The medals of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games have been unveiled

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  • IN VENICE

Today at Palazzo Balbi, the Organising Committee of the upcoming Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Winter
Games unveiled the Milano Cortina 2026 medals, joined by two legends of Italian sport, Federica Pellegrini and Francesca Porcellato. In addition to the host, Luca Zaia, the event was attended by the President of Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, Giovanni Malagò, and its CEO, Andrea Varnier, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Matteo Salvini, the Minister for Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi, the President of Regione Lombardia, Attilio Fontana, the President of CONI, Luciano Buonfiglio; and the President of the Italian Paralympic Committee (CIP), Marco Giunio De Sanctis. For the President of Regione Veneto, Luca Zaia: “The medals we have seen today are a very powerful symbol: they tell the story of the effort, dedication, and journey that every athlete undertakes to reach the finish line. But they also tell of the silent and essential work of those behind the scenes who make all of this possible: organizers, volunteers, technicians, artisans, and many other indispensable contributors”.

“Milano Cortina 2026,” Zaia adds, “will be a great opportunity for the entire Country. Not just sports and entertainment, but also infrastructure, hospitality, promotion, and employment. Italy has proven it knows how to work as a team, and these Games are the proof. A sincere thank you from Regione Veneto to all those who works every day with passion and expertise to build this event: it is thanks to them that today we can begin to see tangible results. The
medals are only the beginning”.

The medals of the 2026 Games feature an essential design that places emotion and teamwork at its core, symbolising not only the union of two cities, Milano and Cortina, but also the soul of victory and the effort it takes to achieve it. Two halves brought together by the Olympic and Paralympic values. Two dimensions reflecting the culmination of an athlete and Para athlete’s journey, and all of those who stood by their side along the way. This concept becomes a powerful metaphor to portray the story of two worlds coming together, united by the spirit of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games: a world where competition doesn’t divide, but unites. “The medals of Milano Cortina 2026 are much more than mere awards: they are the heartbeat of Italy, the essence of a design that moves, the reflection of a dream taking shape. They encapsulate the identity of a country—its creativity, its passion for sports and beauty,” says Giovanni Malagò, President of Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026. “Each medal, whether Olympic or Paralympic, is a story etched into metal: it speaks of effort, determination, sacrifice, and the hopes of those who have lived to reach the podium. But it also tells the story of a Country that believes in the most authentic values of sport. Those who win it will carry with them not just the tribute of victory, but a living fragment of the Italian Spirit—an eternal symbol of what we are capable of dreaming and achieving together”.

The medals are crafted by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (IPZS), a company wholly owned by the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Founded in 1928, IPZS is a European leader in secure printing solutions, digital identity, and coin minting. The Olympic and Paralympic medals of Milano Cortina 2026 bring together elegance, visual impact, and sustainability. The medals are produced by the IPZS with an eco-friendly, non-toxic, and recyclable protective finish. The energy used by the IPZS comes entirely from renewable sources. According to Paolo Perrone, President of the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, “The medals we have created to celebrate the Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Winter Games represent the mastery and excellence of Italian design. Each one is a unique piece, the result of craftsmanship combined with a high level of technological innovation. The Milano Cortina 2026 medals place the athlete and Para athlete at the centre of it all, expressing the universality of sport, the struggle, and the emotion of victory”.

Coherent with the concept of Italian Spirit, vibrant, dynamic, and contemporary, and inspired by the Italian avant-garde, the design of the medals for the Games, developed by the design team of Milano Cortina 2026, embody “the determination and passion of the world’s greatest athletes and Para athletes, but also the Olympic and Paralympic spirits,” explains Raffaella Paniè, Brand, Identity and Look of the Games Director for Milano Cortina 2026. “We conceived a medal that represents purity and a return to essence. With our medals, we celebrate the strength found in difference: two unique halves that join through the Olympic and Paralympic symbols to deliver a bold and unified message. This concept is also reflected in the surfaces of the medals, where two textures meet and begin a story written not only by the athletes and Para athletes, but also by those who supported them: coaches, teammates, family members, and fans”.

In the organisation of the award ceremonies, the athlete and Para athlete experience is paramount and requires meticulous care to create a truly memorable moment. That is why the medal boxes and medal trays hold great significance, and for Milano Cortina 2026 they will be crafted by Versalis (Eni), Official Supporter of the Games, already involved in the creation of the Olympic and Paralympic Torches. Objects of dreams and desire, of commitment and sacrifice, for anyone who has ever practiced a sport, even just once, winning an Olympic medal or a Paralympic medal is one of the highest achievements in sport. And there couldn’t have been two more representative athletes to unveil the most iconic object of the Games. Federica Pellegrini, the greatest Italian swimmer of all time, that won two Olympic medals (1 gold, 1 silver) and 11 World Championship medals (6 golds, 4 silvers, 1 bronze), dominating the 200-metre freestyle for over a decade. Francesca Porcellato, the “flying redhead,” is a true Paralympic icon. She has earned 14 medals at Paralympic Games (3 golds, 4 silvers, 7 bronzes) and 12 World Championship medals across Para athletics, Para cross-country skiing, and Para cycling. She has competed in 9 Summer Paralympic Games (from Seoul 1988 to Paris 2024) and 3 Winter Games (Turin 2006, Vancouver 2010, and Sochi 2014).


