Carlo Mornati awarded the "Laurel Award" for honouring sport in Europe

• EUROPEAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEES

CONI Secretary General Carlo Mornati was honoured today in Istanbul at the 52nd Assembly of the European Olympic Committees. The EOCs presented Mornati with the prestigious "Laurel Award," an annual accolade given to leaders who have honoured sport in Europe. The motivation for Mornati’s award was read by EOC Secretary General and former CONI Secretary General Raffaele Pagnozzi. Presenting the award, in addition to Pagnozzi, were IOC members Spyros Capralos, president of the EOCs, and Daina Gudzineviciute. The other award recipients were: former Vice President of the Austrian Olympic Committee, Otto Flum; Vice President of the Olympic Committee of Finland, Susanna Rahkamo; former Secretary General of the Hungarian Olympic Committee, Zoltan Molnár; and President of the European Hockey Federation, Marijke Fleuren. Mornati, a runner-up Olympic champion in Sydney 2000 in rowing, served as Head of the Delegation to the Olympic Games from Sochi 2014 to Beijing 2022, and has been CONI Secretary General since 2018.

Gangwon 2024 Torch Tour set to light up the Republic of Korea with “Journey of Solidarity”

• WINTER YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES

The traditional lighting ceremony for the Youth Olympic flame was held in the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens. Co-President of the Gangwon 2024 Organising Committee Jin Jong-oh and IOC Member and President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee Spyros Capralos attended.

Following Olympic tradition, the Youth Olympic flame was lit by the sun’s rays reflected in a parabolic mirror, with a priestess from the Temple of Hera then passing on the flame to the first torchbearer, Belli Maria – a 17-year-old cross-country skier and biathlete from Florina, Greece.

Korean figure skater Kim Hyun-gyeom, 17, and freestyle skier Yun Shin-ee, 16, also participated in the relay segment, alongside Greek Alpine skier Vougioukas Apostolos, 17.

IOC Member Hong Zhang, the Chair of the IOC Coordination Commission for Gangwon 2024, said: “We are very excited for the Gangwon 2024 Torch Tour. This will be a special opportunity to spread the Olympic spirit throughout the host nation ahead of the YOG, and is sure to bring back happy memories of the Olympic flame’s journey across the Republic of Korea ahead of the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018. As the Torch Tour begins its journey, we look forward to seeing the excitement build across the country as the countdown to Gangwon 2024 continues”.

Gangwon 2024 Organising Committee Co-President Jin Jong-oh expressed his excitement, saying: “While the flame we light together today is just the beginning, it will come to symbolise friendship, excellence and respect as it travels throughout the Republic of Korea. We take immense pride in the fact that the 'Journey of Solidarity' will engage and involve young people and inspire local communities, while also nurturing the growth of our aspiring athletes”.

The flame will now be travelling from Greece to the Republic of Korea, where it will arrive in Seoul on 8 October and be welcomed to the host nation by Gangwon 2024 Ambassadors and Youth Supporters.

On 11 October, a special celebration will be held in Seoul City Hall Plaza, marking 100 days to go to the YOG. The ceremony will see K-pop stars, who are yet to be announced, take to the stage to entertain fans, while athletes will also be in attendance to share their enthusiasm ahead of the YOG.

The Gangwon 2024 Torch Tour will then visit 23 cities and counties nationwide before reaching Gangwon Province.

Major metropolitan cities such as Busan, Sejong, Jeju and Gwanju will be included on the Torch Tour, which will also take in renowned sites around the country such as Mudeungsan National Park, the Sejong National Arboretum and the stunning Seongsan Ilchulbong, also known as “Sunrise Peak”.

The Torch Tour will, from 7 November, visit 18 cities within Gangwon, the host province of the YOG. It will be starting in Sokcho and pass through Goseong, Cheorwon, Samcheok, PyeongChang and Gangneung. The Youth Olympic flame will be welcomed by middle and high schools in each location to help further engage local youth.

As well as giving people across the country the unique opportunity to view the Youth Olympic flame, the Torch Tour aims to help build excitement ahead of the YOG, while also promoting the Olympic values and the importance of sport to young people throughout the country.

To celebrate these efforts, the Torch Tour’s slogan is “Journey of Solidarity”, underlining its goal of bringing people together to celebrate youth and the joy of sport.

