Porzio brothers, Weissensteiner, Di Centa, Buffon, Piccinini, Di Francisca and Montano inducted into the Walk of Fame
- CONI
Seven new plaques have been added to the Walk of Fame of Italian sport. At the Foro Italico, CONI President Giovanni Malagò and Secretary General Carlo Mornati unveiled tiles dedicated to athletes who have carried the Italian flag with pride on the international stage: the brothers Franco and Pino Porzio (water polo), Gerda Weissensteiner (luge and bobsleigh), Giorgio Di Centa (cross-country skiing), Gianluigi Buffon (football), Francesca Piccinini (volleyball), Elisa Di Francisca (fencing) and Aldo Montano (fencing).
It was a powerful ceremony (photo by Ferdinando Mezzelani, GMT), bringing together icons from a range of disciplines united by a deep love for the blue jersey and years of dedication and honour. “Franco and Pino will now be together for eternity,” said Malagò, opening the event with the Porzio brothers, who won gold with the national team at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. “It’s always been our dream,” they responded. “It would take too long just to list all of Gerda’s achievements,” the CONI President continued, referring to Weissensteiner, the first and only Italian athlete to win Winter Olympic medals in two different sports. The former luge and bobsleigh star said she was “truly honoured” and thanked CONI and the Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI) for the opportunities received.
Next came Giorgio Di Centa, of whom Malagò remarked: “He’s both the brother and father of champions. His gold medal in the 50 km cross-country ski race at Torino 2006 is an epic feat now carved in stone.” Di Centa responded: “It’s a great honour to be chosen. I thank the military sports corps that raised me, FISI and CONI. We now look ahead to our home Olympics in Milano-Cortina: best of luck to our athletes.”
Then came Gianluigi Buffon, World Cup winner with the Italian national team under coach Marcello Lippi in Germany 2006 whom the CONI President introduced in the following manner: “There’s nothing I need to say about what he’s done in the world of sport and football. Today he’s also a manager. He’s a friend, not just because of the World Cup. He is the greatest goalkeeper of all time,” said Malagò. Gigi was visibly proud: “I thank CONI and President Malagò, who always gives special attention to athletes in all sports. When we take to the field, we fight for ourselves and for our country. And this country needs to recover its memory and remember its own history.”
Also in Germany, but in 2002, Francesca Piccinini won a world title with the national volleyball team. “A plaque that is overdue, fully deserved, and absolutely necessary,” said Malagò. “Francesca Piccinini was a towering athlete with an extraordinary career: it’s hard to count her victories. I proposed this honour ten years ago, but she wouldn’t retire…” The former Italian volleyball spiker said she was “particularly moved” by the recognition.
The final tributes were for fencing. “She is someone who helped write the history of Italian sport. In my mind, I had hoped she would never stop competing. You were amazing,” said Malagò as he introduced Elisa Di Francisca, who won individual and team gold in foil at London 2012, followed by individual silver at Rio 2016. “I retired at a very particular time,” she said, visibly emotional. “I felt I had done all I could, and it was during the Covid pandemic. I wanted to step away at the top and chose to have my second child. Now my children will be able to see this plaque even when I’m no longer here.” Finally, it was the turn of Aldo Montano, individual sabre champion at Athens 2004 and four-time team medallist. “This plaque is a way of saying thank you to a great champion, a sign of recognition and gratitude,” said Malagò. “It’s beautiful and emotional. When you stop competing, you are left with a memory that lasts forever – proof that you did something meaningful for your country,” Montano concluded.
Nuovi ingressi nella Walk of Fame con i fratelli Porzio, Weissensteiner, Buffon, Di Centa, Piccinini, Di Francisca e Montano
Three Regional Representatives selected, completing the Elective National Council
- CONI
The Regional Committees, gathered in the CONI Salone d’Onore, have elected their representatives for the Elective National Council scheduled for 26 June.
Northern Area Representatives: Of 8 eligible voters, 6 cast their votes. Elected: Paola Mora (6 votes).
Central Area Representatives: All 6 eligible voters participated. Elected: Simone Cardullo (4 votes), with one blank and one spoiled ballot. The President of CONI Marche, Fabio Luna, withdrew his candidacy at the start of the Assembly.
Southern Area Representatives: All 7 eligible voters cast their vote. Elected: Bruno Perra (6 votes). Not elected: Angelo Giliberto (0 votes). One blank ballot was recorded.
With the election of the regional representatives, the Elective National Council is now complete. On 26 June, at the Giulio Onesti Olympic Preparation Centre, it will convene to elect the new President of CONI.