KEY FIGURES OF THE MILANO CORTINA 2026 MEDALS
Medals will be awarded in 195 events:
245 gold, 245 silver, and 245 bronze medals will be presented during the Olympic Winter Games.
137 gold, 137 silver, and 137 bronze medals will be awarded during the Paralympic Winter Games.
This brings the grand total to 1146 medals.

FEATURES OF ALL MEDALS
Diameter: 80 mm.
Thickness: 10 mm.

COMPOSITION
Gold Medal
Metal: 999 silver + 999.9 gold.
Weight: 500 grams + 6 grams of gold.
Silver Medal
Metal: 999 silver.
Weight: 500 grams.
Bronze Medal
Metal: Copper.
Weight: 420 grams.

Three years to Los Angeles 2028: first look at the competition schedule

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  • OLYMPIC GAMES

Three years from today, the Olympic Games will return to Los Angeles for the third time in history, a remarkable milestone for the iconic Host City. To celebrate the Road to 2028, LA28 today released the first look at the Olympic competition schedule. Additionally, LA28 CEO Reynold Hoover will join Los Angeles’ Recreation and Parks and PlayLA later today to commemorate a major pre-Games legacy achievement of one million program enrollments in PlayLA programming.

“We couldn’t be more excited to mark this moment at exactly three years out from Los Angeles’ third Olympic Games in 2028,” said Reynold Hoover LA28 Chief Executive Officer. “There is so much to celebrate today between one million program enrollments in LA28’s pre-Games legacy through the PlayLA program, plus the first look at the Olympic competition schedule that has been meticulously developed to ensure the world’s best athletes can compete in LA. We are energized by today’s milestones and remain focused on the work ahead as the Road to 2028 continues”.

“We are now three years away from the LA Memorial Coliseum hosting the opening of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and I’m proud that the first medal will be awarded at the iconic Venice Beach,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. “When the world comes here for these Games, we will highlight every neighborhood as we host a Games for all and work to ensure it leaves a monumental legacy. We are already delivering that legacy as we announce there have been more than one million enrollments in PlayLA. I want to thank LA28 and the International Olympic Committee for making these programs possible and for their continued work to host the greatest Games yet”.

For the first time in nearly 30 years, the Games will return to the United States with a schedule designed to accommodate both domestic and global viewership of the 844 ticketed events.

 

2028 Olympic Competition Schedule Highlights

- Opening and Closing Ceremonies: The 2028 Olympic Opening Ceremony will take place on Friday, July 14, 2028 at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT, shared between the LA Memorial Coliseum and 2028 Stadium in Inglewood, and the Closing Ceremony will take place Sunday, July 30, 2028 at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
- Historic Swap of Athletics and Swimming competitions: The 2028 Games will kick off with a powerful start thanks to the historic swap of the Athletics and Swimming events. Athletics will move to the first week of competition while Swimming will be held during the second week.
- Athletics at the LA Memorial Coliseum: The Games will kick off with the world’s fastest athletes at the LA Memorial Coliseum. Consistent with tradition, the Marathon events will take place on the final weekend of the Games.
- First Medal of the LA28 Games to be Awarded at Venice Beach: Also on Day 1, Triathlon will award LA28’s first Olympic champion in the Host City of Los Angeles, set along the vibrant coastline of Venice Beach.
- Most Games Medals Awarded on Day 15: Day 15 of competition will go down as one of the most memorable final weekends in Olympic medal history when 16 gold and bronze medal team sport matches and the Finals for 19 individual sports, including Swimming, all take place on the single most action-packed day of the LA28 Games.
- Swimming Finale: Swimming will close out the LA28 Games on Day 16 with the final competition session held in one of the world’s most technically advanced and modern stadiums, the 2028 Stadium, setting the stage for an epic Closing Ceremony at the LA Memorial Coliseum.

Developed in close coordination with Games delivery partners including the Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), International Federations (IFs) of each respective sport and approval from the International Olympic Committee Executive Board, the 2028 Olympic competition schedule showcases the most ambitious sports lineup in history. Leading up to the 2028 Games, the competition schedule will continue to evolve as planning progresses. A more detailed schedule with medal events and gender order will be released later this year. A downloadable PDF of the current Olympic competition schedule by day and by session is available here.

 

PlayLA Surpasses One Million Program Enrollments

In partnership with Los Angeles Recreation and Parks, LA28 and the International Olympic Committee have invested up to $160 million in PlayLA, offering quality, affordable, and inclusive sports programming for kids of all abilities. Today, PlayLA is celebrating one million program enrollments, marking an incredible milestone in LA28’s pre-Games legacy. Programming offers kids ages 3-17 the opportunity to engage in over 40 Olympic and adaptive sports, including aquatics, athletics, boxing, flag football, judo, as well as adaptive swimming, adaptive athletics, para surfing, sitting volleyball and more.

