to the Federations included in the ISTAT list. Afterwards, he greeted all the attending champions devoting a special thought "to two of them: Sara Simeoni and Armin Zoeggler. Long live Italian sport". Andrea Fusco, who hosted the event along with two exceptional protagonists, Federica Pellegrini and Alex Zanardi, left then the floor to the First Minister, Matteo Renzi.

"For someone like me, who is quite hopeless at playing sports, being here is truly great. I started playing with the balls in Malago's office. That is the best office in the world, as Disneyland would be for a kid. I would not be able to perform a triathlon like the one performed by Alex Zanardi even if I was in a motorboat. Any new athlete knows that his adventure will not be an easy one: if he were looking for easiness, he would not have chosen that career. Therefore, with that same spirit we will be close to CONI from now to September 2015 to present our bid to 2014 Olympic Games. An application that fills our heart with emotion, pride and hardships. We will have the most advanced facilities in the world, thanks to our Made in Italy. We will be at the forefront of expenditure control for all the technical structures, and we will have a cutting-edge project, obviously focused on Rome. Then, it will be up to CONI and to the technical team to be able to widen the proposal put forward by the IOC. Imagine you can have a range that allows your bid to be reliable and ultimately to win. With all due respect to De Coubertin" continued the First Minister, "we are not making this bid to participate, but to win, and we will do that along with the cities that can help this project the most, starting from the territory around Rome, and then Florence, Naples and Sardinia. The detailed procedures of this will be in the availability of the organizing committee that will be instituted in January, and will be under the supervision of CONI and its President Giovanni Malagò. We will do everything it will take to make this project, that will be voted in September 2017, a project to be proud of. We might not win, we might not make it, and we might give up. It might happen. Nevertheless, when we see that we might not make it, is when we must find a new moment of life, and be determined and ready. You all know that the commitment in every single point is what makes each of us people, and not numbers. The Italian government altogether is ready to do its share. We do not want this to be an unsubstantiated project, made up of large infrastructure and big dreams, but a project made of great people, the athletes: you, who succeeded in winning medals, but also the many unknown athletes, who train themselves in dilapidated gyms in our suburbs and who might not make it to a medal, but who demonstrate with their enthusiasm that sport in Italy is more than a mere activity; it is a way of life, a way of looking at the future, a future made of pride and determination. I thank you for all of these reasons, and I tell you that we are here. I do not know if we will make it. I think so, I am very optimistic, but above all I know that this is one of the best things that we can do, because we do it for our children and for our country". The awards ceremony then began. Here is the list of the awarded people, including 18 athletes, 7 sportsmen, 21 clubs and military sporting groups and a Regional Committee.

GOLD COLLAR

Vincenzo Nibali (cycling), Giacobbe Fragomeni (boxe), Clemente Russo (Boxing), Arianna Errigo and Rossella Fiamingo (Fencing), Anna Cappellini e Luca Lanotte (Figure Skating), Roberta Vinci, Flavia Pennetta e Francesca Schiavone (Tennis), Petra Zublasing, Giovanni Pellielo and Jessica Rossi (Shooting), Silvia Marangoni (Artistic Inline Figure Skating), Antonio Cairoli and Kiara Fontanesi (Motocross), Alex Carella (Powerboat), Assunta Legnante (Paralympic Sport), Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, Giacomo Agostini and Alfredo Martini, Pier Luigi Marzorati, Gugliemo Moretti, Bruno Pizzul, Tito Stagno.
Clubs and Military and State Corps S.A: Tiro a Segno Nazionale Sezione di Parma A.S.D., Ginnastica “Francesco Petrarca” 1877, Fratellanza Ginnastica Savonese A.S.D., Canottieri Lario “Giuseppe Sinigaglia” A.S.D., Canottieri Lecco A.S.D., Tiro a Segno Nazionale Sezione di Bari A.S.D., Ginnastica Fortitudo A.S.D., Società Canottieri Milano A.S.D., Unione Ciclisti Trevigiani A.S.D., Fanfulla 1874 A.S.D. di Ginnastica e Scherma, CC Napoli A.S.D., Scherma Jesi, Fiamme Gialle, Carabinieri, Polizia di Stato - Fiamme Oro, Esercito,. GOLD STAR: Forestale, Fiamme Azzurre - Polizia Penitenziaria, Marina Militare, Aeronautica Militare. TROPHY OF CONI 2014: CONI Lazio

Malagò: “Proud of Renzi’s words”

“Renzi’s words make Italian sport proud. Tomorrow will be an important day for everyone: for Rome, for Naples, for Florence, for Sardinia, but also for Northern Italy, for which Milan represents a fundamental reference point. Compatibly with the flexibility that the CIO adopted with the new regulations approved in Monte Carlo this week, we can finally dream big together: Coni, the Government, Renzi and Italy”.

