Dakar 2026 unveils “Ayo” as official mascot on one-year-to-go mark
- YOG
One year before the opening ceremony, the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games present Ayo, the official mascot of the first five-ring event hosted by Africa.
Ayo is a young lion who symbolises the joy and energy of Senegalese youth. The name means “joy” in Yoruba – – and reflects the spirit of celebration and unity associated with the Games. Ayo wears a traditional Fulani Tingandé hat, representing wisdom, dignity and a connection to rural life, Ayo represents the values of Dakar 2026 and highlights the cultural heritage of Senegal as the host nation.
The mascot was unveiled by the YOG Organising Committee, during a special ceremony at the Grand Théâtre in Dakar as part of the celebrations to mark one year to go.
The unveiling was attended by the President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, alongside International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry; Humphrey Kayange, Chair of the IOC Coordination Commission for Dakar 2026; and Mamadou D. Ndiaye, President of the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee and the Senegalese Olympic Committee.
At the One-Year-to-Go ceremony in Dakar, IOC President Kirsty Coventry said: “These Games represent so much for Africa; they will inspire the next generation and open doors of opportunity across our continent and beyond”.
“Mascot Ayo carries a powerful message of joy and breaks many boundaries, a true symbol of how young and dynamic our continent is. Every day, new opportunities are opening up for Senegal’s youth, and these Games are making that happen. I can’t wait to be back here a year from now to celebrate together”.
The mascot was selected through a nationwide competition launched by the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee in collaboration with the Ministry of National Education. Open to middle and secondary school students, the competition received more than 500 entries from across all 16 academic inspectorates in Senegal. The initiative was aimed at promoting creativity among young people and strengthening their connection to the Games in the lead-up to the first Olympic event to be held on African soil.
In addition to the mascot launch, the “One Year to Go” celebrations will include the unveiling of the official countdown clock later today, at 6.30 p.m. local time, in the heart of the Senegalese capital by Worldwide Olympic Partner OMEGA.
Celebrations will continue in early November with the fourth and final edition of Dakar en Jeux, the annual cultural and sports festival that has become a central feature of the Dakar 2026 engagement programme. Taking place from 4 to 9 November across Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly, the festival will bring together local communities through sport, music and visual arts, while continuing to promote the Olympic values among young people across Senegal.
The Dakar 2026 YOG will take place from 31 October to 13 November 2026, bringing together 2,700 of the world’s best young athletes aged up to 17. The Games will be held across three host sites in Senegal: Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.
‘Road to Milano Cortina 2026, -100’: the figures leading up to the Games and the Casa Italia MUSA project unveiled. Buonfiglio: “We want to be protagonists”
- AT TRIENNALE MILANO
Inspiration, emotion, ambition. The timeless allure of the five rings casting its magic through the beauty and tradition of our country. The ‘100 days to go’ milestone before the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 – the fourth edition ever hosted in Italy – provided the opportunity to present the contents of a new chapter in sporting history.
At the “Road to Milano Cortina 2026 – 100 Days” event held at the Triennale Milano, CONI illustrated the activities, initiatives and projects developed in anticipation of the eagerly awaited event, while also revealing the main features shaping the concept of the hospitality house designed for the occasion.
The gathering – attended by officials, athletes, partners, media and other stakeholders – was opened by CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio, who said: “It’s a deeply moving moment, as I have the honour of representing Italian sport and experiencing this incredible journey towards the Games. I’m grateful to those who led the movement before me, mindful that athletes are at the heart of everything, supported by managers, coaches, doctors and many other professionals. I’m delighted that we are giving proper value to what has been achieved, as in this instance. CONI, the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation, the Government, Federations, and military sports groups are all working together in the name of one Nation. We are acting as a team, leaving nothing to chance, focusing on every detail and striving to crown a four-year cycle of effort. I’m certain we’ll witness a spectacular event and do our utmost to be successful protagonists. My thanks go to engineer Boeri for hosting us at the Triennale. Our sporting goal is to improve on the 17 podiums achieved in Beijing”.