About the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Game 

The LA28 Games will mark Los Angeles’ third time to host the Olympic Games, previously hosted in 1984 and 1932, and first time to host the Paralympic Games. Los Angeles will host the world’s most elite athletes in 2028 as it welcomes Paralympians and Olympians from around the world to compete on the biggest stage in sports. The LA28 Games are independently operated by a privately funded, non-profit organization with revenue from corporate partners, licensing agreements, hospitality and ticketing programs and a significant contribution from the International Olympic Committee.

Flagbearers announced for the World Games: Chiara Rebagliati and Angelo Crescenzo to lead the Italian delegation

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  • IN CHINA

Karateka Angelo Crescenzo and archer Chiara Rebagliati have been chosen as flagbearers for the Italian delegation at the 12th edition of the World Games, set to take place from 7 to 17 August 2025 in Chengdu, China. The official appointment was confirmed today by the Executive Board of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI).

The prestigious multi-sport event, dedicated to disciplines not included in the Olympic programme, will feature athletes from around the globe competing in 34 sports, 60 disciplines and 256 medal events. Hosting the event is Chengdu, a bustling metropolis of over 20 million inhabitants in southwest China and the capital of Sichuan province. This marks the third time in the event’s history that it will be held in Asia, following Akita 2001 (Japan) and Kaohsiung 2009 (Taiwan), adding another chapter to a legacy that began in 1981.

Born in Sarno in 1993, Angelo Crescenzo is one of the most recognisable faces in Italian karate. A world champion in 2018 and European champion in 2023, he also claimed bronze at the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, confirming his consistent form at the highest level in the under 60 kg kumite category.

Chiara Rebagliati, born in 1997 in Savona, is one of the leading figures in Italian archery. After her Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020 and a long list of international successes, she heads to Chengdu with strong ambitions in women’s recurve archery.

Italy enters the Chinese edition of the Games buoyed by the success achieved at the last edition in the United States, aiming to once again assert themselves as a major force among the emerging sports nations.

 

Chiara Rebagliati (Savona, 23 January 1997) is an Italian recurve archer. A product of the Arcieri Cinque Stelle club, she is now part of the Fiamme Oro sports group. Her passion for archery began at the age of 10 during a family trip when, passing by an archery range, she shot her first arrows and instantly fell in love with the sport — so much so that she gave up dance to pursue it. Gifted with outstanding focus and precision, she quickly established herself as one of the leading figures in Italian archery.

Her career includes major achievements both at youth and senior levels, particularly in field archery and on the international circuit. She has won world and European titles both individually and as part of a team in field archery, and her medal collection also includes gold at the 2022 World Games, team silver at the 2022 Mediterranean Games, and double bronze (individual and team) at the 2023 European Games. She has also earned multiple podium finishes in World Cup, Grand Prix, and Italian Championships events.

Rebagliati has represented Italy at two Olympic Games — Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 — reaching the round of 16 in the individual event in France and also competing in the mixed team event alongside Mauro Nespoli.

A law student at the University of Insubria, she was named FITARCO Athlete of the Year for 2021–2022 and was honoured in 2025 among the "Stelle nello Sport" in Liguria. Outside of competition, she also works as a coach and enjoys cooking and listening to music in her spare time. When she shoots, she focuses solely on herself — just her, the bow, and the target.

Angelo Crescenzo (born 5 August 1993 in Sarno, Salerno province) is one of Italy’s most accomplished karate athletes on the international scene, specialising in kumite (under 60 kg category). He began his martial arts journey at a young age, initially practising kickboxing before switching to karate at the age of 10, following in the footsteps of his brother Michele. He trained at Shirai Club San Valentino under coach Antonio Califano, and his talent and passion soon led to notable results and a national team call-up at just 16 years old.

Among his many achievements, Crescenzo’s most prestigious title came in 2018, when he became the first Italian to win a world title in his category at the World Championships in Madrid. His world-level medal collection includes silver in Dubai (2021) and bronze in Budapest (2023). At the European Championships, he boasts three podiums: gold in Guadalajara (2023), silver in the same city in 2019, and another silver in Novi Sad (2018). He also won bronze at the European Games in Minsk (2019) and Cracow (2023).

Thanks to his consistency and discipline — even during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic — Crescenzo achieved his dream of qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where he competed in the –67 kg category, exiting in the opening round.

Renowned for his speed, explosiveness in counter-attacks, and athletic prowess, he represents the Italian Army sports group and is regarded as a role model within the karate community. His aggressive yet controlled fighting style, combined with a strong work ethic and relentless drive for improvement, makes him one of the most respected and well-rounded athletes on the global stage.

Italia Team selected for 18th Summer European Youth Olympic Festival in North Macedonia

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  • EYOF

The Italia Team for the 18th Summer edition of the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF), scheduled to take place from 20 to 26 July in North Macedonia, has been officially announced. Earlier today, the National Executive Board of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) confirmed the composition of the Azzurri delegation, which will travel to Skopje this Saturday. Leading the team as Chef de Mission is Elisa Santoni, supported by Alessio Boggiatto and Pauline Mellet as Deputy Heads.

With over three decades of history, the EYOF stands as the largest multi-sport event in Europe dedicated to young athletes aged 14 to 18. Held under the auspices of the European Olympic Committees, the Festival offers participants a first taste of Olympic values and a valuable opportunity to gain experience on the road to future elite competitions and potentially the Olympic Games.