Conference on the specific characteristics of sport and young people training in the EU. Malagò: "Uphold the breeding grounds"

A conference on "The specific nature of sport and the young athletes' formation in EU law" took place this morning in the Hall of Honor of CONI. The event, organized by CONI in collaboration with the Department of Regional Affairs, Autonomy and Sports of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and co-funded by the European Commission in the context of the six-month Italian EU Presidency, started with a greeting by President Malagò. "We are honored and proud to be the hosts of this event which represents a major concern of our world. CONI is committed to promoting the diffusion of sports in the whole country, and our model is often envied and imitated abroad. A market research provided by my Danish colleague revealed that CONI is the most authoritative Committee in the world, also thanks to the former Presidents. The social function of sports is becoming more and more fundamental, especially in the Old Continent, the cradle of the movement. We have to deal with the role of young people, especially because they have to become the real protagonists. We now suffer an infrastructural and educational gap compared to the rest of Europe and to the world, a problem that is reflected in the data about sedentary lifestyle. Many disciplines are under attack on the subject of the breeding grounds: football has recently defined a perimeter within which to operate but there are many other sports that risk being penalized, a possibility that may affect the competitiveness of the National teams. We have to find a system to regulate the activities and uphold this field, and give it as a legacy to the future generations".

The opening of the conference, reserved for institutional greetings and moderated by Francesco Soro, Head of Legislative Affairs and Activities of the Bureau of CONI, continued with the greeting of the Undersecretary of State in charge of sports, Graziano Delrio. "We are happy to conclude these six months of Italian EU Presidency with an initiative aimed at young people and dedicated to the principles of autonomy and responsibility. The Italian government has put sports at the center of its efforts in this semester. Politics must respect the autonomy of sports, which also represents the country's culture. For this reason, during the past six months we have emphasized a number of concepts: sports as an economic driver and as an educational tool, we have directed our efforts to developing motor activity in the schools. Sport is different from the other activities and must be considered in its own specificity. We must set a protocol for youth players grown in the breeding grounds while trying to enhance our youth sectors, without betraying EU free movement regulations".

Jens Nymand-Christensen, Deputy Director-General, DG Education, Culture, Youth and Sport of the European Commission, represented the official views of the EU. "These six months of Italian EU Presidency has been a very important period, which achieved an incredible success. It is very important to notice the fact that the responsibility for sports has been formally assigned for the first time in the portfolio of a Commissioner, Navracsis. There are many unemployed young people all across Europe, and in some countries, they are more than 50%. When we talk about employment, we often forget sports. We know that 2.1% of the workers in the EU are athletes, and we must remember that. We must help young people to find employment. Sports have a fundamental role in our society, in terms of education and development. In 2009, the Treaty of Lisbon introduced for the first time the word 'sport' in a document on the functioning of the EU. Sports can receive a special treatment without violating European rules. We are talking about young people and breeding grounds: there can be no discrimination in terms of free movement of workers in the EU, but we can grant sports a flexible interpretation of those rules. We should encourage these measures to adopt ambitious policies, for those exceptions represent an opportunity. We hope to find solutions aligned to current needs".