In addition to the array of cultural performances and Olympic values education activities that are set to be held in each location, fans and local residents will also have the chance to meet Moongcho, the Gangwon 2024 mascot, and try out some of the sports on the YOG programme.

The Torch Tour will conclude on 19 January 2024, when the Youth Olympic flame reaches the Gangwon 2024 Opening Ceremony.

Approximately 1,900 athletes from around 81 National Olympic Committees are expected to take part in the YOG, which will come to a close on 1 February 2024.

Clean sweep for Italy at the World Championships: in Belgium the final and the Olympic pass for the Fate too

• ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS

Goal achieved also for the Italian women’s artistic gymnastics team at the Sportpaleisal in Antwerp (Belgium), venue of the 52nd World Championships. Following the men’s team, le Fate (the Fairies), coached by Enrico Casella, also successfully performed their task, winning both the pass for the final of the overall team competition and the pass for the Paris 2024 Olympics. For the first time since London 2012, therefore, Italy will be able to count on both artistic teams in the next edition of the Summer Games. Alice D’Amato, Elisa Iorio, Manila Esposito, Angela Andreoli and Arianna Belardelli finished the preliminary round with a score of 162.230 (VT 41.599, UB 40.099, BB 40.266, FX 40.266). Italy (photo Simone Ferraro/FGI), after having carried out their round of exercises yesterday, had to wait until the end of today to be able to celebrate this precious double achievement. Following the conclusion of all the divisions, the Italian women concluded the qualifying phase in fifth place, trailing the United States (171.395), Great Britain (166.130), China (165.663), and Brazil (164.297). Italy’s women will grace the stage once again in 48 hours. Already assured of securing one of the Olympic quotas reserved for the top nine teams, they will endeavour to launch an assault on the final eight. 

World Championships: men's national team soars into the final and secures return to the Games after 12 years

• ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS

Mission accomplished. At the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships held in Antwerp, Belgium, the Italian men’s national team overcame the qualifiers with the sixth best score, soaring into the finals and securing a pass for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This is a very significant result: the most recent presence of the Azzurri at the Games dates back to the 2012 edition, staged in London. Yumin Abbadini, Nicola Bartolini, Lorenzo Minh Casali, Matteo Levantesi and Mario Macchiati were the protagonists of the day: Italy (photo Simone Ferraro/FGI) scored a total of 248.796 at the end of the six rotations, enough to enter the showdown of the event alongside Japan (258.228), United States (254.628), Great Britain (254.193), Canada (249.260), Germany (248.862) and then Switzerland (248.192) and China (248.163). The final is scheduled for Tuesday 3 October, but as far as the Olympics are concerned, there is no doubt: Italy will be there in Paris 2024. 

Final meetings and inspections of facilities for the 22 Technical Directors. Mornati “An extremely interesting experience”

• ROAD TO PARIS 2024

The Italian Olympic delegation finished its visit to the facilities of the upcoming Paris 2024 Games. The final day began with a series of meetings at the headquarters of the Organising Committee of the forthcoming 2024 Olympic Games at the Pulse business centre on Rue Proudhon in the Saint-Denis district. The individual Technical Directors’ meetings were attended by the respective Committee Sport Managers of each sporting discipline.

CONI’s Chief of Mission and Secretary General Carlo Mornati and the Director of Olympic Preparation, Alessio Palombi, and his staff also met with the heads of the Organising Committee’s Functional Areas to delve into the aspects and needs of Italia team over the course of the Games.

An interesting tour to some competition sites took place in the afternoon, reaching the Stade de France and Porte de La Chapelle Arena where the Athletics, Gymnastics and Badminton competitions are scheduled respectively.

The Technical Directors were also able to fulfil any particular requests for individual visits to the other facilities not yet visited between yesterday and today to complete the logistical picture.

“It was an extremely interesting experience,” said Chief of Mission Mornati at the end of the two-day visit to the Olympic facilities, “the intense talks and analysis of the different needs were a very good taste of what awaits us over the coming days. These direct meetings with the Organising Committee – whom I thank on behalf of all participants – the visits to the accommodations and facilities, will allow the athletes of all disciplines to have the maximum assistance from the Italian mission within a tradition that has always seen CONI committed to encouraging participation under the banner of quality and competence.”

