Flag returned, Mattarella: “The successes in Paris confirm the excellent health of Italian sport”

• AT THE QUIRINALE

An emotional, overwhelming, and highly satisfying journey comes to an end for a team that has already made history in Italian sport.

The Salone dei Corazzieri at the Quirinale Palace in Rome hosted the official ceremony for the return of the Italian flag by the Italia Team standard-bearers from Paris 2024 to the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella (photo: Ferraro-Pagliaricci CONI).

Arianna Errigo and Gianmarco Tamberi represented the Olympic Games, and Ambra Sabatini the Paralympic Games. They led a large delegation of athletes, including medallists from Paris and those who finished in fourth place in their respective events. Also in attendance were the leading figures of Italian sport: CONI President Giovanni Malagò, CIP President Luca Pancalli, CONI Secretary General and Italia Team Head of Mission in Paris, Carlo Mornati, CONI Vice Presidents Silvia Salis and Claudia Giordani, numerous federation presidents, and the coaches who worked alongside the athletes to build Italy’s success in Paris.

In the French capital, the Italia Team achieved its best-ever Olympic medal tally: 40 medals (12 golds, 13 silvers, and 15 bronzes), the same number as the record set in Tokyo three years ago but with two more golds (12 to 10) and three more silvers (13 to 10). The ninth-place finish in the medal table confirms our country’s place among the world’s sporting elite (seventh overall in terms of podiums, third in Europe behind Great Britain and host nation France). Since the last four days of Rio 2016, Italy has never been off the Olympic podium. This streak continued in Tokyo and Paris, reaching 36 consecutive days and remains open as we look ahead to the next major target: Los Angeles 2028.

“Mr. President, thank you,” said Malagò in his speech addressed in particular to Mattarella. “The return of the flag is a ritual, but every time the sporting world comes here, to the home of Italians, there is always great emotion, there is always gratitude. You are our number one supporter. We set off with the promise to do better than Tokyo, and we did. Two more golds, a better placing, the second-best European nation behind the hosts, France. The credit goes to the athletes: they were all gladiators. Credit also goes to the coaches, officials, CONI’s Olympic Preparation Centre, and the federations. Since 18 August 2016, we won a medal on every single Olympic competition day without interruption, a streak unmatched by any other country. And then there are the fourth-place athletes, who, with your extraordinary sensitivity, you have invited. We led this ranking too, which honours us. And we also topped the ranking of fifth places: demonstrating not only the strength and depth of our team but also its quality. Usually, you would call us, this time, you were with us. In Paris, you endured adverse weather conditions, you honoured the team, and we were immensely proud of that. You visited the Olympic Village and Casa Italia, you witnessed our first medal, won by Filippo Ganna, and the second, won by Gigi Samele. Always cheering with us, proving that you are one of us. You were our first gold medal in every way. You gave us the boost to achieve this extraordinary result. We completed our mission, we made a great impression, and we gave our country a unique moment of joy. The identity of a nation is connected to the importance of its sporting achievements: we all feel proud to be Italian when we hear our anthem played at the top of a competition. From tomorrow, there will be 500 days until the next Olympics, Milano Cortina 2026. I promise we will continue to ensure that Italy remains a beacon of excellence in world sport”.

Then Pancalli took the floor: “Behind a great athlete’s achievement, there is always sacrifice, determination, commitment, and family support. We did not make any promises when receiving the flag, but we knew we had done excellent work: we exceeded expectations with two more medals than Tokyo and a sixth-place finish in the medal table. This is our best result ever, an extraordinary success. Italians have become passionate about and fallen in love with the Paralympic Games. Sport can help make a country better. And your presence at the Opening Ceremony, President Mattarella, was an immense recognition of the dignity of each and every one of us. These Games were revolutionary, we will always remember them for your presence”.

At this point, team captain Anna Danesi and the President of the Italian Volleyball Federation, Giuseppe Manfredi, presented the President of the Republic with a national team jersey and the ball from the Olympic final victory against the United States. Meanwhile, Rigivan Ganeshamoorthy gifted him the discus with which he won Paralympic gold and set three world records.