Skopje 2025 will welcome more than 4,000 athletes and officials from 49 European National Olympic Committees. Alongside the Macedonian capital, the cities of Kumanovo and Osijek (Croatia) will also host events: Kumanovo will stage cycling and basketball, while artistic gymnastics competitions will take place in Osijek. Team Italy will compete in 12 of the 15 disciplines on the programme – not participating in basketball, 3x3, and handball – fielding a total of 116 athletes (60 boys and 56 girls).

Among those selected is Arianna Bovolenta, daughter of the late Vigor Bovolenta, Olympic silver medallist at Atlanta 1996, and former international volleyball player Federica Lisi. Arianna is also the sister of Alessandro Bovolenta, gold medallist at the EYOF Banská Bystrica 2022 and now part of the senior national team under coach Fefè De Giorgi. Also following in the footsteps of their sporting families are teammates Vanessa Hernandez, daughter of Osvaldo Hernandez (three-time Olympian for Cuba and Scudetto winner with Piaggio Roma in 2000), and Stella Caruso, daughter of former Italy international Guendalina Buffon and niece of football legend Gianluigi Buffon.

At the previous edition held in Maribor, Slovenia, Italy topped the overall medal table with a remarkable haul of 46 podium finishes (16 golds, 18 silvers, and 12 bronzes).

The EYOF will once again be featured on ItaliaTeamTV, the CONI’s OTT platform, which will provide extensive coverage of the competitions involving Italy’s rising stars.

 

Team Italy for Skopje 2025

ATHLETICS (28 athletes: 12 girls, 16 boys)
Valentina Adamo, Sophie Barbagallo, Ylenia Bernardo, Caterina Caligiana, Margherita Castellani, Kelly Ann Maevane Dualla Edimo, Laura Frattaroli, Sofia Marcucci, Lovely Giusti, Isabella Pastore, Beatrice Stagnaro, Alessia Succo, Mattia Bartolini, Gabriele Belardi, Matteo Berardo, Juan Jose Caggia, Umed Caraccio, Luca Cavazzuti, Antony Del Pioluogo, Tamirat Del Prete, Leonardo Di Mugno, Edwin Fermin Galvan, Enrico Galloni, Diego Mancini, Marco Mangani, Matteo Sorci, Filippo Vedana, Nicolò Vidal

BADMINTON (2: 1 girl, 1 boy)
Margherita Tognetti, Alessio Catalfamo

CANOEING (4: 2 girls, 2 boys)
Elisa Montaldo, Vittoria Cuignon, Elias Costa, Dennis Fina

CYCLING (8: 4 girls, 4 boys)
Anna Bonassi, Matilde Carretta, Jolanda Sambi, Mariachiara Signorelli (MTB), Tommaso Cingolani, Riccardo Longo, Brian Paris, Walter Vaglio (MTB)

ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS (6: 3 girls, 3 boys)
Sofia Bianchi, Mia Proietti, Giulia Santinato, Pietro Mazzola, Ivan Rigon, Riccardo Ruggeri

JUDO (12: 6 girls, 6 boys)
Iulia Airola Granaci, Marika Cavaglià, Anita Comba, Aurora Ferro, Flavia Gresi, Elisa Palermo, Antonio Capezzuto, Michele Corsica, Giuseppe Gesuele, Thomas Ghidoni, Simone Iurato, Erik Semanjaku

SWIMMING (16: 8 girls, 8 boys)
Giorgia Barozzi, Sofia Biagi, Lucrezia Boncio, Alessandra Mao, Michelle Montagnini, Sofia Napoli, Hannah Oberhauser, Giorgia Punturieri, Jacopo Apicerni, Boris Bandiera, Francesco Cecconi, Davide D'Elia, Daniele Fiorelli, Vincenzo Maniaci, Giorgio Sartori, Luca Soriani

VOLLEYBALL (24: 12 girls, 12 boys)
Arianna Bovolenta, Stella Caruso, Stella Cornelli, Virginia Di Napoli, Julia Gordon, Sara Grossi, Alice Guerra, Vanessa Hernandez Suarez, Alessia Manda, Perla Massaglia, Lisa Dharma Monari Gamba, Miranda Vittoria Zanella, Gabriele Arcifa, Pietro Carlo Bevilacqua, Martino Bigozzi, Vittorio Bonandrini, Diego Bussolari, Gioele Costa, Francesco Crosato, Riccardo Della Ventura, Gioele Imperato, Nicola Massari, Edoardo Trotta, Pietro Valgiovio

TAEKWONDO (10: 5 girls, 5 boys)
Anna Frassica, Ludovica Fugazza, Virginia Lampis, Emanuela Palmisano, Lucia Pezzolla, Francesco Destino, Hamza Laantri, Gabriele Fernando Rosato, Nicolò Sevagian, Abderrahman Touiar

TABLE TENNIS (2: 1 girl, 1 boy)
Laura Alba Pinna, Erik Paulina

SHOOTING (4: 2 girls, 2 boys)
Alice Bruno, Agnese Formieri, Alessandro Lonardi, Loris Quarta

Circolo Nautico Posillipo celebrates Centenary and Collare d'Oro. Buonfiglio: “It has contributed to Naples’ growth”

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  • CONI

A special honour marked a grand evening celebrating a club that has made — and continues to make — history in Italian sport.