Participating in the visit of the Paris Facilities were: Antonio La Torre (TD Athletics), Cesare Butini (TD Swimming), Vincenzo De Luca (TD Sport Climbing), Lorenzo Pugliese (TD Badminton), Paola Porfiri (Team Manager - Rhythmic Gymnastics), Alberto Tappa (SG Italian Boxing Federation), Oscar Bertone (TD Diving), Carlo Silipo (CT Women’s Water Polo), Gianluca De Dominicis (TD International - Sports Dance), Stefano Cerioni (TD Fencing - Foil), Dario Chiadò (TD Fencing - Sword), Nicola Zanotti (DT Fencing - Sabre), Sante Spigarelli (President National Technical Commission - Archery), Laura Di Toma (TD Judo), Salvatore Avanzato (DT Wrestling), Oreste Perri (TD Canoe - Sprint), Francesco Iacobelli (Technical Sector - Canoe Slalom), Francesco Cattaneo (TD Rowing), Andrea Valentini (TD Modern Pentathlon), Roberto Amadio (Team Manager Cycling), Roberto Pentrella (SG Gymnastics Federation of Italy), Piero Capannini (Head of National Representatives - Skateboarding).

Italian Technical Directors’ tour gets underway. Visits and meetings at athletes’ village and main competition areas

• ROAD TO PARIS 2024

The Italian delegation led by CONI Chief of Mission and Secretary General Carlo Mornati has begun a tour of meetings and inspections in Paris ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games. Together with the 22 technical directors of as many Olympic disciplines and representatives of the Olympic Preparation, today saw the first stop at the Olympic village which will host Italian athletes. After an overview of the Master Plan, the group headed to the Palazzina Italia to view the accommodations and offices that will be made available to the Italian delegation.

Over the course of the day there were different visits. One group proceeded to La Défense Arena where swimming and water polo competitions will be held, while others reached Île-de-France to inspect the urban sports area and the facility where diving and artistic swimming competitions will be held.

The group that headed to Vaires-sur-Marne, meanwhile, visited the rowing and canoe sprint basin. Technicians of the cycling specialties went to the Saint-Quentin Velodrome and BMX Stadium, while at the Chateau de Versailles specialists in equestrian sports and modern pentathlon were able to inspect the conditions of the area.

The intense programme of work and visits also covered the splendid location of Casa Italia Paris 2024 at Le PreCatelan in Bois de Boulogne. With the presentation of the Paris 2024 Master Plan combined with the latest presentation updates of the Casa Italia Project. Tomorrow, more meetings and briefings are scheduled to explore specific issues and the needs of the different disciplines.

Present in Paris are: Antonio La Torre (TD Athletics), Cesare Butini (TD Swimming), Vincenzo De Luca (TD Sport Climbing), Lorenzo Pugliese (TD Badminton), Paola Porfiri (Team Manager - Rhythmic Gymnastics), Alberto Tappa (SG Italian Boxing Federation), Oscar Bertone (TD Diving), Carlo Silipo (CT Women’s Water Polo), Gianluca De Dominicis (TD International - Sports Dance), Stefano Cerioni (TD Fencing - Foil), Dario Chiadò (TD Fencing - Sword), Nicola Zanotti (DT Fencing - Sabre), Sante Spigarelli (President National Technical Commission - Archery), Laura Di Toma (TD Judo), Salvatore Avanzato (DT Wrestling), Oreste Perri (TD Canoe - Sprint), Francesco Iacobelli (Technical Sector - Canoe Slalom), Francesco Cattaneo (TD Rowing), Andrea Valentini (TD Modern Pentathlon), Roberto Amadio (Team Manager Cycling), Roberto Pentrella (SG Gymnastics Federation of Italy), Piero Capannini (Head of National Representatives - Skateboarding).

Trofeo CONI 2023: Lazio wins again, repeating last year’s triumph. Sicily and Apulia on the podium

• IN BASILICATA

Under the banner of sport, Lazio celebrated a win at the eighth edition of the Trofeo CONI, which concluded today in Nova Siri, Basilicata. In the most important multisport under-14 event in Italy, the young athletes of the Regional Committee led by Riccardo Viola replicated the triumph in last year’s edition, leaping to the top of the all-time standings with three overall victories (the 2014 and 2022 wins were already in the trophy cabinet) and edging away from Piedmont (2015 and 2018), Veneto (2016 and 2019) and Lombardy (2017).