Elective National Council: three Provincial Delegates elected
- CONI
On the final day of voting ahead of the Elective National Council scheduled for 26 June, the Provincial Delegates elected their representatives for the Assembly body of the organisation.
Northern Area Provincials: Of 35 eligible voters, 28 cast their votes. Elected: Dino Ponchio (22 votes). Not elected: Stefano Fabio Mossino (4 votes). Two blank ballots were recorded.
Central Area Provincials: All 35 eligible voters participated. Elected: Andrea Dondi (26 votes). Not elected: Massimiliano Milozzi (4 votes). Five blank ballots were recorded.
Southern Area Provincials: Out of 34 eligible voters, 33 voted. Elected: Elisabetta Christiana Lancellotta (17 votes). Not elected: Mariacristina Correnti (15 votes). One spoiled ballot was recorded. At the start of the Assembly, Sergio D’Antoni withdrew his candidacy.
Elective National Council: Marcello Marchioni elected as representative of the Meritorious Associations
- CONI
The Meritorious Associations have chosen their representative for the upcoming CONI Elective National Council scheduled for 26 June. Out of 20 eligible voters, 16 participated, electing Marcello Marchioni with 8 votes. Ingrid Louise Van Marle (5 votes) and Dario Bugli (3 votes) were not elected.
Elective National Council: three DSA representatives selected
- CONI
This morning, the Associated Sports Disciplines (DSA) convened in the CONI Salone d’Onore to elect their three representatives for the upcoming Elective National Council on 26 June.
Each of the following candidates was elected with three votes: Maria Osti (Equestrian Tourism and TREC – Ante), Enzo Casadidio (Traditional Games and Sports), and Edoardo Facchetti (Tamburello). Another candidate, Carla Gobbetto (Orienteering), received one vote, and one blank ballot was recorded. At the start of the Assembly, Alfio Giomi (Orienteering) withdrew his candidacy.
Of the 13 eligible voters, 11 cast their votes. Andrea Mancino, Commissioner of the Italian Bridge Federation, did not register to vote.
Elective National Council: five coaches selected, Luca Piscopo (FISSW) tops the vote
- CONI
The five coach representatives for the upcoming CONI Elective National Council on 26 June have been chosen.
The coaches gathered in the Aula Magna of the Giulio Onesti Olympic Preparation Centre—where the athletes’ assembly had been held earlier this morning—to cast their votes. The results were as follows: Luca Piscopo (surfing, water skiing and wakeboarding) with 26 votes, Cristina Pernazza (archery) 21, Maria Grazia Italiano (badminton) 19, Marta Pagnini (gymnastics) 18, and Sandro Cuomo (fencing) 17.
Out of 62 eligible voters, 55 participated in selecting their representatives for the National Council.
The highest-ranking candidates not elected were: Nicola Traina (Federkombat) 16 votes, Carlo Andrea Bordini (draughts) 15, Elena Barani (handball) 12, Orazio Ermanno Arancio (rugby) 10, Carlo Dal Pozzo (winter sports) 4, Raffaella Masciadri (basketball) 4, Giulia Quintavalle (judo) 2, Mirko Anelli (Federkombat) 0, and Silvia Epis (cycling) 0.
Elective National Council: ten athletes selected, Gregorio Paltrinieri (swimming) tops the vote
- CONI
The three-day election process began today at the Giulio Onesti Olympic Preparation Centre in Rome, where various assemblies are choosing their representatives for the CONI Elective National Council on 26 June.
The first to vote this morning were the athlete representatives, with 106 of the 119 eligible voters participating in the first round and 88 in the second.
In the first round, the following candidates were elected: Gregorio Paltrinieri (swimming) with 49 votes, Federico Pellegrino (winter sports) 42, Elena Cecchini (cycling) 37, Vittorio Andrea Vaccaro (golf) 37, Alessandro Lupino (motorcycling) 36, Valentina Marchei (ice sports) 36, Alessia Zecchini (sport fishing and underwater activities) 34, and Edoardo Roberto Buticchi (dynamic shooting) 28.
To ensure gender parity (5+5), a runoff was required between Camilla Bendazzoli (sport climbing), Nicole Campaner (modern pentathlon), and Chiara Virag (wakeboard), each having received 33 votes in the first round.
In the second round, Camilla Bendazzoli prevailed with 55 votes and Chiara Virag secured 44 votes, while Nicole Campaner was not elected, receiving 34 votes.
