Collari d’Oro awarded. Premier Meloni: “2024 has been an unforgettable year for Italian sport”
- AUDITORIUM PARCO DELLA MUSICA
An extraordinary year filled with triumphs, medals, and goals achieved, but also obstacles and difficulties from which our splendid athletes rose again with pride and perseverance. The Sala Sinopoli at the Auditorium Parco della Musica ‘Ennio Morricone’ in Rome hosted the ceremony for the awarding of the Collari d’Oro for Sporting Merit (photos: Simone Ferraro and Luca Pagliaricci CONI). The gold medallists from the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, world champions, great coaches, sports clubs, and personalities who distinguished themselves over the year received the highest honour in Italian sport during a grand celebration broadcast live on Rai 2.
The ceremony opened with a letter from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni: “Dear President, dear athletes, coaches, and officials of Italian sport, today we celebrate the Collari d’Oro for Sporting Merit, the highest honour of the Italian National Olympic Committee. It is a solemn moment to honour the achievements that characterised 2024, an unforgettable year for Italian sport. My first thought goes to the forty medals won at the Paris Olympic Games, where Italy stood on the podium from the first to the last day and confirmed its place among the top ten nations in the medal table. The Azzurri expedition collected twelve golds, thirteen silvers, and fifteen bronzes, as well as many fourth places and other excellent results, all achieved with honour. This element confirmed the solidity and human qualities of our Azzurri. Absolute human and sporting values laid the groundwork for the extraordinary achievements of our Paralympic athletes, who won seventy-one podiums, including twenty-four golds, fifteen silvers, and thirty-two bronzes, breaking every record and touching our hearts deeply. In terms of results and placements, Paris was by far the most fruitful edition of the Games for the Tricolore: we surpassed the results of Tokyo 2020, and this made us particularly proud. The many results achieved by our athletes in other competitions across many disciplines also deserve to be remembered and celebrated. I think, among many, of tennis: twenty-six titles won, a milestone never reached before. A special mention goes to the wonderful world triumphs, for the first time in the same year, in the Davis Cup, the second consecutive one, and in the Billie Jean King Cup, thanks to two stellar teams of Azzurri tennis players with the Italian crest on their chests. Historic successes, made even more emotional by Jannik Sinner’s first ATP Finals victory in Italy, in Turin. But, returning to Paris, I also recall with great joy the victories of Julio Velasco’s girls, which will remain indelible in the hearts of volleyball lovers, myself included. The Azzurri thrilled us and made our hearts beat faster, taking the Tricolore to the top of the world. These victories are not just sporting successes but moments that unite us, making us feel proudly Italian, rediscovering the identity and strength of our nation. These successes and great performances testify to the excellence and talent of Italian sport, made possible also thanks to the invaluable contribution of coaches, associations, sports clubs, Federations, sports disciplines, promotion bodies, and many others, including families. This is the world of sport. Fascinating, increasingly relevant and complex, in which every figure – from the athlete to the coach, from the official to the fans, from bodies to institutions, up to the organisations that regulate and promote sport at national and international levels – plays a fundamental role, with great responsibility. It is the constant collaboration, the necessary harmony, and a desired synergy among those in positions of responsibility in sport and for sport that create a true community, where everyone plays their part, respecting roles, towards common goals. A community where we all win and lose together because, while it is true that every victory is the result of collective effort, it is equally certain that every defeat reminds us that no one can succeed alone. Sport lives and thrives thanks to the contribution of every component. And it is precisely this balance that makes it one of the most engaging expressions of society, capable of promoting values starting from respect, sacrifice, and team spirit. Values that we even wanted to be enshrined in our Constitution. Recognising the educational, social, and psychological well-being promotion value of sporting activity in all its forms in the Constitution was a historic step for the entire world of sport, in every form and expression. Starting from grassroots and local sport, which is the forge of our talents but also a powerful factor in social cohesion, capable of conveying positive values and building a sense of belonging and unity of purpose. Especially in the most complex situations in our country, where sport can represent an opportunity for overcoming adversity. This is the reason why this Government has decided to invest significant financial resources, which will continue to grow, to build grassroots sports infrastructure in the outskirts and areas most in need of institutional attention, and to invest further in the educational alliance between the sports system, schools, and universities. Sport is one of the pillars of the regeneration and redevelopment programme in Caivano, which we will continue to pursue with great determination and which will become a model to be replicated, contextualised, in other cities. In record time, we have reclaimed and redeveloped the former “Delphinia” sports centre, also thanks to the decisive contribution of the Army and the Forestry Carabinieri, and today the members of the public in the area have a