But the Trofeo staged on the Ionian Coast of Basilicata was a very balanced one, won by Lazio with 116 points, ahead of Sicily (107) and Apulia (104) and with no fewer than three Regions on 103 points: Emilia Romagna fourth, Lombardy fifth and Piedmont sixth (ranking decided by individual placings).

In the closing ceremony, which began with a minute’s silence in memory of President Emeritus of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, the first to speak was CONI Basilicata President Leopoldo Desiderio. “It was a challenge,” he stressed. “We worked for 3-4 months, and it’s great to see these young people who put their hearts and souls into the event. I will always remember this Trofeo CONI, it remains in my heart. I say thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Representing CONI Nazionale was Vice President Claudia Giordani: “Enthusiasm, smiles, sportsmanship. President Malagò congratulates all of you,” she said, addressing the more than 4,000 young people who competed in the disciplines of 35 National Sports Federations and 7 Associated Sports Disciplines. “You were the protagonists of a wonderful edition of the Trofeo CONI, with so many participants and so many disciplines. Thank you to Basilicata, the Institutions, the Region and the municipalities that hosted us. We have visited enchanting places that are rich in history. Thanks to federations, bodies and associated disciplines. To the technicians, to all those who collaborated in the organisation, to the Regional Committee, to CONI and to all of you who are here today. You have had a full-fledged Olympic experience. Continue your commitment to sport and keep this experience in your hearts.”

Proclaiming the winning committee out of the 21 participants, as well as representatives of the Italian Communities Abroad from Brazil, Canada, the United States and Venezuela, was CONI Territory Department Director Cecilia D’Angelo. “The important thing is not winning – it’s taking part,” she stressed in her speech, “but this is a moment that is always highly anticipated by everyone.”

The winner was once again Lazio, but this eighth edition of the Trofeo CONI also proved to be a celebration of sports, under the banner of friendship. And while Basilicata bids farewell to the Trofeo and all its young participants, the expectations and the sights are already set on Veneto, host of the next edition.

Photo Simone Ferraro and Luca Pagliaricci

World Championship: Stefanie Horn and Giovanni De Gennaro qualify the two Italian K1s for Paris 2024

• CANOE SLALOM

Saturday’s competition at the Canoe Slalom World Championships brought Italia Team two more cards for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games.

Stefanie Horn and Giovanni De Gennaro held their nerve in the British Lee Valley Water Centre (London), winning the ticket to the ten-strong final as well as one of the fifteen Olympic quotas available per gender in K1.

The 2022 European champion (photo FICK) was flawless in the semi-final, posting seventh place with a time of 105.84. Later in the showdown, she collected two painful last-gasp penalties, having to settle for sixth place with 106.54. Gold went to Australia’s Jessica Fox (103.60 and 2 penalties), who finished ahead of Slovakia’s Eliska Mintalova (104.73 and 2 penalties) and Poland’s Klaudia Zwolinska (105.00).

A solid semi-final also for the Brescian, who snatched the pass for the final with the third best time (94.26), subsequently placing sixth (94.74), not close enough to be in the fray for the medals. These were shared by host Joseph Clarke (91.32), Czech Jiri Prskavec (93.26) and Moroccan Mathis Soudi (93.91).

For Italy came the third and fourth place national quotas after the two secured in men’s and women’s C1, by Paolo Ceccon and Marta Bertoncelli respectively. A heavy Olympic pass haul for Italian slalom athletes, a phenomenon that has not occurred since the London 2012 Games.

Mornati leads visit to the Olympic facilities and village for technicians from 22 disciplines

• ROAD TO PARIS 2024

Contacts with Paris are intensifying ahead of the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games. From 24-27 September, a delegation of technical commissioners from 22 Olympic disciplines together with the leadership of CONI’s Olympic Preparation, led by Head of Mission and Secretary General Carlo Mornati will visit the French capital to fine-tune logistics, training management and transportation in order to be able to offer the best conditions for athletes over the Olympic period.

Together with the heads of the Organising Committee, visits to the Olympic Village have been planned and then, divided into groups, the Technical Directors will carry out inspections in the different areas where the competition and training areas are concentrated. In addition to the visits to the areas and arenas that are now being finalised, a series of thematic meetings have been arranged with area managers of the Paris 2024 organisation to delve into various aspects and critical issues.

The visits and meetings are part of a broader programme of access to the Paris 2024 Games that will continue over the following months in close contact between the federal technical directorates and CONI’s Olympic Preparation offices, as was the case in previous editions.