CONI General Secretary and Chef de Mission Carlo Mornati provided an overview of the sporting scenario, highlighting the strengths and the health of the movement: “The Road to has been a tradition since 2016. We launch the claim and share the journey that is leading us to the Games, thanks to the invaluable work of all CONI assets – from the Olympic Preparation Centres to the Institute of Sports Medicine and Science, and the departments involved. Milano Cortina has a special charm; we truly feel like protagonists. For the first time, CONI has played a unique role: under President Malagò’s leadership, we’ve brought together multiple regions under one dual identity. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience. Compared to Beijing, we’ll have one more sport, with the number of events rising from 109 to 116, and with new mixed-gender events to further promote gender equality. We’ll compete in five clusters – Milan, Cortina, Anterselva, Valtellina and Val di Fiemme – iconic venues as outlined in the bid dossier. We come from Beijing, our second-best edition ever after Lillehammer, and we aim to improve our medal tally. Projections place us eighth, with one more medal than four years ago. Competitiveness has grown sharply in the last four years, as has the number of participating nations (+65% compared with Lillehammer 1994). The competitiveness of the Italia Team has increased by 240% compared to Vancouver 2010, with an Olympic Index up by 77% compared to 2012 in the Winter programme. We’ll be competing in every event except six, with over 200 athletes – our largest team ever. The numbers are very encouraging. There are many ways to assess a sporting movement, but we’re proud of the work done with the support of FISI, FISG and all the stakeholders involved. The real challenge is demographic decline: between 1992 and 2004, we lost 4.2 million potential athletes – a figure that deserves serious reflection for the future”.
Alessio Palombi, Head of Olympic Preparation, added: “It’s been a demanding four-year period. CONI has done its best to support the work of the Federations. The Olympic Preparation Centres have played a key role in optimising preparation and offering opportunities for physical and scientific testing. Compared with the previous cycle, there has been a 25% increase in the allocation of performance bonuses. Junior scholarships have also grown, helping to close the gap in the transition to the senior category, thanks in part to Olympic Solidarity. Many projects have supported athletes of Olympic interest, especially in technology and competition equipment – overall, nearly four million euros have been invested in Olympic preparation. In line with Paris, we’re confirming medal bonuses: €180,000 for gold, €90,000 for silver and €60,000 for bronze. Each cluster will have its own operational team, working autonomously. CONI’s structure will be efficient and essential in ensuring full representation for the Federations and their needs. For accommodation, we’ll make full use of the three Villages, also relying on nearby facilities depending on location. Transport operations will be centralised to manage transfers efficiently”.
Giampiero Pastore, Head of the Institute of Sports Medicine and Science, explained: “Medicine and Science work in close synergy with the Federations’ staff. A total of 319 medical examinations have been carried out on potential Olympians since CONI resumed control of the two areas. We’ll be present in all competition clusters with doctors and physiotherapists. The Sport Science department provides technical and scientific support – we’ve followed about 200 athletes who will compete in 10 of the 16 sports on the programme, through specific projects. Professionals will coordinate these activities during the Games as well. During the event, students from the second edition of CONI’s Olympic Management course will undertake their unforgettable internship”.
Following the technical presentation came the focus on hospitality.
Secretary General Carlo Mornati introduced the theme: “Casa Italia began in Los Angeles 1984. It has evolved over time into an hospitality house that accompanies the Italia Team and serves as a small media factory for sponsors and stakeholders, ensuring an unforgettable Olympic experience. The Triennale in Milan, Galleria Farsetti in Cortina and the Aquagranda venue in Livigno will showcase the best of Italy through the MUSA project. There will be many social and cultural moments enriching those special days”.
Lorenzo Pellicelli, Head of Marketing, provided further detail: “My thanks go to everyone present – athletes and partners supporting Casa Italia. The most important thing is that we’re self-funding through private support. We recently visited Los Angeles, the site of the first Casa Italia in 1984: today that place is still called Italy, a commercial hub that has kept its roots. Casa Italia creates value; we amplify the message that defines us. It’s a growth path that began in Rio 2016, building an identity that has become a heritage for CONI. It’s the gateway to discovering our country. This time, the paradigm is reversed: we’re the hosts. For the first time, Casa Italia will be open to the public – thanks to the Triennale for enabling this opportunity. The same will happen in Livigno, while Cortina will follow the traditional model due to space limits. We’ll be at the heart of the Games, proud to welcome anyone wanting to activate their projects in our setting, which will blend sport and culture. The theme will be MUSA – Italy that inspires the world: a journey through our excellence – from culture to art, cuisine and technology – culminating in the ‘station of sport’. Art and sport interact, as De Coubertin taught us. In Milan, thanks to the International Olympic Committee, we’ll stage an exhibition celebrating the Olympic spirit. The Galleria Farsetti in Cortina is a true gem – a lounge for sharing sport with its protagonists. With the support of the Municipality, we’ll make use of the outdoor areas, in a truly iconic location facing the Tofane. We don’t want to alter the site’s identity. Esselunga will be the driving force behind the food offer. Livigno will be the liveliest hub – a place for celebration and sharing the Games’ excitement with all nations. Medal celebrations will be held outdoors. Three sustainable Casa Italia venues, with an estimated 45,000 visitors, all interconnected and simultaneously sharing experiences”.