Luciano Buonfiglio, President of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), attended the gala evening commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Circolo Nautico Posillipo, founded in Naples on 9 July 1925. Over the years, the club has excelled across a range of disciplines, including canoeing, rowing, swimming, fencing, tennis, triathlon, sailing, and above all, water polo. In the latter, Posillipo boasts a remarkable trophy haul: eleven national titles, three Champions Leagues, and two Coppa delle Coppe. This year, the club has returned to European competition under the expert leadership of coach Pino Porzio, who was inducted into the Walk of Fame at Foro Italico this May alongside his brother Franco, both of whom wore the club’s iconic red and green cap during their playing days.

The evening also paid tribute to two historic milestones: the 40th anniversary of the club’s first national title (1985) and the 20th anniversary of its last Champions League triumph (2005).

“When a sports club turns 100, it means it has helped shape the growth of an entire city,” Buonfiglio remarked. “This is a club that produces not only medals but also social value. It shapes young women and men to grow with respect for others, to be committed, to know what they want to achieve and to work as a team. A club like Posillipo has produced thousands of remarkable individuals”. Buonfiglio, himself a former canoeing international, first discovered sport at the historic Neapolitan club.

Among those attending the celebration were Gaetano Manfredi, Mayor of Naples; Roberto Fico, former President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies; Aldo Campagnola, President of Circolo Nautico Posillipo; Vice Presidents Maurizio Marinella and Filippo Smaldone; members of the club’s Board of Directors; numerous olympic and world champions; and prominent figures from the world of sport. These included Giovanni Malagò, President of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation, IOC member and former CONI President; Andrea Abodi, Minister for Sport and Youth; Paolo Barelli, President of the Italian Swimming Federation; Davide Tizzano, President of the Italian Rowing Federation; Andrea Mancino, President of the Italian Federation for Billiards and Bowling; CONI board members Sandro Cuomo and Luca Piscopo, and many other sporting greats with deep ties to the Posillipo club.

The evening was also the occasion to unveil the Collare d’Oro al Merito Sportivo (Gold Collar of Sporting Merit), Italy’s highest sporting honour, which will be formally awarded to the Circolo Nautico Posillipo this December during the traditional ceremony held annually in Rome.

Vai alla gallery

First official appearance for CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio at the Settecolli: “An honour to award our athletes”

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  • FORO ITALICO

Luciano Buonfiglio, newly appointed President of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), made his first official appearance on the national stage at the 61st edition of the Settecolli Trophy, held at Foro Italico in Rome. On the second day of competition, he presented an award to rising swimming star Sara Curtis, one of the brightest young talents in Italian swimming (photo: Scala-Staccioli/FIN).

“Being here with Paolo Barelli and the Italian Swimming Federation, one of the most decorated and socially engaged federations in our sporting landscape, is a wonderful way to begin this journey,” said Buonfiglio. “Honouring these athletes is an emotional privilege. Athletes must be at the heart of our priorities – not just in words, but in action”.

“It’s a pleasure to have such a large audience and to welcome President Buonfiglio,” commented Paolo Barelli, President of the Italian Swimming Federation. “We’ve been friends for a long time, and while I didn’t vote for him, I’m very glad he’s here. He’s a President who has competed at the highest level and knows what it means to be an athlete. CONI must focus its efforts on athletes, sports clubs, and federations. I wish him well in serving the interests of Italian sport – but let’s remember, he doesn’t have a magic wand to solve every problem overnight”.

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Elective National Council: Luciano Buonfiglio elected new CONI President, Bianchedi and Di Paola appointed Vice Presidents

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  • CONI

Luciano Buonfiglio has been elected President of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) for the 2025–2028 quadrennium. The decision was taken this morning during the 309th Elective National Council held at the Multipurpose Hall of the “Giulio Onesti” Olympic Preparation Centre in Rome.

Mr Buonfiglio, a 74-year-old sports executive from Naples and President of the Italian Canoe Kayak Federation since 2005, received 47 votes in the first ballot, securing an absolute majority among the 81 eligible electors. He is the first Neapolitan and the first Olympian - having competed at the 1976 Montreal Games in the K-4 1000m sprint canoe event - to be appointed President in CONI’s history.

The outgoing President, Giovanni Malagò, was acknowledged for his twelve years of leadership. In his inaugural remarks, President Buonfiglio expressed gratitude and underlined the importance of international representation, calling for unity and commitment within the organisation: “I thank Giovanni for the work he has done over these past twelve years. I also wish to extend my warmest regards to Luca Pancalli for his integrity, and to the IOC members present, who represent an essential added value. Italy must continue to play a central role on the international stage. It is only through active participation that we can truly make an impact. The time has now come to act. I urge everyone to approach the next steps with reason as well as passion”.