Carlo Mornati with the Director of Olympic Preparation, Alessio Palombi, Director of Communication Danilo di Tommaso, Head of the Institute of Sports Medicine and Science, Giampiero Pastore and Head of Marketing, Lorenzo Pellicelli, will follow the visits and meetings with the following Technical Directors and Commissioners: Antonio La Torre (TD Athletics), Cesare Butini (TD Swimming), Vincenzo De Luca (TD Sport Climbing), Lorenzo Pugliese (TD Badminton), Paola Porfiri (Team Manager - Rhythmic Gymnastics), Alberto Tappa (SG Italian Boxing Federation), Oscar Bertone (TD Diving), Carlo Silipo (CT Women’s Water Polo), Gianluca De Dominicis (TD International - Sports Dance), Stefano Cerioni (TD Fencing - Foil), Dario Chiadò (TD Fencing - Sword), Nicola Zanotti ( TD Fencing - Sabre), Sante Spigarelli (President National Technical Commission - Archery), Laura Di Toma (TD Judo), Salvatore Avanzato (TD Wrestling), Oreste Perri (TD Canoe - Sprint), Francesco Iacobelli (Technical Sector - Canoe Slalom), Francesco Cattaneo (TD Rowing), Andrea Valentini (TD Modern Pentathlon), Roberto Amadio (Team Manager Cycling), Roberto Pentrella (SG Gymnastics Federation of Italy), Piero Capannini (Head of National Representatives - Skateboarding).

Farewell to Giorgio Napolitano, the “Collare d’Oro” President. Minute’s silence at sporting events

• CONI

Italian sport is in mourning. Giorgio Napolitano – for nine years President of the Republic (2006-2015) – the first in history to be twice re-elected, the only recipient of CONI’s Collar d’Oro for sporting merit (2016), and the last of our Heads of State to have attended the Opening Ceremony of an edition of the Olympic Games (London 2012), passed away today in Rome.

Born in Naples on June 29, 1925, Napolitano had a long political career in various institutions across the country. President of the Chamber of Deputies, Minister of the Interior, Member of the European Parliament, appointed Senator for Life by Ciampi, before his election as President of the Republic on 15 May, 2006 and subsequent re-election in 2013 until his resignation on 14 January, 2015.

During his tenure at the Quirinal his name became associated with numerous sporting events related to CONI and the Olympic world: a few days after his first election he flew to Berlin to witness Italy’s win in the football World Cup in the final against France. In 2008 he presented the Coppa Italia in football in the Olympic Stadium for the first time, allowing the trophy to be renamed the “President’s Cup”. Also in 2008, he entrusted the flag to Antonio Rossi for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. In 2009 he inaugurated the 2009 World Swimming Championships at the Stadio dei Marmi, participating in the Opening Ceremony. Later, in 2010, he handed the tricolour flag to Giorgio Di Centa for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games; also in 2010 he hosted a reception in the Quirinal Gardens to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Rome 1960, while in 2012 he delivered the flag to Valentina Vezzali for the London Olympic Games which he then attended, participating in the Opening Ceremony (accompanied by his son Giulio), with a visit the day before to the Olympic Village with the athletes (the last President of the Republic to do so). In 2014 he handed over the flag for the Sochi Winter Olympic Games to Armin Zoeggeler, and also in 2014 he was a guest at the Casa delle Armi at the Foro Italico for CONI’s 100th anniversary celebrations.

CONI President Giovanni Malagò, reflecting the sentiments of all Italian sport, on behalf of both CONI and himself, delivered the following message: “Today we mourn the passing of a great friend of sport. Giorgio Napolitano was a point of reference for us who unfailingly demonstrated his closeness and attention to us during the years he was at the Quirinal Palace. I remember him particularly at the CONI Centennial ceremony, where I had the honour of presenting him with the Collare d’Oro for sporting merit in the Salone d’Onore. Unforgettable moments of joy that we will always remember. In this moment of great sadness, I extend to his wife Clio and sons Giovanni and Giulio our deepest and most sincere feelings of condolence on behalf of Italian sport and myself.”

President Malagò invited the National Sports Federations, Associated Sports Disciplines and Sports Promotion Bodies to observe a minute’s silence at all sporting events taking place in Italy over the weekend to honour the memory of President Giorgio Napolitano.