At the Triennale, attendees included ice dancers Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri – preparing for their fourth Olympic appearance – and members of the women’s ice hockey team led by Laura Fortino, dual citizen of Italy and Canada, and gold medallist at Sochi and silver medallist at PyeongChang 2018 with Team Canada.
The Italia Team aims to live another Olympic dream – wide awake.
Road to Milano Cortina 2026 Presentation
A 100 giorni dai Giochi il CONI traccia alla Triennale la "Road to Milano Cortina 2026"
The podiums of Milano Cortina 2026: symbols of design, inclusion and sustainability
- UNVEILED IN MILAN
There are exactly one hundred days to go until the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. During the event, Raffaella Paniè, Director of Brand Identity and Look of the Games at Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, and Fabio Coppola, Head of Olympics and Paralympics Italy at Procter & Gamble (P&G), unveiled the official podiums for Milano Cortina 2026.
Created by Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 in collaboration with the Cavaletti + Pagliariccio studio, the podiums combine contemporary design with Italian craftsmanship, embodying the identity of this edition through colour gradients and shades that highlight its dynamism and visual identity.
The project stands out for a number of key features, simplicity, modularity, uniqueness and dynamism, guiding principles that have inspired not only the design of the podiums, but the entire system of objects and sets created for the Victory Ceremonies. Crafted from wood and metal, the podiums are designed to adapt to different disciplines, both individual and team events, with the capacity to accommodate up to ten athletes per medal. They are fully accessible, featuring ramps and anti-fall curbs, to meet the needs of Paralympic athletes.
Furthermore, as part of the ‘Campioni Ogni Giorno’ (Champions Every Day) initiative, P&G, global sponsor of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Paralympic Committee (IPC), together with Esselunga and Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, will commit to giving the podiums a second life. At the end of Esselunga's Amici di Scuola e dello Sport (Friends of School and Sport) campaign, amateur sports clubs that promote inclusive sporting activities will be selected and assigned an official podium, with the aim of allocating at least one to each of the regions where Esselunga operates.
Institute of Sports Medicine and Science plays leading role at the 22nd National Congress of the Italian Society of Sports Cardiology
- IMSS CONI
The Institute of Sports Medicine and Science (IMSS) of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) took part in the 22nd National Congress of the Italian Society of Sports Cardiology (SIC Sport), held in Carpi from 9 to 11 October, reaffirming its standing as a key reference point for research and prevention in the fields of cardiology and sports medicine.
Invited by the outgoing President of SIC Sport, Professor Giampiero Patrizi, the Institute contributed to the scientific programme with a series of presentations on highly topical subjects, coordinated by Giampiero Pastore, Head of the IMSS.
During the congress, Dr Maria Rosaria Squeo, Medical Director of the Olympic Area, outlined the medical screening model applied to Olympic and Paralympic athletes, highlighting the functional assessment procedures adopted by CONI in preparation for major international competitions.
Dr Giuseppe Di Gioia presented a noteworthy clinical case concerning the management of an athlete in the build-up to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, stressing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach integrating sports medicine, cardiology and performance science.
Dr Federica Mango presented the results of a study on training-induced ventricular arrhythmias and cardiac remodelling in elite athletes — a research project soon to be published in an international scientific journal, offering new insights into the understanding of cardiac adaptation to high-level exercise.
Later, Professor Viviana Maestrini explored the latest cardiac MRI techniques and their application in the clinical assessment of athletes, providing an overview of increasingly precise diagnostic tools available to sports cardiologists.
Completing the Institute’s contribution, Professor Antonio Pelliccia chaired a session comparing pre-participation screening models in Italy and the United Kingdom, fostering an international debate on methodologies, protocols and safety standards for competitive sport.
The participation of the Institute of Sports Medicine and Science of CONI in the Carpi Congress marked a significant moment of scientific exchange and professional development, confirming the Institute’s ongoing commitment to promoting health, prevention, and performance among Italian athletes.