new multipurpose centre where they can practice over forty sports disciplines, thanks to the valuable collaboration of Sport e Salute and the Fiamme Oro. The new “Pino Daniele” Centre is a symbol of hope in an area where the State has been absent for too long, and sport is beginning to make a difference. If sport manages to save even one young person from the abyss of drugs or a future of crime, it will mean that our efforts have not been in vain and that it was worth believing in this project and working tirelessly to make it happen. Promoting sport in all its forms also means recognising the social and economic importance of sports workers and volunteers and the contribution this sector makes to the well-being and prosperity of the nation. The Government has worked on the reform of sports labour, improving it with a framework measure that recognises the specific characteristics of the sector, ensures new protections for workers, and guarantees greater transparency and simplification, especially for small amateur sports associations and clubs. Long-awaited measures that, if necessary, we will further improve, gradually guiding athletes, sports clubs, and operators, even at the amateur level, towards a new and more advanced management of labour relations in the sector. Dear friends, today we celebrate the victories achieved by the Italian sports movement in 2024. Successes that do not represent an endpoint but a starting point. And the spur to always do better, with even more enthusiasm and determination, each in their role but in common synergy. Synergy, collaboration, and teamwork: necessary and decisive elements for the Italian System to respect the timetable for the celebration of the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Milano-Cortina and the Mediterranean Games in Taranto, and to provide the right support for the Winter Universiade and the Special Olympics World Winter Games, scheduled for 2025 in Piedmont. There is still much work to be done, but I am convinced that Italy will once again prove itself up to the challenge and capable of welcoming, organising, and hosting major events. We have a double opportunity ahead of us: to achieve new and ambitious competitive goals and to affirm the specific quality and strength of a uniquely Italian sports model, which creates social value and has a positive impact on people and communities. I thank you and renew my congratulations to all the awardees.”
CONI President Giovanni Malagò then spoke: “The Prime Minister’s words are important and stimulating. In sport, we always start over; there is always a new season. We have achieved extraordinary results, but we know we cannot rest on our laurels. Each time, we write a new page in the wonderful book of Italian sport history. In 2024, Italy is third in the world ranking of all Olympic disciplines, considering international competitions. This ranking gives the best idea of the global forces in sport. The United States is first, France second, and Italy third. This third place is confirmed in the ranking of the number of podiums. We drop to fourth only in the number of victories. This shows the strength of our wonderful 2024: 3,686 athletes scored points, 1,585 were in the top three, and 485 won a gold medal. This had never happened before. It is one of the merits of our sports system: we have become a multi-sport and multi-disciplinary country. There are new sports that make us happy, in addition to those with great tradition. Italians are very proud of these results, and we are happy to have made them proud. I believe it would be a great mistake to underestimate the complexity and the difficulties overcome. The credit goes to that incredible movement that starts from the grassroots, and passes through amateur sports clubs, State bodies, Federations, and CONI’s Olympic Preparation. To all of them, the coaches and athletes, a ‘thank you’ from all of us. I conclude by saying that 2025 prepares us for Milano Cortina 2026. We will reach the milestone of 800 Olympic medals; it is a long love story that accompanies Italy towards sport, excellence of which we are all proud.”
CIP President Luca Pancalli also spoke: “I am proud, as a sportsman, because this is the most beautiful image we can give to the country. Sport coming together, all as one. What Italian sport has done in this country has not been done in many other sectors of civil society. We have the ability to regenerate and project ourselves into the future. We celebrate the extraordinary results of 2024: I thank the athletes, who represent the most important aspect of our actions, but I also thank the families, coaches, military bodies, and Federations. An athlete’s result is always that of a group; the results of Italian sport are those of a team.”
The Minister for Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi, also spoke. “It is a pleasure to come together to celebrate a splendid year and launch new challenges. My first thought goes to those who fell and got back up: Ambra Sabatini and Sofia Goggia. As humans, we fall, we get up, and we try to continue our journey with a sense of responsibility, duty, and honour. We must do as they did. Daily commitment, the desire to recover, not to give up. Victories are the tip of an iceberg that starts from the base. We must commit ourselves to allow athletes to continue achieving certain results.” Abodi also paid tribute to Matilde Lorenzi, a young skier who tragically passed away on 28 October following a training accident.
Also present at the event were Undersecretary of Defence Isabella Rauti, Undersecretary for the Environment Claudio Barbaro, and other leaders of Italian sport: CONI Secretary General Carlo Mornati, Vice Presidents Silvia Salis and Claudia Giordani, CIP Secretary General Juri Stara, and numerous Federal Presidents, coaches, and officials of the movement.