“It is truly a great pleasure to meet you all here,” said Mattarella, who presented a commemorative medal to all the athletes in attendance. “This meeting is meant to extend the celebration of sport that began with the flag presentation and continued in Paris. It aims to recapture the spirit of excitement and emotion that you so brilliantly embodied at the Games. Congratulations on improving on Tokyo: it was a tough task. It is striking that Italy secured at least one medal every day. We are the only country with this record, which is a great source of pride. There were signs that these achievements were on the horizon, both in sport and beyond. It is said that rain brings good luck: we certainly had plenty of it on 26 July. We could assess and sum up these extraordinary sporting moments we have experienced, which highlight the excellent health of Italian sport. The quality of our two teams has been evident. And the successes continue, as seen in the ongoing Cycling World Championships. The fourth places represent the athletes who, even without reaching the podium, performed brilliantly: that is the Olympic spirit. They are here today as representatives of the strength of our sporting movement. The medals were not just the achievements of individual champions but of a thriving and constantly growing sporting movement – growth that must be supported in every way. We all remember the thrilling moments, the renewed triumphs, and the challenges faced: I say to Gianmarco Tamberi and Ambra Sabatini that you won your medals through your extraordinary commitment and the support of everyone. I would have been delighted to follow your events in person: but though it was only possible for a few, I assure you I watched many of them on television. Thank you all: you have lived through unforgettable days, an experience that is a great milestone but one that came at great personal cost. Thank you for inspiring young people to commit to sport. My sincere congratulations to you all. And now, onwards to Milano Cortina 2026”.

The Tricolore bids farewell to France in the hands of Fiamingo and Paltrinieri: Paris 2024 passes the baton to Los Angeles 2028

• ITALIA TEAM

The curtain comes down on the Paris 2024 Olympics. At the Closing Ceremony on the Stade de France track, the Tricolore waved farewell to the French Olympics, in the hands of fencer Rossella Fiamingo, gold medallist in the team épée event alongside her teammates Alberta Santuccio, Giulia Rizzi, and Mara Navarria, and Gregorio Paltrinieri, her partner in life, who won silver and bronze in the 1500m and 800m freestyle respectively and became the first Italian swimmer to secure five Olympic medals (one gold, two silvers, and two bronzes).

Italia Team leaves France with a haul of 40 medals (12 golds, 13 silvers, and 15 bronzes), the same number as the record set in Tokyo three years ago but with two more golds (12 to 10) and three more silvers (13 to 10). The ninth-place finish in the medal table confirms our country’s place among the world's sporting elite (seventh overall in terms of podiums, third in Europe behind Great Britain and host nation France). Since the last four days of Rio 2016, Italy has never been off the Olympic podium. This streak continued in Tokyo and Paris, reaching 36 consecutive days and remains open as we look ahead to the next major target: Los Angeles 2028.

The largest Italian delegation ever (403 athletes, made up of 208 men and 195 women) has underscored the country’s multi-disciplinary depth and competitiveness, with the number of athletes in finals rising from 67 to 79. Italy's Olympic adventure concluded with 20 fourth-place finishes and 27 fifth-place finishes, further reflecting the country’s credibility across all Olympic sporting disciplines.

Never before have women outperformed men like in this Paris edition (7 golds out of 12, with 26 women versus 5 men). It was an Olympic Games of firsts: from the historic gold in women’s volleyball (the first success for an Italian team in 20 years) to the tennis doubles gold won by Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini, the Madison cycling gold by Chiara Consonni and Vittoria Guazzini, and the gold in artistic gymnastics beam by Alice D’Amato, with Manila Esposito also winning bronze. Among other milestones were the first-ever golds in the women’s team épée and the 100m backstroke with Thomas Ceccon. For the first time, medals were also won in the 10,000m athletics and the individual all-around in rhythmic gymnastics. After 100 years (and De Morpurgo’s bronze in Paris 1924), Italia Team won a medal in the men’s singles tennis thanks to Lorenzo Musetti’s bronze; after 96 years (silver in Amsterdam 1928), a medal was won in the team all-around in women’s artistic gymnastics; after 64 years, a medal was secured in the men’s C2 500m sprint canoeing with Gabriele Casadei and Carlo Tacchini; after 40 years, a medal was won in the men’s long jump with Mattia Furlani’s bronze; after 36 years, a medal was achieved in modern pentathlon with Giorgio Malan’s bronze; after 24 years, a medal was won in the men’s Madison cycling (silver Consonni-Viviani); and finally, after 12 years, Italia Team won medals in the men’s K1 slalom canoeing with Giovanni De Gennaro and in the men’s triple jump with Andy Diaz.