Mattarella pays tribute to Italy’s volleyball world champions: “The nation is grateful to you”
- AT THE QUIRINALE
The Italian men’s and women’s national volleyball teams were received this afternoon at the Quirinale Palace by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, to celebrate their triumphs at the 2025 World Championships. Among those present were the Minister for Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi; the President of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), Luciano Buonfiglio, together with General Secretary Carlo Mornati; the President of the Italian Volleyball Federation, Giuseppe Manfredi; head coaches Ferdinando De Giorgi and Julio Velasco; and all the world-champion players.
Team captain Anna Danesi and vice-captain Simone Anzani presented the Head of State with the two national team shirts, a signed volleyball, the two gold medals and a tie (photo: Ferdinando Mezzelani/CONI).
“You have been truly extraordinary. The whole country followed you and is grateful,” said President Mattarella, visibly moved. “The finals were thrilling. I wish to thank the two coaches, Velasco and De Giorgi, whose calm advice during the most heated moments was admirable. I applauded Velasco the other day when he criticised my generation—and the next—for always judging young people: I completely agree. A remarkable generation is emerging. One of your greatest rewards is having inspired so many young people to take up sport. That is a valuable contribution to our nation and adds meaning to your victories”.
“In just one hundred days, this is the third time I’ve been here at the Quirinale,” observed Buonfiglio. “The emotion never changes. If it’s not a record, it’s very close to one—and we will keep working to come back again. Volleyball has achieved something extraordinary for Italian sport; it is a model to study. I feel both the duty and the pleasure of saluting our two coaches—their task has not been easy. Thank you, President Mattarella, for your attention and affection. We know how passionately you follow major sporting events; we consider you one of us. We’ll make sure the Italian anthem continues to play in winter, just as it did in summer”.
“Thank you, Mr President, for welcoming us,” said Manfredi. “These two teams have written an indelible page in the history of Italian sport. Their results fill us with pride and are the outcome of collective work. Volleyball is the sport of families, a healthy movement that grows in school gyms and provincial clubs. We have a duty to help it grow further. Success is not measured only in medals, but in what we leave to future generations. Children must have the opportunity to discover the beauty of volleyball—and of sport in general”.
“At a time when divisions are widespread, sport can help foster a democratic culture—one that accepts differing ideas and embraces diversity,” explained Velasco. “Our women’s national team is a model to admire: it brings together players from many different backgrounds—from Nigeria to Ivory Coast, Germany to Russia—and they manage to win together without giving up their individual identities”.
“You, Mr President, are our motivator,” said De Giorgi, addressing Mattarella. “You give us our first push. These players aren’t perfect, but they’re special because they include everyone, leaving no one behind, and they’ve formed a united team. This is a historic day. This victory reflects the immense value of our Italy and the moral strength of our national side”.
In her remarks, Anna Danesi recalled “the figures that tell our story—36 consecutive victories. But numbers don’t say everything,” stressed the Italian captain. “They don’t tell of the injuries, the sacrifices, the farewells, the long waits: that’s where victories are built. We are a group united in our diversity—and that is our greatest achievement”.
“Thank you for choosing to celebrate our victories,” said Simone Anzani to the Head of State. “It’s never easy to repeat success, yet we’ve managed it. This victory is proof of what can be achieved through unity and a spirit of sacrifice”.
Mattarella riceve Nazionali volley femminile e maschile vincitrici dei Mondiali
Buonfiglio and Mornati meet IOC President in Lausanne: “Reaffirmed CONI’s central role, now we await Coventry in Rome”
- CONI
The President of CONI, Luciano Buonfiglio, met this afternoon in Lausanne with the President of the International Olympic Committee, Kirsty Coventry. Buonfiglio was accompanied by General Secretary Carlo Mornati, while IOC Honour Member Francesco Ricci Bitti also attended the meeting.
During the talks (photo credit: Greg Martin/IOC), which lasted around an hour, several sporting matters were addressed, beginning with the forthcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games. Buonfiglio and Coventry reflected on their recent exchanges with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, with both expressing great satisfaction with the dialogue. Discussion also focused on the governance of the 2028 Youth Olympic Games in Dolomiti Valtellina, as well as CONI’s development programmes for the Olympic cycle leading up to Los Angeles 2028.
Coventry welcomed the fact that both the CONI President and Secretary General are former Olympians (Mornati also won a silver medal at Sydney 2000, the edition where Coventry made her debut as a 17-year-old). She presented both men with the “Olympian” certificate, personally signed by her, and voiced appreciation for the continuity of CONI’s operational structure, remarking: “We have always worked well together and built a strong understanding”.