Le stelle dello sport al Parco della Musica, consegnati i Collari d'Oro 2024
The first ‘Giulio Onesti’ Olympic Management Course concludes. Malagò: “A course that highlights the importance of specialisation in sport”
- CONI
The first edition of the ‘Giulio Onesti’ Olympic Management Course, launched by CONI’s Advanced School of Olympic Specialisation, has come to an end. The Salone d’Onore at CONI hosted the graduation ceremony (photo: Ferdinando Mezzelani GMT), marking the conclusion of the course for ten male and ten female graduates, as well as two former athletes: double Olympic bronze medallist in rowing Matteo Castaldo and former Azzurro swimmer Marco Belotti, who participated in two Olympic Games. The aim is to create cutting-edge, highly qualified professionals who will contribute to the success of sport and the Olympic team.
“Many people try to enter the world of sport, some of you have been champions,” said CONI President Giovanni Malagò, addressing the students during the ceremony. “This course highlights the importance of integration and specialisation in the world of sport. This year it was named after Giulio Onesti, and the next edition will be dedicated to the memory of Franco Chimenti, a person to whom Italian sport owes a great deal”.
The 300-hour course, divided into nine modules with mandatory attendance and residency, took place from 6 May to 16 October 2024 at the ‘Giulio Onesti’ Olympic Preparation Centre in Rome. It provided an in-depth understanding of the Olympic System at national and international levels, with a focus on the management of CONI and other sports institutions. Enhance understanding of sport, Olympic values and regulations for people of all abilities and disabilities and stimulate an in-depth understanding of legal, finance, marketing, innovation and management and contracting skills: these were some of the course’s aims.
The training programme also included an internship: the students were integrated into CONI’s Olympic Delegation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (the internship took place between Rome and Paris), with roles individually assigned by CONI’s Secretary General and Head of Mission for the French Olympics, Carlo Mornati.
“Today, a circle has been closed,” emphasised CONI Secretary General Carlo Mornati. “It was a great course, characterised by professionalism. The students came to Paris with us and had an important professional experience”. Also present was Angelo Maria Petroni, Scientific Director of the Advanced School of Olympic Specialisation: “This is a professional school, not an academic course. When you come here, you’ve ‘already eaten’ – you have to learn to put it in practice. Now we can say it: it worked. Sport is not a separate world but a part of civil society, the economy, and the nation. CONI is an autobiography of Italy.” Gianni Letta, President of the Committee of Trustees for Olympic Training, who opened the first Olympic Management Course for General Secretaries with a lecture last February, added: “I guarantee that our congratulations to the graduates are genuine, sincere, and well-deserved. These diplomas are not just decorated parchments: they are important documents that have had substantial value throughout history. CONI’s school is a prestigious institution in our country, loved by all and appreciated worldwide. No valid organisation today can do without excellent managers. We wish you a brilliant career”. Carlo Nardello, Consultant for the Olympic Training Project, then outlined the various stages of the course, and Giampiero Pastore, Director of CONI’s Institute of Sports Medicine and Science, reiterated the importance of the contribution of CONI professionals to the success of the course and initiated the graduation ceremony.
The second edition of the Olympic Management Course, dedicated to the memory of Franco Chimenti, is scheduled to run from 5 May to 10 October 2025.
Cerimonia dei diplomi per gli allievi del 1° Corso in Management Olimpico
Dolomiti Valtellina confirmed as preferred host for 2028 Winter Youth Olympic Games
- YOG
The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) is proud to announce that the International Olympic Committee Executive Board has named Dolomiti Valtellina as the preferred host for the 2028 Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG). This milestone reaffirms Italy’s leadership in international winter sports and its commitment to advancing the Olympic Movement’s values of sustainability, youth empowerment, and global unity.
The successful proposal, spearheaded by CONI in partnership with the regions of Lombardy, Veneto, and the autonomous Province of Trento, received full and unwavering support from all levels of government. This collaborative approach has been instrumental in demonstrating Italy’s readiness to host an innovative, inclusive, and sustainable Games.
CONI President Giovanni Malagò remarked: “The full support from the national Government, combined with the dedication of our regional and local partners, has been a cornerstone of our success. This united effort reflects Italy’s passion for sport and its ability to deliver world-class events with a lasting legacy”.
The Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 project leverages the infrastructure and experience of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, ensuring a YOG edition entirely based on existing venues across three clusters: Valtellina, Trentino, and Cortina d’Ampezzo. This strategic approach minimizes environmental impact while maximizing economic and social benefits for the host regions.
Karl Stoss, Chair of the IOC Future Host Commission, stated: “The vision for Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 embodies the values of the Youth Olympic Games: sustainability, inclusion, and empowerment. It also reinforces northern Italy’s position as a premier international destination for winter sports”.