The next appointment is in four years, with the Olympics moving into the Californian sun. The French Olympic torch is extinguished, but the flame remains more alive than ever as it heads towards another great goal: Los Angeles 2028.

Historic gold for Italian women: Italia Team bids farewell to Paris with 40 medals, equalling the Tokyo 2020 record

• VOLLEYBALL

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. These are the women (photo Simone Ferraro/CONI) of the Italian volleyball team who added the finishing touch to Italia Team's performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

In the first pavilion of the South Paris Arena, the team, under the guidance of head coach Julio Velasco, dominated the final against the United States in three sets (25-18, 25-20, 25-17), finishing the tournament unbeaten and securing a historic gold. This is the twelfth gold medal for Italy in this edition of the Games and the first-ever gold for Italian volleyball, following three silvers and three bronzes won by the men's team.

This result, achieved on the final day of competition in Paris, meant that Italy finished with a total of 40 medals (12 golds, 13 silvers, and 15 bronzes), equalling the all-time record set three years ago in Tokyo.

Giorgio Malan climbs to bronze in Versailles: Italia Team returns to the Olympic Podium after 36 years

• MODERN PENTATHLON

Italia Team has secured a spot on the podium in the men’s modern pentathlon at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

This achievement is thanks to a remarkable Giorgio Malan, who claimed the bronze medal in the stunning gardens of the Château de Versailles. This is Italia Team's fifth Olympic medal in the individual event, and the first since Carlo Massullo’s silver 36 years ago at the Seoul Games.

The 24-year-old athlete from Turin (photo by Luca Pagliaricci/CONI) finished the fencing ranking round in 18th place (215 points) and posted the third-best overall score in the semi-finals (1511 points). In the final, he delivered a brilliant comeback, starting with a perfect equestrian round (300 points). His rise continued in the fencing bonus round, swimming, and the decisive laser-run, where the 2023 European Games champion in Krakow crossed the finish line in third place with a total of 1536 points. Only Egypt’s Ahmed Elgendy, who set a world record (1555 points), and Japan’s Taishu Sato (1542 points) finished ahead of him. Also noteworthy was the strong performance by fellow Italian Matteo Cicinelli, who finished fifth with 1527 points.

Silver for Elia Viviani and Simone Consonni in the Madison: Italia Team’s 38th medal at Paris 2024

• TRACK CYCLING

The Italian flag waves again at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines velodrome.

At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, following the historic victory of Chiara Consonni and Vittoria Guazzini, Italia Team secured a podium spot in the men’s Madison track cycling event as well, thanks to a memorable performance by the duo of Elia Viviani (photo by UCI) and Simone Consonni, who claimed the silver medal.

The Italian pair delivered a thrilling performance, dominating much of the race. However, in the final sprints, following a costly fall by Consonni, the Portuguese team made up of Iuri Leitao and Rui Oliveira took the lead and held on to it to seal the gold with a 55-point tally. The Italians followed with 47 points, securing second place and fending off challenges from Denmark’s Niklas Larsen and Michael Mørkøv (41 points) as well as New Zealand’s Aaron Gate and Campbell Stewart (33 points) and Japan’s Shunsuke Imamura and Kazushige Kuboki (30 points).

This marks Italia Team's 38th medal at these Games, and the second-ever in this event for the men’s team, following the bronze won by Silvio Martinello and Marco Villa 24 years ago in Sydney.

Italy’s Farfalle fly onto the Paris podium: bronze in the team all-around

• RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS

Italia Team continues its impressive streak of podium finishes in the Olympic rhythmic gymnastics team all-around competition.

Following a silver in Athens 2004 and bronze in both London 2012 and Tokyo 2020, Italy’s Farfalle (Butterflies), comprised of Alessia Maurelli, Martina Centofanti, Agnese Duranti, Daniela Mogurean, and Laura Paris (photo by Simone Ferraro/CONI), secured the bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Games, repeating their success from three years ago in Japan.

The Italian team earned their place in the final eight with the second-highest score in the qualifications (69.350), trailing only Bulgaria (70.400). In the final, they opened with a score of 36.100 in the hoops routine, followed by 32.000 in the mixed apparatus routine with ribbons and balls, achieving a total score of 68.100. The Italian formation finished behind China with a total of 69.800 points and Israel (68.850).