The assembly was chaired by CONI Vice President Claudia Giordani, Olympic silver medallist at the 1976 Innsbruck Winter Games. For the first time in the Committee’s history, a woman presided over an Elective National Council.

Following the conclusion of the Council, the newly elected National Executive Board convened and proceeded to appoint the Vice Presidents:

Acting Deputy President: Diana Bianchedi

Deputy President: Marco Di Paola

Additionally, Mr Carlo Mornati was confirmed in his role as General Secretary of CONI.

The following individuals were elected as members of the National Executive Board:

Representatives of FSN-DSA:

Laura Lunetta (Dance Sport and Musical Sports) – 37 votes

Diana Bianchedi – 36 votes

Marco Di Paola (Equestrian Sports) – 33 votes

Francesco Ettorre (Sailing) – 32 votes

Francesco Montini – 31 votes

Tania Cagnotto – 28 votes

Giovanni Copioli (Motorcycling) – 28 votes

Athletes’ Representatives:

Valentina Rodini (Rowing) – 39 votes

Giampaolo Ricci (Basketball) – 10 votes

Coaches’ Representative:

Elisabet Spina (Football) – 46 votes

Representative of Sports Promotion Bodies:

Juri Morico (OPES) – 55 votes

Representative of Regional Committees:

Marco Riva – 57 votes

Representative of Provincial Delegates:

Domenico Ignozza – 43 votes

Olympic history at the IOC: Thomas Bach passes presidency to Kirsty Coventry

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  • IN LAUSANNE

Olympic history was written today in a highly symbolic and emotional ceremony at Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland, to mark the handover of the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from Thomas Bach to Kirsty Coventry, which officially takes place tonight at midnight. Bach, an Olympic champion in fencing for Germany at the Olympic Games Montreal 1976, has been leading the organisation for 12 years following his election as the 9th IOC President in 2013.

On Olympic Day, which takes place on 23 June each year to commemorate the founding of the modern Olympic Games in 1894 based on the initiative by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, Bach symbolically passed the key for Olympic House from one Olympic champion to another in a moment of historical significance. Coventry, a double Olympic champion in swimming from Zimbabwe (2004, 2008), was elected as the 10th IOC President at the 144th IOC Session this March in Olympia, Greece. She is the first woman and the first African ever to hold the IOC’s highest office and has been elected for a term of eight years.

The key, designed by Spanish artist André Ricard, who also created the torch of the Olympic Games Barcelona 1992 and the Olympic fire crucible at the Olympic Museum, was first passed during the handover from Juan Antonio Samaranch to Jacques Rogge in 2001.

More than 700 assembled guests – including IOC Members, athletes, Olympic Movement representatives, delegates from international organisations, political leaders and IOC staff – witnessed an emotional ceremony. When the key was handed over, the audience rose for a standing ovation.

A standing ovation also followed when Thomas Bach received the Olympic Order in Gold from Kirsty Coventry. The Olympic Order is the highest honour granted by the International Olympic Committee to individuals who have rendered outstanding services to the Olympic cause through their contribution to the Olympic Movement.

In his speech, Thomas Bach, who was elected IOC Honorary President for Life during the 144th IOC Session in March, said: “Today is a day of gratitude. Today is a day of confidence. Today is a day of joy. There are many emotions I feel in this moment – but most of all, I feel gratitude.

“Gratitude, above all, to our beloved founder Pierre de Coubertin — whose body rests just a stone’s throw from here, and whose heart lies in Ancient Olympia. To him we owe everything. I am sure he is watching us today from his Olympic heights, with that familiar smile, and that he feels content to see his – and our – Olympic Movement flourishing, true to his vision and more relevant than ever.”

Bach was deeply grateful to his fellow IOC Members for the support he received during his term, “because I have never walked this path alone. We have reformed, we have renewed, we have united around the values that define our Olympic Movement.”

He continued: “To everyone who brings our Olympic community to life – the athletes, the National Olympic Committees and International Federations, our TOP Partners and Media Rights-Holders, and our devoted IOC staff, guided by our Director General: each of you has shaped this, our shared Olympic journey, in your own way. Your belief in our mission, your unwavering support – I have felt it every step. In difficult moments, it was your support that helped us to navigate forward. Without all of you, the Olympic Movement would not be where it is today.”

Addressing the assembled audience, Bach reminded them that his decision not to continue as IOC President beyond his tenure was rooted in his belief that “new times call for new leadership”. He went on to say: “at our last Session in Greece, you – my fellow IOC Members – elected this new leader. You have placed your trust in someone whose life story is deeply rooted in the Olympic Movement. As an Olympian, she knows what it means to live the Olympic values. She knows how to lead with courage. She is driven by a desire to give back to our Olympic Movement that has shaped her life. Now she makes history: Mrs Kirsty Coventry.”

Bach explained: “with her election, you have also sent a powerful message to the world: the IOC continues to evolve. As the first female and first African to hold this position – and indeed the youngest IOC President since Pierre de Coubertin – she reflects the truly global nature and the youthful, forward-looking spirit of our Olympic community.”

He concluded: “She brings her own unique style and her own dynamic perspective. She has a new voice that resonates with the young generation.