Mario Pescante, Member of the IOC, spoke about the stages of the relationship between sport bodies and the EU. "This day can represent the resume for dialogue on the specific nature of sports and its autonomy towards the European Commission. 19 years have passed since the Bosman ruling. Starting that day, the dialogue has been fragmented, almost verging on incommunicableness. A million and 350 thousand European citizens revolve around the world of sports, and that is why the dialogue must be maintained. And since we pursue the same values and the same goals, this is an easy task in sports. There are many Italian federations, 47 at European level, which are subject to infringement procedures for violating European standards. The Union has regulated sports over time by applying rules provided for other sectors. We demand the recognition of a specificity. After years of debate, in the Treaty of 2009 the IOC has obtained the inclusion of the word 'sport' in the functioning of the EU, but that did not improve the situation. We must develop a European dimension of sports. We must overcome the limits laid down in the Treaties. Specificity, independence and autonomy are scared concepts. Nelson Mandela asserted that sports have the power to unite people. It can create hope within despair. We demand respect for the values that we represent, for the fight against discrimination, for the protection of human rights. Sport promotes universal values: let us create a global village that would be just a dream without us".

FIRST SESSION – Sports in the European system

Giulio Napolitano, Professor of Administrative Law at the University of Rome and President of the Sports-Justice Reform Commission, moderated the next part of the discussion. "We must strive to find a European framework for sports. Autonomy does not live in isolation, it needs great cooperation".

The opening was followed by seven speeches on the subject of sports in the European system. Santiago Fisas Ayxelá (Member of the European Parliament, former Minister of Sport in Spain): "I know we have two limits: the first one is subsidiarity, while the second is related to the specific nature of sport. Sport is not above the law, so we must find a solution that permeates both dimensions. We need those clear rules to be compliant with the law". Robert Siekmann (University of Rotterdam): "Sporting rules have nothing to do with politics. The specificity of sport is the mother of all battles. Knowing the regulations means improving the situation, comparing, and making comparative studies across disciplines to achieve a growth. The legislation is based on what happens on the playing field. Those rules represent another important element of the study in demonstrating the specificity".

Walter Veltroni (Honorary President of the Italian Basketball League): "My Italian knowledge about Europe reaches the United States of Europe, in an extensive concept of Community rights protection. I believe that we should go even further, aiming for greater integration and flexibility, especially in the fields of culture and sports. This is to allow protection of the breeding grounds, which is pursued through infringement procedures. Nowadays there is a conjunction that creates a crisis of youth sectors, and that is a problem for the whole of Europe. We are likely to have a decline in the number of children who play sports. We must encourage sport clubs to acquire young players, and we have to find a way to harmonize this principle without breaking the rules. Maybe we need temporary standards: this would be what I call flexibility. Sport levels are lowering: we import many American players, but their level is not higher than the level of the youth that can grow and improve in our country. This is what we demand to Europe: recognizing flexibility and specificity to deal with this emergency". Franco Frattini (President of the High Court of Sports Justice, former European Commissioner for Justice): "I also wish to speak of United States of Europe. My analysis focuses on the fact that the sooner Europe will decline subsidiarity of organizations, the stronger European political integration will be. The Treaty of Lisbon does not only have flaws, but also some strong points, like the placement of sports alongside education, training and youth. Therefore, according to this interpretation, it is an element to be preserved. We must affirm the principle that the protection of breeding grounds is not discrimination. The creation of a Commissioner for Sport should not dismiss the principle of subsidiarity". Yves Le Lostecque (Head of the Sport Unit of the European Commission): "Sport has a specific nature, as recognized by the Treaty. With regards also to exemptions, because it is not an economic activity. We, the European Commission, are accused of not doing enough for sports, but we have to remember where we came from. At the beginning, this subject was not among the topics concerning us. Ten years ago, there were no funds to deal with sports, while today we have resources and a program. There is no binding legislation, and subsidiarity is the main principle. We must intervene only when necessary. We have a work schedule for sports for the next three years: good governance, anti-doping, rigged matches, gender equality, education and formation. The second tool is the Erasmus Plus, which includes a chapter dedicated to sports. We are at the same time ambitious and modest". Christophe Vedder: "Due to its social educative purpose, the specific nature of sport is undeniable. It embraces various areas, although it is not mentioned in the treaty. The legislation suggests that the specificity must be tracked down in the provisions of the European Court of Justice". Gabriella Palmieri Sandulli (Barrister): "The plurality of legal systems must begin from the concept of specificity of sports, which in turn should be made compatible with the multiplicity of rules. The Court of Justice as a body of laws is connected to competition and free market; the key concepts of proportionality and reasonableness were introduced. This must not be reduced to a series of cases; we must maintain a broad overview. The concept of specificity is declinable, it is a visible and concrete concept, and also takes into account the individual disciplines that deserve adequate and equal importance".