For Italia Team, this is the 37th medal of these Olympic Games, surpassing the totals from the Los Angeles 1932 and Rome 1960 Games.

Andy Diaz shines with bronze in triple jump: a dream debut in Italian colours

• ATHLETICS

Andy Diaz Hernandez's journey with Italia Team couldn’t have got off to a better start.

At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, during his first appearance in the national shirt, Diaz faced a daunting challenge but celebrated like a champion: claiming the bronze medal in the triple jump. His achievement equals the result of Giuseppe Gentile at Mexico City 1968 and, more significantly, mirrors that of his mentor and coach, Fabrizio Donato, who also won bronze in London 2012.

Diaz (photo by Luca Pagliaricci/CONI), who secured his spot in the final with the 12th and last qualifying jump (16.79), raised the bar right from the start, landing a jump of 17.63 metres. He followed this with a 17.33, passed on two jumps due to physical discomfort, recorded one foul, and then cemented his podium finish with a 17.64-metre jump, finishing behind Spain’s Jordan Alejandro Diaz Fortun (17.86) and Portugal’s Pedro Pichardo (17.84).

It means that Italia Team is celebrating its 36th medal of these Olympic Games, equalling the hauls from the Los Angeles 1932 and Rome 1960 Games.

Magic Nadia Battocletti: new national record and silver medal in the 10,000 metres

• ATHLETICS

Nadia Battocletti delivered an extraordinary performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The star from Cavareno made a spectacular comeback after narrowly missing out on the podium in the 5,000 metres, securing a brilliant silver medal in the 10,000 metres at the Stade de France. This achievement marks Italy's second Olympic podium finish in this event and the first for a female athlete, following Salvatore Antibo's silver at the Seoul 1988 Games.

Battocletti (photo by Luca Pagliaricci/CONI) remained in the leading pack throughout the race, finishing with an overall time of 30:43.35, shattering her previous national record set in June during her victory at the European Championships in Rome. Thanks to a powerful final sprint, she crossed the line just behind Kenya's Beatrice Chebet (30:43.25). The Dutch athlete Sifan Hassan took the bronze with a time of 30:44.12 but was unable to challenge Battocletti’s strong hold on the silver medal position.

Simone Alessio claims his first Olympic podium: bronze medal in the -80 kg category

• TAEKWONDO

An indomitable Simone Alessio overcame the disappointment of missing out on gold to secure his first-ever Olympic podium at the Paris 2024 Games.

Competing at the Grand Palais, the Italian taekwondo athlete won the bronze medal in the -80 kg category.

His journey began in the round of 16 with a 2-0 victory (6-0, 3-1) over Kazakhstan’s Batyrkhan Toleugali. In the quarter-finals, he faced a dramatic encounter but was narrowly defeated by Iran’s Mehran Barkhordari, who triumphed 2-1 (1-6, 2-1, 10-9). With Barkhordari advancing to the final, Alessio entered the repechage round, where he defeated Uzbekistan’s Jasurbek Jaysunov 2-0 (5-4, 5-2). In the first bronze medal match, Alessio emerged victorious in a tight contest, winning 2-0 (3-3, 2-1) against the American CJ Nickolas, the second seed.

This marks the fifth Olympic medal in the history of Italian taekwondo, and the second bronze in the -80 kg category, following Mauro Sarmiento’s success at London 2012.

Consonni and Guazzini make history: triumph in the Madison delivers Italia Team's 11th gold medal

• TRACK CYCLING

Chiara Consonni and Vittoria Guazzini delivered an extraordinary performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

At the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines velodrome, the Italian duo executed a tactically flawless race, boldly securing first place in the Madison track cycling event, earning Italia Team their 11th gold medal of this five-ringed event (surpassing the tallies of Tokyo 1964, Athens 2004, and Tokyo 2020).

The two Italians (photo by Antonio Fraioli/CONI), who celebrated the greatest victory of their careers, completed their exceptional race with a total of 37 points, a score that placed them ahead of the highly regarded Great Britain team of Elinor Barker and Neah Evans (silver with 31) and the Netherlands duo of Maike van der Duin and Lisa van Belle (bronze with 28).

For Italy, this is a historic gold. In this discipline, the previous best was a bronze medal in the men’s event at the Sydney 2000 edition, won by the tandem of Silvio Martinello and Marco Villa.