The 2028 Winter YOG represents an unparalleled opportunity to inspire future generations of athletes while strengthening Italy’s reputation on the global stage. The Games will serve as a platform for innovation and cultural exchange, leaving a lasting impact on local communities.
The IOC Future Host Commission is finalizing its review of the proposal, and if all requirements are met, the project will be formally presented for election at the IOC Session in January 2025.
ANOC Awards 2024: Italvolley wins ‘Best Women’s Team’. Cambi: “Paris 2024 was an incredible journey”
- IN CASCAIS
Julio Velasco’s national volleyball team has won the ‘Best Women’s Team’ award at the 2024 ANOC Awards.
The Azzurre were among the stars of the event in Cascais, Portugal, organised by the Association of National Olympic Committees and broadcast live on ItaliaTeamTV. The jury, which annually recognises outstanding performances in major international sporting events, selected Italvolley, who won gold at Paris 2024 without suffering a single defeat, helping Italia Team reach 40 podium finishes and surpass its record medal tally from Tokyo 2020.
Ekaterina Antropova, Caterina Bosetti, Carlotta Cambi, Anna Danesi, Monica De Gennaro, Paola Egonu, Sarah Fahr, Gaia Giovannini, Marina Lubian, Loveth Omoruyi, Alessia Orro, Miriam Sylla, and Ilaria Spirito: this was the squad that secured the first Olympic gold in Italian volleyball history, following three silver and three bronze medals won by the men’s team.
Among those attending the ceremony at the CCE Auditorium in Estoril were CONI President Giovanni Malagò, Secretary General Carlo Mornati, and a delegation from CONI’s Olympic Preparation division, who travelled to Portugal to participate in the ANOC General Assembly, which will conclude on 1 November.
“How did we win gold? Our mindset changed, and thanks to our coach Julio Velasco, our staff, and the lessons learned from past experiences, we made it,” said Carlotta Cambi on stage (photo ANOC) after receiving the award from Francesco Ricci Bitti, President of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations. “It was an incredible journey. When we returned to Italy, we received an extraordinary welcome”.
Earlier in Cascais, Raffaele Pagnozzi, Secretary General of the European Olympic Committees and former Secretary General of CONI, was also honoured with the ANOC Merit Award.
Pagnozzi awarded the ANOC Merit Award by the Assembly of National Olympic Committees
- IN CASCAIS
The Secretary General of the European Olympic Committees and former Secretary General of CONI, Raffaele Pagnozzi, received the ANOC Merit Award this morning in Cascais. This prestigious accolade, established in 1983, honours officials who have made outstanding contributions to ANOC’s activities.
It was the President of the IOC, Thomas Bach, together with ANOC President Robin Mitchell, who presented the award to Pagnozzi (photo ANOC), while the following citation was read: “As Secretary General of the European Olympic Committees, he has demonstrated exceptional dedication and leadership in his role over the past 18 years, significantly contributing to the advancement of the Olympic Movement in Europe. Through his tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to the values of Olympism, the EOC has achieved significant milestones, strengthening unity and collaboration among Europe’s NOCs.”
Representing CONI at the Assembly in Cascais are President Giovanni Malagò and Secretary General Carlo Mornati. This evening, at the Gala Dinner, awards will be presented to the best athletes and teams in the world for 2024. The Italian delegation awaits the results with great anticipation, as the Italian women’s volleyball team, victorious at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, is among the nominees for the prestigious trophy. The event will be broadcast live on tv.italiateam.sport from 8 p.m. (Italian time).
Tomorrow morning, on the second day of proceedings, Malagò will deliver a report on the progress of the organisation of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
IOC Advanced Team Physician Course at the ‘Giulio Onesti’ Olympic Preparation Centre. Malagò: “Honoured to host the elite of sports medicine”
- CONI-CIO
The fifteenth edition of the IOC Advanced Team Physician Course has begun at CONI’s ‘Giulio Onesti’ Olympic Preparation Centre. The global elite of sports medicine has gathered in Rome for this event, recognised by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education and aimed at physicians of high-level teams from national Olympic committees and international federations. The course features interactive lectures by highly experienced doctors, academics, and specialists, discussing the main clinical cases encountered worldwide.
In the Aula Magna of Acqua Acetosa, Roald Bahr, President of the IOC Scientific Committee, opened the event: “We are in the centre where champions are trained, where Italian athletes prepared for the Paris 2024 Olympics, winning 40 medals. We are delighted to hold an event here that has travelled the world since 2008. Our goal has always been to help the best doctors take care of the best athletes”. Richard Budgett, IOC Medical and Scientific Director since 2012, added: “I would like to particularly thank CONI and President Giovanni Malagò. This is a special event in a special place. Here, the best are trained, and the significance increases considering that the next edition of the Olympic Games, the 2026 Winter Games, will take place in Italy.” Jane Thornton, who will succeed Richard Budgett in December, said: “Passion and commitment have made it possible once again to organise this splendid meeting. It is a fantastic tradition that continues under the banner of quality: at the centre is the athlete and their well-being”.