Buonfiglio and Mornati extended an invitation to the IOC President to visit Rome, where she will be hosted at CONI’s Olympic Preparation Centre “Giulio Onesti” and at Casa Italia during Milano Cortina 2026.
Earlier in the day, CONI’s leadership also held operational meetings with James McLeod, Director of the IOC’s NOC Relations Department, who also oversees Olympic Solidarity and the Olympism365 project, joined by Jerome Poivey and Nils Holmegaard.
Commenting after the meeting, Buonfiglio said: “I am very pleased with this day at the IOC headquarters. You can truly breathe the Olympic spirit here. This visit had been scheduled for some time, dating back to August when our agendas aligned. President Coventry struck me as determined and motivated. We reaffirmed to her CONI’s central role in sports policy and in relations with the Government. On Milano Cortina 2026 she has clear ideas and appreciates the financial commitment made by the Italian Executive. I look forward to welcoming her to Rome by the end of the year so that we can return the hospitality at our Olympic Preparation Centre – a facility admired and praised worldwide”.
Mornati added: “We are in constant contact with the IOC offices. Dialogue with James McLeod and his team is always steady. We have important projects to pursue with the IOC in the coming months. We are truly grateful for the way we were welcomed. CONI has always been a point of reference for the Olympic Movement, and today we received further confirmation of this”.
Buonfiglio e Mornati a Losanna, incontro con vertici CIO
Lombardy shines in Lignano Sabbiadoro, claims tenth edition of Trofeo CONI
- FOR THE SECOND TIME
Lombardy has emerged as the winner of the tenth edition of the Trofeo CONI, which concluded today in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Friuli Venezia Giulia. Under the leadership of Marco Riva, CONI Lombardia topped the standings with 116 points, ahead of Piedmont (111) and Apulia (110).
The Olympic Region of Lombardy – host of the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games – returns to victory in Italy’s most important multi-sport event for under-14 athletes, eight years on from its last triumph in Senigallia (2017).
Not even the bad weather could spoil the celebration for the record-breaking 4,600 participants, who gathered in Friuli Venezia Giulia to compete across 44 sports.
As a result, the party shifted from Lignano’s golden beach to the Bella Italia Village Sports Hall, which hosted much of the competition. The winning Committee was announced by CONI’s Head of Territorial Affairs, Cecilia D’Angelo, on stage alongside Andrea Marcon, President of CONI Friuli Venezia Giulia and organiser of the “mini Olympics”, returning to Lignano a decade after the last edition.
“I have the great fortune of knowing how to choose my collaborators, and they were outstanding in ensuring the success of the event. I will carry your smiles with me: you are wonderful, and I am glad you will go home happy after this extraordinary experience” said President Marcon.
Mayor Laura Giorgi added: “We were ready, this was a true team effort – from CONI to local and regional institutions, as well as the volunteers and the entire organisational machine. I know you all worked hard and diligently, making things easier. I hope this is an edition you will carry in your hearts”.
Cecilia D’Angelo also expressed gratitude: “Thank you to everyone, and thank you to Friuli Venezia Giulia for hosting us. Everything was perfect – congratulations to President Marcon and his staff for allowing us to enjoy three fantastic days. I hope some of you will one day climb an Olympic podium, hear the Italian anthem, and watch the tricolour fly. This must be a journey of growth, without forgetting that fun is the essence of sport – it means sharing and reciprocity. Thank you to my colleagues, the volunteers, and all those who contributed to the success of this event”.
The Fair Play Awards, dedicated to the memory of sports administrator Gianni Gallo, were presented by Olympic fencing champion Mara Navarria: “The male award goes to Riccardo Turbino, an archer from Emilia Romagna, who showed great teamwork, stepping in for his teammate by lending her his bow. For the first time, the female award is given not to an individual but to a team – the women’s rugby squad from Tuscany, who embody the spirit of sport by giving their all in any circumstance”. (photo credit: Simone Ferraro & Roberto Di Tondo/CONI)
The Summer Trofeo CONI – which had been officially opened by CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio at Stadio Teghil on Sunday evening – closes with an extremely positive balance sheet: record numbers of participants, record viewership for the opening ceremony broadcast on Italia Team TV, and record smiles from the boys and girls who came from across Italy and Italian communities abroad in Argentina, Australia, Brazil and Venezuela. Thanks to the “Tourism of Roots” project supported by the PNRR, these young athletes also had the chance to discover Friuli Venezia Giulia through cultural and territorial visits, reinforcing ties with their origins.