“This is why I say, full of confidence: from tomorrow on, with Kirsty Coventry, the Olympic Movement will be in the best of hands. This is why, I am at peace.

“This is why, my heart is full of gratitude, full of confidence and full of joy.

In this spirit of gratitude, confidence and joy, I hand over the keys of Olympic House to Mrs Kirsty Coventry, the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee.”

In her address, Kirsty Coventry thanked Thomas Bach for all his work: “President Bach, the Movement has been served by you, as you just mentioned, with pure passion and purpose for 12 years.

“You have kept us united through some of the most turbulent times, and you've led us to an incredible Paris [Olympic Games], which I hope was one of the best ways we could all say thank you.”

She continued, saying: “We look forward to making you proud in the future. You've left us with many legacies. One of those being: ‘together’. And that's something that I hope we all feel today. “So, thank you from the bottom of my heart for leading us with all that passion and that purpose for so many years, and never wavering once from our values. It means a lot, especially in today's world.”

She told the audience about her first meeting with President Bach as a new member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission when he said to her and her newly-elected Commission members: “[He said:] ‘Even though you'll be at the very back of the room, I want to see your hands raised, and I want to hear you.’ And that stuck with us as athletes. And it made a huge difference, because from the very first moment, you set the tone.”

She also highlighted the important role of family and friends: “To all of my family and friends who have always kept me grounded, some of my closest friends still would not be able to tell you what race I swam in at all through any of my career.

“And this helped, because it kept me grounded and focused and humble. I was very fortunate to have strong women around me from a very early age. From my grandmothers, to my mum, to many of you women here in this room today. To my coach, Kim. Kim, in Athens in 2004, our very first medal, your little baby was seven months old.

“My little baby today is seven months old too. Who knew the things that you would be teaching me outside of the pool, not just to be a great athlete, but to be a great mum and a great wife. I'm hoping that I imparted a little bit of knowledge to you.”

Paying tribute to her family, Coventry said: “To my husband, Ty, Ella, and her little sister, Lily, you guys are my rocks, my inspiration. You make me a better person. You make me a better mum and a better wife.”

She said that her children are constant reminders of why the work for the Olympic Movement is so meaningful: “You are a constant reminder of why this Movement is relevant, why it needs to change, why we need to embrace the new ways, and you'll be a constant reminder for many years to come on the decisions that we all take together.”

Coventry also went on to thank her parents who supported her all the way to becoming an Olympic champion and now the IOC President: “To my mum and dad who are here today, who would have thought so many cake sales and selling of burgers would ever have led to this moment? There were many, many hundreds of cakes and thousands of hamburgers sold so that they could sacrifice sending me and my teammates on our next adventure. And I'm so grateful to both of you for everything that you've done.”

Coventry thanked the millions of parents around the world for the sacrifice that they make daily for their children to achieve their dreams.

She said the Olympic Movement is creating a platform for generations to come to reach their dreams: “It's amazing. It's incredible. And I can't believe that, in 1992, when I had the dream of going to the Olympic Games and winning a gold medal for Zimbabwe, that I'd be standing here with all of you getting to make those dreams come true for more young people around the world.”

“IOC Members are the guardians of this Movement,” she said. “As the Olympic Movement, as Federations, as NOCs, as our sponsors and our partners, we are the guardians of this incredible platform. And it's not just about a multi-sport event. It's a platform to inspire. It's a platform to change lives. And it's a platform to bring hope. These are not things taken lightly, and I'm looking forward to working with each and every one of you to make sure that we continue to inspire, continue to change lives, and in our divided world today, continue to be a beacon of hope.”

She compared the Olympic Movement to a spider’s web, which is complex, strong and resilient: “But if one tiny little piece of that spider’s web breaks, it automatically becomes weakened. Our Movement, each and every single one of you, is that spiderweb. It's complex, it's beautiful, and it's strong.

“But it only works if we work together, and if we remain united. Every single one of you plays a very significant role in our very important ecosystem. Working together over these next few years and consistently finding ways to strengthen and keep united our Movement will ensure and will allow for all of us that we could wake up daily and continue to inspire the next generation, to continue to change lives, and most importantly, to make dreams come true.”

She concluded: “I am really honoured that I get to walk this journey with you, and I cannot wait for anything that lies ahead, because I know I have the best team to support me, and our Movement in these next eight years.”

Earlier in the morning, Bach and Coventry visited the cemetery in Lausanne, where Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the IOC, is buried. They laid a wreath to honour his memory on this Olympic Day.

 

List of IOC Presidents

1894-1896: Demetrius Vikelas

1896-1925: Pierre de Coubertin

1925-1942: Henri de Baillet-Latour

1942-1946: J. Sigfrid Edström (Vice-President and Acting President)

1946-1952: J. Sigfrid Edström

1952-1972: Avery Brundage

1972-1980: Lord Killanin

1980-2001: Juan Antonio Samaranch

2001-2013: Jacques Rogge

2013-2025: Thomas Bach

2025 onwards: Kirsty Coventry

Olympic Day 2025: “Let’s Move?” together for more motivation, community and joy

Details
  • IOC AND WHO

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), is launching the next iteration of its ongoing initiative aimed at inspiring and supporting people to move more. “Let’s Move?” shines a light on the benefits of playing sport and working out together, celebrating all the inspiration, connection and enjoyment this brings, and is the theme of this year’s Olympic Day (23 June).