At this point, CONI President Giovanni Malagò (photo Gobbi GMT) took the floor: “Welcome to the fifteenth edition of the IOC Advanced Team Physician Course. I represent CONI, I am an IOC member, but above all, I am personally honoured to be here with the global elite of sports medicine. I am sure you will enjoy this centre with its unique atmosphere, named after Giulio Onesti, who was a very important President of the Italian National Olympic Committee. After the Second World War, this centre was founded to support athletes in preparation for the Rome 1960 Games: there are ideal venues for all sports, and it is home to many athletes cared for by our Olympic Preparation team. With Paris 2024 behind us, an Olympics where we achieved the best medal tally in Italy’s history, it is now time to prepare for Milano Cortina 2026.” The ‘Giulio Onesti’ Olympic Preparation Centre is also home to the CONI Institute of Sports Medicine and Science. “The Institute,” added Malagò, “represents excellence in our country. Elite specialists for elite athletes”.
The IOC Advanced Team Physician Course will continue until the afternoon of Thursday, 24 October. Among the speakers is Professor Andrea Ferretti, Medical Director of the CONI Institute of Sports Medicine and Science, who on Wednesday afternoon will present “five lessons learned as a team physician”.
But that’s not all. On Friday 25 and Saturday 26, the thirteenth edition of the IOC Course on Cardiovascular Evaluation of Olympic Athletes will take place, returning to ‘Giulio Onesti’ after six years. Among the speakers from the IMSS will be Dr Maria Rosaria Squeo, Head of Medical Services for the Olympic Area, the Institute’s cardiology specialists – Professor Antonio Pelliccia, Dr Viviana Maestrini, Dr Giuseppe Di Gioia, and Drs Federica Mango and Sara Monosilio – and Dr Erika Lemme, a specialist in sports medicine.
Also on 25 and 26, the first edition of the IOC Course on Respiratory Care of Olympic Athletes will be held: representing the CONI Institute of Sports Medicine and Science will be Professor Paolo Palange, a specialist in pulmonology.
CONI Hosts the General Conference of the International Partnership Against Corruption in Sport
- AT THE FORO ITALICO
CONI hosted the annual General Conference of the International Partnership Against Corruption in Sport (IPACS), the multi-stakeholder platform launched in 2017 during the International Forum on Sport Integrity (IFSI) with the aim of bringing together international sports organisations, governments, and intergovernmental organisations in the fight against corruption in sport.
Welcoming attendees was CONI President and IOC member Giovanni Malagò, who extended his greetings to Pâquerette Girard Zappelli, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer of the IOC, and the over 100 officials, either present or connected remotely, representing governments, sports and intergovernmental organisations, as well as relevant private sector entities and academic institutions.
The Conference elected Swiss representative Urs Tschanz as President of IPACS for 2025-2026.
In addition to the election, the focus of the debate was on promoting good governance in sport, including the presentation of a new pragmatic tool developed by IPACS; the status, evolution, and ambitions of cooperation networks aimed at combating corruption in sport, with examples of best practices from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games; the latest trends and successes in using artificial intelligence to fight corruption in sport; and the presentation of the newly created IPACS working group and the strategic roadmap for 2025-26, along with the partnership’s future goals.
Emilia Romagna wins the Trofeo CONI Sicilia 2024: trophy awarded in Palermo
- CLOSING CEREMONY
Emilia Romagna is the winner of the ninth summer edition of the Trofeo CONI. The team from the CONI Regional Committee, led by President Andrea Dondi, has triumphed for the first time in the history of Italy’s largest under-14 sports event. Hosts Sicily finished second, while Friuli Venezia Giulia completed the podium in third place.
After three days under the banner of sport and friendship inaugurated by the CONI Fair Play Games and continued with the competitions of the disciplines of 39 National Sports Federations and 5 Associated Sports Disciplines, with an Opening Ceremony that is already historic thanks to the presence in Catania of the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella and the President of the Senate Ignazio La Russa, the Closing Ceremony was staged in Palermo (photo Bizzi-Ferraro CONI). The Foro Italico Umberto I (with a live video link to the delegations based in Catania) hosted the final act of this ‘mini Olympics,’ organised this year by CONI Sicilia (under the leadership of President Sergio D’Antoni), in collaboration with the CONI Territorial Directorate and in partnership with the Region of Sicily, the Municipality of Catania, the Municipality of Palermo, and ITA Airways.