The 2025 edition also stood out as the most sustainable in the event’s history, thanks to measures aligned with the UN 2030 Agenda, in line with the biennial protocol signed between CONI and the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security.
A great celebration of sport and values – faithful to the identity that has defined this multidisciplinary youth festival since 2014. A chance to dream, to enjoy, and to imagine a future under the spell of the Olympic Rings.
Cerimonia di chiusura Trofeo CONI 2025
President Buonfiglio received by Prime Minister Meloni. President of the Council invited to the 2025 Collari d'Oro ceremony
- AT PALAZZO CHIGI
This morning at Palazzo Chigi, the President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, received CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio in the presence of the Minister for Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi. This was the first meeting since Buonfiglio’s election on 26 June. During the discussion, conducted in a very cordial atmosphere, several current topics were addressed, including the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan Cortina, the 2026 Mediterranean Games in Taranto and the 2028 Youth Olympic Games in Dolomiti-Valtellina.
Buonfiglio also presented to President Meloni the guiding principles of his programme for the next four years for CONI, emphasising the broadest possible collaboration with the Government and the Ministries. Finally, Buonfiglio invited the President of the Council to the Collari d'Oro ceremony scheduled for 3 November in Rome at the Casa delle Armi at the Foro Italico, during which the 2025 World Champions of all Olympic and Paralympic disciplines will be honoured.
Buonfiglio ricevuto dal Presidente del Consiglio Giorgia Meloni
The President Buonfiglio met with the CIE delegates and took part in the conference of Presidents of CONI’s Regional Committees
- AT LIGNANO SABBIADORO
Today, CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio met with the delegates of the Italian Communities Abroad (CIE) and with the Presidents of the Regional Committees, who had gathered in Lignano Sabbiadoro for the tenth edition of the CONI Summer Trophy, which begins this evening.
This year too, among the 4,600 participants there will be young athletes from Italian communities in Argentina, Australia, Brazil and Venezuela. In Italy, thanks to the “Tourism of Roots” project, supported by the PNRR, the youngsters will have the opportunity to discover Friuli Venezia Giulia, strengthening their ties to their origins through a programme of cultural and territorial visits. The delegates present include Pablo Hugo Squillari (Argentina), Francesco Giacobbe (Australia), Alfredo Apicella (Brazil), Mico Licastro (United States), and Nello Collevecchio (Venezuela).
Afterwards, President Buonfiglio took part in the Conference of the Presidents of CONI’s Regional Committees, to address various issues related to the Committee’s regional infrastructure.
During the meeting, topics of broad interest were discussed, with the aim of developing the organisation’s programme guidelines on the territory in a harmonious and effective manner. The President opened the session by emphasising the value of ongoing dialogues with institutional representatives of the Executive and with the leadership of Sport e Salute, with a view to a synergistic collaboration aimed at recognising and protecting the role and know-how of CONI, safeguarding and enhancing its identity through the commitment guaranteed by its various local branches.
Buonfiglio, together with Marco Riva (member of the board and President of the Lombardy Regional Committee) and Cecilia D’Angelo (Territory Director), reiterated the importance of establishing a permanent working group to examine the various issues affecting the Committees.
It was also emphasised that the offices of the provincial CONI Committees, which are fundamental for the development of promotional strategies, will be preserved, thereby valuing the widespread presence of these structures. During the debate, the various roles in school-based projects were discussed, reaffirming the worth of the CONI Trophy model, pending evaluation of future prospects in light of the Youth Games.
Attention was also given to sporting infrastructure, to staffing and requalification of the personnel, and finally to the crucial role played by the Committees in seeking future sponsorship and in training, through regional sports schools.
At the close of the meeting, President Buonfiglio underscored the importance of dialogue. “I am proud to have participated in the Conference of the Presidents of CONI’s Regional Committees. We are engaging with a very positive situation, which will see us working together with Sport e Salute to find the best solutions for the territory, with the aim of giving due dignity to the image of CONI and of Sport e Salute. This is not a journey that will be completed soon, but that is the goal”.
Il Presidente Buonfiglio incontra a Lignano i delegati CIE e i Presidenti dei CONI Regionali
President Mattarella congratulates Italy’s Billie Jean King Cup winners
- TENNIS
Italian President Sergio Mattarella contacted CONI chief Luciano Buonfiglio to pass on his congratulations to the women’s national tennis team after their second consecutive Triumph in the Billie Jean King Cup.
“Congratulations and best wishes to the athletes for this prestigious success,” the Head of State said.
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