SECOND SESSION – THE UE AND THE FORMATION OF THE YOUNG ATHLETES

The second and final session, moderated by the lawyer Antonio Conte, Member of the Sports-Justice Reform Commission, was opened by the Undersecretary of State responsible for European Affairs and Policies, Sandro Gozi: "This initiative, as part of the Italian EU Presidency semester, means a lot to us. The rules of the sport world are not at issue, what is in question directly relates to the relationship between the competitive sector and the European Union. The creation of a portfolio for the Commissioner is essential to fully implement the concept of specificity of sport in Europe. We must not create restrictions, and a Europe that really wants to develop new policies for sports should consider this aspect. The way of subsidiarity and the social impact are essential in the protection of youth sectors".

Karen Jones (Lawyer and Professor of International Law at the University of Amsterdam): "I think it is important to understand the social aspect of the breeding grounds regulations. Many players are very young, so the educational dimension is very important. It is necessary to train many young people to discover a champion. We need to carefully and individually raise these people, for the development of the community and to ensure a future to those who will not have a future as a champion". Sophie Dion (Member of the French Parliament, Professor): "Formation must be accompanied by an employment contract. We must find solutions that do not create problems nor discrimination at European level: then, subsidiarity takes over. We should not just endure the reality, because other countries are emerging and progressing. It takes a strong political will to protect young people". Jean-Pierre-Siutat (Member of FIBA Europe Board and President of the French Basketball Federation): "Our difficulty is simple: we have to protect National teams. The situation evolved after the Bosman ruling. The budgets range from two to 50 million: the richest teams can go scout players abroad. We must continue training players without protecting them. To be competitive, to continue preparing strong National teams, we have to preserve our youth".

Michele Uva (Director General at the FIGC): "The ability to develop a youth sector is synonymous with operational virtue: an illuminating example is the cantera of F.C. Barcelona, which produces 90% of the players in the breeding grounds. There is a need to invest not just part of the profits, as required by law, but a proportionate share of the revenues, due to the importance of the issue. The youth sector reflects social nature. The youth sector is a major factor of territorial characterization, it is synonymous with a sense of belonging. In football, the UEFA counts the costs for the youth sectors as investments and not as entries in the Financial Fair Play. England has the highest number of foreigners, but the problem of National teams needs to be addressed since it is general. On this field, we should follow the example of Germany. The Italian Federation is working on it: it has introduced in the 25-players shortlists the 4+4 principle: 4 elements raised in Italy and 4 players trained in Italy. The goal, which must be shared and reached by all the institutional components since it is currently prohibited by the Community rules, is to have all shortlists made up of young players coming from the breeding grounds. It is important to create a structure which also includes the alignment of procedures for obtaining citizenship in every country and a uniformity of tax treatment, because there is a higher pressure in Italy. Sports need growth factors born from dialogue. We must restart from the youth sectors".

Stefano Bastianon (Professor at the University of Bergamo): "The concept of specificity is very vague, with no precise definition. We can say that it is a special field because it differs from any other type of activity due to its social dimension. The training of young people is one of the aspects that characterizes the sports legislation in the EU, but it is not always the same according to the specificities of each discipline. Every sports rule is subject to European law, so it is special but in fact is treated as any other sectors. That is why it becomes a political issue". Antonio Naddeo (Head of Department for Regional Affairs, Autonomies and Sport): "Training is essential. In Italy, we have lost the ability to invest in young people, not only in the sports field. We only pursue short-term goals. Our strategy involves directing efforts in education to reverse this trend".

Francesco Soro closed the day, thanking the speakers and the European Commission for their attention towards a central theme in the prospects of sport development, with the objective to continue the political dialogue aimed at achieving a unanimously shared goal.

Carolina Kostner will appear before the National Anti-Doping Court on January 16

Following the referral of the athlete Carolina Kostner, issued by the Prosecutor's Office on November 28, 2014, the 2nd Section of the National Anti-Doping Court scheduled a hearing for January 16, 2015 at 10:00am.

The disciplinary proceedings will be discussed in the Conference Hall of the Olympic Stadium in Rome