It was a record-breaking edition: 4,500 participants including athletes and coaches, who were widely celebrated during the Closing Ceremony. The event opened with the Italian national anthem, performed by tenor Fabrizio Corona. The audience and the young athletes themselves warmly applauded Tina and Milo, the mascots of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. On stage, comedian and theatre actor Sasà Salvaggio entertained the attendees before Sergio D’Antoni, President of CONI Sicilia, took the floor: “The Trofeo CONI has been a success. This is the great victory for all. Youth sport and the Italian territory have won. I thank all those who contributed to this splendid event. The behaviour of the young athletes has been exemplary, and we are truly pleased. It has been a great moment of unity for the country through youth sport”. “These extraordinary young people fill me with happiness and joy,” added Roberto Lagalla, Mayor of Palermo. “We are delighted that Sicily hosted this event. Here, we celebrate the beauty of youth from all the regions of Italy. The smiles of these young athletes are the most wonderful thing”. President of the Region of Sicily, Renato Schifani, echoed this sentiment: “I am very pleased that, following the Opening Ceremony in Catania, it was Palermo that hosted the Closing Ceremony. This Trofeo CONI has demonstrated a united region, one that shapes its young people not only in sport but also in principles and values”.
Two outstanding Sicilian athletes also took centre stage. Swimmer Xenia Palazzo, winner of six Paralympic medals in her career, shared: “Over the years, I have experienced powerful emotions that I will carry in my heart forever”. Weightlifter Antonino Pizzolato, bronze medallist in the 81 kg category at the Tokyo Olympic Games and in the 89 kg category in Paris, also spoke: “You young people are the future. Believe in yourselves every day and work hard. Paris was a particularly emotional Olympic Games for me: the doctors told me I would not be able to go because of a severe spinal issue. But I believed in myself, I went, and I won a medal. My bronze feels like gold. I am very proud. Youngsters, treasure these emotions, because to win, it is not about ‘I’, but ‘we’”.
For the first time, the Fair Play Award, dedicated to the memory of Gianni Gallo, was presented to a boy and a girl who demonstrated exceptional respect for the rules and leadership skills: the winners were Piedmontese golfer Caterina Chiono, awarded in Catania, and Marche athlete Orlando Rocchi, an archer. The award was presented by former skier Claudia Giordani, silver medallist in the slalom at Innsbruck 1976 and current Vice President of CONI: “On the occasion of this wonderful edition of the Trofeo CONI, we want to highlight the importance of Olympic values and fair play. Fair play means integrity, respect for the rules, respect for teammates and oneself, friendship, teamwork, solidarity, and generosity”.
In the final moments, Cecilia D’Angelo, Director of the CONI Territorial Directorate, announced the final standings: third place for Friuli Venezia Giulia, second place for Sicily, and the winner of the 2024 Trofeo CONI Summer Edition – Emilia Romagna.
The ceremony concluded with Antonino Pizzolato extinguishing the Olympic cauldron.
Opening Ceremony, Mattarella: “Trofeo CONI an experience of enthusiasm, talent, and friendship”
- SICILY IN CELEBRATION
Emotion, passion, sport. Piazza dell’Università in Catania hosted the Opening Ceremony of the Trofeo CONI Sicilia 2024, with delegations also joining via video link from Palermo. For the first time in the event’s history, now in its ninth summer edition, the top two figures of the Italian state were in attendance: the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella (accompanied by his daughter, Laura), and the President of the Senate, Ignazio La Russa.
A celebration (photo Ferraro-Bizzi CONI) of the largest under-14 sporting event in Italy, where for the first time, the Fair Play Award – dedicated to the memory of Gianni Gallo – will be presented to a boy and a girl who have stood out through their respect for the rules and leadership skills. The event also honoured the memory of two legendary Azzurri figures, Franco Chimenti and Lea Pericoli, with a minute of silence dedicated to them.