Alarming numbers of people across the world are not meeting the minimum activity level required for optimal health: one in three adults and 81 per cent of young people (WHO, 2024). Rallying the power and inspiration of the Olympic Movement to highlight this worrying trend, while aiming to encourage and create opportunities for everyone to move more, Let’s Move launched in 2023 as part of the Olympic Movement’s mission to make the world a better place through sport.

“Sport is joy, sport brings people together. Sport and physical activity are also the low-cost, high-impact tool for healthy bodies, healthy minds and resilient communities. We invite people everywhere to experience the joy of sport, and to take a friend along to play sport on Olympic Day and inspire beyond,” said IOC President Thomas Bach.

“Let’s Move?” shines a light on the benefits of playing sport and working out together, celebrating the motivation, community and joy that movement with others brings.

Participating in group physical activities can help people start moving and keep going. Through shared goals, encouragement and fun – an important factor for many young people to play sport (89 per cent of young people surveyed cited having fun as a reason they play sport, IOC/Allianz MoveNow Move365 Report, 2023) – sport is more than just moving. It is also an opportunity to spend time with others, connect and build community. This can create a sense of belonging and help fight loneliness – something the WHO has identified as a growing concern for people’s health – and support mental well-being.

“Physical inactivity is a silent global health emergency - one that is shortening lives and straining health systems. Too few people understand its risks, and too many lack the means to change course. At the same time, social connection is emerging as a serious public health challenge. By promoting inclusive, community-based physical activity, we have a powerful opportunity not only to improve physical health, but also to build social bonds and enhance mental well-being,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

“Let’s Move?” is the theme of Olympic Day, the global celebration of sport and getting active that takes place on 23 June each year to commemorate the founding of the modern Olympic Games in 1894. This year, everyone is encouraged to invite a “+1” to walk, run, dance, skip and move with them. People can simply ask a friend to join their team or workout, use specially created “Let’s Move?” digital tools, and share their moves socially @Olympics #LetsMove.

“Some of the most powerful moments in sport happen outside competition. They happen when a teammate joins you on the days you don’t feel like training, when you work together to reach your goals - it’s in the shared effort, the mutual support, the community you build along the way,” said IOC President-elect Kirsty Coventry.

As part of the Olympic Day celebrations, there will be mass participation events and digital activations across the Olympic Movement, with over 150 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), International Sports Federations, and Olympic Games Organising Committees (OCOGs) expected to take part.

Worldwide Olympic Partner Samsung is inviting people to join the “Let’s Move?” challenge (available only on Android), to walk 260,000 steps between 23 June and 21 July. For its part, Worldwide Olympic Partner TCL has launched its first global campaign to mark Olympic Day, with a film connecting future host cities LA and Milan through dance and expression, and giving people the opportunity to take part in a social dance challenge on 23 June.

In China, the Olympic Mini Programme on WeChat is running a challenge until 30 June, where people can take part in a daily sports challenge — including a team mode — to set goals, practise together and compete with friends. In India, 50 sports venues around the country will be made available for pairs to book to play sport together free of charge. Details at Olympics.com.

Let’s Move?” will continue beyond Olympic Day, with the ambition, and the support of the Olympic Movement, to keep inspiring and enabling people to move and enjoy physical activity through resources, activations and content. This campaign is intended to highlight the positive impact that community sport and physical activity have on physical, mental and social health, and contributes to the IOC’s Olympism365 priority area of “Sport, Health and Active Communities”. In this framework, a wide range of initiatives aimed at bringing sports and health organisations together are delivered in collaboration with the WHO, to provide more opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds to be more active and enjoy the benefits of participating in regular sport and physical activity, and to contribute to the WHO’s Global Action on Physical Activity (GAPPA) and the IOC’s Olympism365 strategy to reduce physical inactivity by 15 per cent in adults and adolescents by 2030.

President Malagò and FIDAL President Mei honour nonagenarian marathon runner Antonio Rao

Details
  • CONI

CONI President Giovanni Malagò today presented the Bronze Star for Sporting Merit to Antonio Rao, the over-90 marathon runner who holds the world masters record in the M90 category.

The ceremony took place at Palazzo H in the presence of Stefano Mei, President of the Italian Athletics Federation (FIDAL). On the occasion, Malagò also gifted Rao — who was accompanied by his daughter Antonella — a commemorative plaque bearing the inscription: "The Italian National Olympic Committee to Antonio Rao, with esteem and friendship, for his exceptional sporting spirit, deep passion for sport, and a marathon in his heart".

Originally from Polistena, Calabria, but a long-time resident of Rome, Rao is a regular participant in the Rome Marathon. In the most recent edition, he completed the race — for the third consecutive year — in under seven hours.

In 2023, at the age of 90, he set a world masters record in the M90 category with a time of 6:14:44. His achievements have gained international recognition, with the International Olympic Committee featuring his story on its official website following his latest performance in the Italian capital.

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