The ten athlete representatives elected to the National Council are therefore: Gregorio Paltrinieri (swimming), Federico Pellegrino (winter sports), Elena Cecchini (cycling), Vittorio Andrea Vaccaro (golf), Alessandro Lupino (motorcycling), Valentina Marchei (ice sports), Alessia Zecchini (sport fishing and underwater activities), Edoardo Roberto Buticchi (dynamic shooting), Camilla Bendazzoli (sport climbing), and Chiara Virag (wakeboard).
Candidates not elected include Nicole Campaner (modern pentathlon) 33 votes, Elena Pantaleo (federkombat) 31, Diana Bacosi (shooting) 27, Cristina Lenardon (handball) 26, Francesco Marrai (sailing) 24, and Luigi Busà (karate) 21.
Davis Cup champions Arnaldi and Bolelli awarded the Collare d'Oro by Malagò and Mornati
- TENNIS
The rising star and the seasoned veteran: a symbol of the present and future of a national team that has stood at the summit of world tennis for the past two years.
In a ceremony held in the Sala delle Fiaccole at the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) headquarters, Matteo Arnaldi was awarded the Collare d'Oro al Merito Sportivo (Golden Collar for Sporting Merit) for his pivotal role in Italy’s 2023 Davis Cup triumph. Simone Bolelli, meanwhile, received the prestigious honour not only for that same historic victory but also for contributing to Italy's latest success in 2024 — a testament to the country's growing dominance in the sport.
The awards were presented by CONI President Giovanni Malagò and General Secretary Carlo Mornati.
Arnaldi, born in Sanremo in 2001, played a decisive role in the thrilling campaign led by captain Filippo Volandri. Two seasons ago, Italy clinched the Davis Cup title by defeating Australia in the final, thanks to victories by Jannik Sinner over Alex de Minaur and Arnaldi’s crucial win against Alexei Popyrin.
For Bolelli, this marks the second and third Golden Collars of a distinguished career, having previously received the accolade for his Grand Slam victory in the 2015 Australian Open doubles alongside Fabio Fognini. A true stalwart of Italian tennis, Bolelli continues to be an indispensable figure both on and off the court.
Host City Contract signed: Lignano Sabbiadoro to host the EYOF from 24 July to 1 August 2027
- AT TRIESTE
CONI, the European Olympic Committees, the Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region, the town of Lignano Sabbiadoro and the EYOF 2027 Organising Committee have signed the Host City Contract for the summer edition of the 19th European Youth Olympic Festival, Lignano 2027.
The agreement was signed today in Trieste, at the Palazzo della Regione, by the President of CONI, Giovanni Malagò, the President of the European Olympic Committees, Spyros Kapralos, the President of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region, Massimiliano Fedriga, the Mayor of Lignano Sabbiadoro, Laura Giorgi, and the President of the Lignano 2027 Bid Committee, Giorgio Brandolin. Also a signatory, though not present in person, was the Secretary General of the European Olympic Committees, Carlo Mornati.
Twenty-two years after the extraordinary 2005 edition, the most important multidisciplinary event dedicated to young European athletes will return to Lignano Sabbiadoro from 24 July to 1 August 2027.
The popular Friulian resort town secured the bid thanks to its existing facilities and venues, strong logistics and long-standing experience hosting major global multi-sport events. The decision was made at the General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees held in Bucharest, Romania, last June.
Sonego honoured with Collare d'Oro for Davis Cup triumph. Malagò: “Thank you for what you’ve done and what you will do”
- TENNIS
Lorenzo Sonego has officially joined his teammates in receiving the Collare d’Oro al Merito Sportivo (Golden Collar for Sporting Merit), marking the final presentation to members of Italy’s victorious 2023 Davis Cup team.
Following honours given to Lorenzo Musetti, Matteo Berrettini and Jannik Sinner, the Turin-born tennis player was welcomed to CONI’s Sala delle Fiaccole in Rome, where he received the highest accolade in Italian sport from CONI President Giovanni Malagò and General Secretary Carlo Mornati.
Sonego played a key role in Captain Filippo Volandri’s squad that brought the Davis Cup back to Italy in 2023, after a 47-year wait since the nation’s only previous victory in 1976. He was especially instrumental in the doubles, partnering with current ATP World No.1 Jannik Sinner.
A former World No.21 (achieved in 2021), Sonego has won four ATP Tour titles, in addition to three Challenger and three Futures crowns.
“Congratulations,” said President Malagò. “Thank you, Lorenzo, for what you’ve achieved and for what you will go on to achieve. I hope you’ll win many more Golden Collars in the future.”
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