Leading the parade of delegations were representatives of Italian communities abroad from Argentina, Australia (making its debut), Brazil, the United States, and Venezuela. In the days following the Trofeo, they will explore Sicily as part of the NRRP “Tourism of Roots” project, tracing their ancestral heritage. Behind them marched representatives from the 21 CONI Regional Committees, bringing together a record 4,500 participants, including athletes and coaches. In the midst of the young athletes Luigi Busà (Sicilian from Avola, gold in karate at Tokyo 2020), Manila Esposito (silver in Paris 2024 in the artistic gymnastics team all-around competition and bronze on beam), Matteo Melluzzo (sprinter from Syracuse in Paris 2024 and European gold in the 4x100m relay in Rome 2024) and ‘the Shark’ from Messina, former cyclist Vincenzo Nibali (winner of the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia). Also present at the ceremony will be Tina and Milo, the official mascots for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
The Carabinieri Fanfare played the Italian national anthem, the Corazzieri raised the Tricolore, and then the officials took the floor. “I have experienced many emotions in my life,” said Sergio D’Antoni, President of CONI Sicilia, “but this one is unique, intense, and powerful. I thank the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, for being here, showing once again how much he loves sport and this land, which often suffers from unjust prejudice that we must combat. Sport plays a crucial role in keeping young people off the streets and away from the mafia. Heroes like Mattarella, Falcone, and Borsellino have shown that we can change this land. We can gain worldwide recognition with the pride of being Sicilian. I also thank the President of the Sicily Region, Renato Schifani, whose significant contribution made this event possible: without the Region’s support, we would not have succeeded. I thank the President of CONI, Giovanni Malagò: he has always believed in the region and defended CONI. In recent years, we have achieved results never before seen in the history of Italian sport”.
Next, the Mayor of Catania, Enrico Trantino, addressed the audience: “This is an exhilarating moment for our region. The presence of the top two figures of the state is a testament to their sensitivity towards our territory. Sport is the workshop where much of society’s future is shaped. It is not victory that makes us better, but respect for the rules of the game. May the best win, but above all, be fair and enjoy yourselves”. “This is a moment of gathering, growth, and reflection on the values that sport must embody and uphold,” added Gaetano Galvagno, President of the Sicilian Regional Assembly. “Rossella Fiamingo and Alberta Santuccio lived their dreams in Paris, while Rossana Pasquino triumphed with a Paralympic medal in the same French capital. Live every moment of this experience with passion and determination”. Renato Schifani, President of the Sicily Region, also spoke: “Sport is a fundamental value for our country, especially for you young people. It is a school of life. Through sport, young people learn respect for the rules, determination, solidarity, and team spirit. With the Trofeo CONI, we celebrate sport and friendship, shared joy”.
CONI President Giovanni Malagò expressed pride and gratitude for an unforgettable evening: “All I can say is thank you for your presence, which honours this extraordinary regional Olympics. We have travelled across Italy, but what we see here is unparalleled. If we are here today, it is because of the federation presidents and regional committee members who are elected volunteers from our movement of 14 million Italians: they bring expertise and embody a wealth of history that has made Italian sport great”.
Athletes and coaches took their respective oaths, followed by a performance by the Fratelli Napoli with their traditional marionette theatre. The Olympic cauldron was then lit. The torchbearers in Catania were fencers Rossella Fiamingo and Alberta Santuccio, gold medallists in the team épée event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games; meanwhile, in Palermo, three-time kickboxing world champion Elena Pantaleo carried the flame.
On stage in Catania, Rossana Pasquino, bronze medallist in the team foil event at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, introduced the three-year collaboration between CONI and the Agnelli Foundation. As part of this initiative, Pasquino, Fiamingo, and Santuccio will visit middle school students in Catania, sharing their experiences of balancing sport and education while excelling in both fields. “It is wonderful to be here, at home,” said Alberta Santuccio. “Seeing these young people parade reminds me of Paris: at 14, I dreamed of an Olympic medal. You must believe in your dreams.” “We have been travelling a lot recently, and it is fantastic to be back home,” added Rossella Fiamingo. “These young athletes are the future of sport. My Italian teacher used to say, ‘Sport is culture.’ He was right”.
Finally, Sergio Mattarella declared the Trofeo CONI Sicilia 2024 officially open: “Thank you, young people, you are wonderfully numerous. This opening evening launches you into days filled with enthusiasm that you will remember forever. You will display talent and friendship: best wishes for these days ahead and for your future. I declare the Trofeo CONI open”.
Everything is set for the Trofeo CONI Sicilia 2024: Mattarella at the Opening Ceremony, Olympic champions Fiamingo and Santuccio as torchbearers
- NINTH SUMMER EDITION
The ninth summer edition of the Trofeo CONI is set to be a record-breaking event. Sicily, with the provinces of Catania and Palermo, along with an additional venue in the Syracuse area, is ready to host Italy’s largest under-14 sports event, taking place from Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 October.
This year’s ‘mini Olympics’, organised by CONI Sicilia (led by President Sergio D’Antoni) in collaboration with CONI’s Territorial Directorate and in partnership with the Sicily Region, the Municipality of Catania, the Municipality of Palermo, and ITA Airways, will begin on 3 October with the CONI Fair Play Games, a series of multidisciplinary sports activities centred around Olympic values. The following day, Friday 4 October, the competitions will begin, and at 6.30 p.m. in Piazza dell’Università in Catania (with a live video link to the teams based in Palermo), the Opening Ceremony will take place in the presence of President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, President of the Senate Ignazio La Russa (marking the first time in history that the first and second highest offices of state will be present at the Trofeo CONI), President of the Sicily Region Renato Schifani, President of the Sicilian Regional Assembly Gaetano Galvagno, Mayor of Catania Enrico Trantino, and the leaders of Italian sport, including CONI President Giovanni Malagò, Secretary General Carlo Mornati, and Vice President Claudia Giordani. Numerous champions from the Italia Team will also be present in Catania. The torchbearers for the event will be Olympic gold medallists Rossella Fiamingo and Alberta Santuccio, who triumphed in the women’s épée team event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Other notable guests include Luigi Busà (from Avola, Sicily, Olympic karate gold medallist at Tokyo 2020), Manila Esposito (silver medallist in the artistic gymnastics team all-around and bronze medallist on beam at Paris 2024), Matteo Melluzzo (a sprinter from Syracuse, who competed at Paris 2024 and won European gold in the 4x100m relay in Rome 2024), and ‘The Shark’ of Messina, Vincenzo Nibali (winner of both the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia). Also present at the ceremony will be Tina and Milo, the official mascots of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. The opening ceremony will also feature a performance by La Marionettistica dei Fratelli Napoli, founded in 1921 and considered one of the most significant expressions of Catanese-style traditional puppetry.
The following day, after the conclusion of the competitions, the Closing Ceremony will take place at Foro Italico Umberto I in Palermo (with a live video link to the teams based in Catania) at 6 p.m., during which the winning region will be announced.
The Trofeo CONI, with its “Live your Dream” slogan, is a multidisciplinary event that promotes youth participation in sport through the collaboration of the entire sporting ecosystem and the involvement of numerous sports associations. The format, strongly desired by the Italian National Olympic Committee and well received by all sporting bodies, is its main feature, a forerunner of the gender parity achieved by the IOC at Olympic level in Paris 2024.
Since its launch in 2014, thousands of young athletes have competed in territorial qualifying events to represent their regions at the National Final of the Trofeo CONI, experiencing the joy of competition, discovering new places and cultures, and nurturing their Olympic dreams. The Trofeo has also been a springboard for future champions: at the first edition in Caserta in 2014, a young Davide Di Veroli took part and won, later becoming a multiple medallist in fencing. His journey from the Trofeo CONI led him to the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires 2018, where he carried the flag and won gold, before going on to compete as part of the Italia Team at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.
The National Final of the Trofeo CONI marks the culmination of a journey that begins with young athletes registered with Amateur Sports Associations (ASDs) and Amateur Sports Societies (SSDs) on the CONI National Register and affiliated with the National Sports Federations and Associated Sports Disciplines in their provinces and regions. It is a unique opportunity for growth through sport. 4500 athletes and technicians are expected to participate in Sicily, a record-breaking number compared to previous editions, representing the 21 CONI Regional Committees: among the 39 National Sports Federations and 5 Associated Sports Disciplines (another record), billiards, bowling, and cricket – the latter as a demonstration sport ahead of its inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic programme – will debut at the Trofeo CONI.
Thanks to the NRRP ‘Tourism of Roots’ project, athletes from the Italian communities abroad representing CONI delegations from Argentina, Australia (making its debut), Brazil, the United States, and Venezuela will compete, as they did last year. In the days following the Trofeo, they will remain in Sicily to explore their ancestral roots. Their participation is one of the outcomes of the Permanent Cooperation Agreement between CONI and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aimed at promoting Italian culture and sports internationally. This collaboration also includes sporting events such as the National Sports Day and the Trofeo CONI itself, reinforcing Italy’s global sporting community.
Among this year’s new initiatives is a three-year collaboration between CONI and the Agnelli Foundation, which in Sicily will involve, in addition to Fiamingo and Santuccio, Paralympic champion Rossana Pasquino, bronze medallist in the team foil event at Paris 2024. The three athletes will meet with middle school students from Catanese institutions, sharing their experiences of how they balanced their sporting careers with their education, excelling both in competition and in their studies.
Lazio leads the Trofeo CONI all-time rankings, having won in 2014 and in the last two editions, 2022 and 2023. It is followed by Piemonte (with victories in 2015 and 2018) and Veneto (2016 and 2019), while Lombardia claimed the title in 2017. Both ceremonies and select competitions from Trofeo CONI Sicilia 2024 will be broadcast on Italia Team TV (full schedule available HERE), CONI’s OTT streaming platform, which will dedicate four channels to the event.
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