Italy receives the Olympic Cup for its support of Milano Cortina 2026. President Mattarella and the Government awarded the Olympic Order

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  • FROM THE IOC

The Italian people have received the IOC Olympic Cup for the contribution made to the success of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. The prestigious award was presented today at the Quirinale Palace by International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry to the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, who received it on behalf of the entire country. Mattarella arranged for the Olympic Cup to be entrusted to the custody of CONI, represented on the occasion by President Luciano Buonfiglio and General Secretary Carlo Mornati, who were present alongside the President of the Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee and IOC Member Giovanni Malagò and Chief Executive Officer Andrea Varnier. The Olympic Cup recognises the passion, expertise, generosity and hospitality shown by Italy and the host territories during the Games (photo: Presidency of the Republic).

During the ceremony, the Head of State was also awarded the Olympic Order for the support he gave to the Games and for his presence at the most significant moments of the event, from the Opening Ceremony at San Siro to the competition days in which he cheered on the athletes of the Italia Team. The day at the Quirinale followed yesterday’s meetings at Palazzo Chigi, where President Coventry had awarded the Olympic Order to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and a number of representatives of the Italian Government, in recognition of the contribution made to the staging of Milano Cortina 2026. The Olympic Order was also awarded to Matteo Salvini, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport; Andrea Abodi, Minister for Sport and Youth; Giancarlo Giorgetti, Minister of Economy and Finance; Fabio Massimo Saldini, Government Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of Società Infrastrutture Milano Cortina 2026; and Giuseppe Fasiol, Extraordinary Commissioner for the organisation and staging of the Paralympic Games.

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Cocciaretto receives the Collare d’Oro from Buonfiglio and Mornati: “I will carry the emotions of these weeks with me forever”

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  • CONI

Elisabetta Cocciaretto was welcomed for the first time to Palazzo H, CONI’s headquarters, by President Luciano Buonfiglio and General Secretary Carlo Mornati for the presentation of the Collare d’Oro for sporting merit.

The Italian tennis player was one of the key figures in the outstanding triumph at the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup, a success that also saw her and her team-mates received by the President of the Republic at the Quirinale on Monday 4 May.

“These days in Rome have left me with so many emotions,” said the world No. 41, who was accompanied by her coach Fabio Scolari and FITP Federal Councillor Graziano Risi. “Going to the Quirinale, playing three evening matches at the Foro Italico and receiving the Collare d’Oro is incredible. And I had never been to CONI before. I will carry the emotions of these weeks with me forever. I am extremely happy and satisfied”.

“Being alongside athletes and being able to present them with an award that represents the highest honour in Italian sport gives us enormous gratification. Young people like Elisabetta are an example both on the court and in the way they conduct themselves” said CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio.

Buonfiglio and Mornati present Palma d’Oro for technical merit to Simone Tartarini, coach of Lorenzo Musetti

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  • CONI

CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio and General Secretary Carlo Mornati this morning presented the Palma d’Oro for technical merit to Simone Tartarini, coach of Lorenzo Musetti.

The tennis player has been coached by the La Spezia-born trainer since he was eight years old: at the start of 2026, he climbed as high as fifth in the world rankings. Musetti was part of the Italian team that won the Davis Cup in 2023 and 2024 and, among other achievements, claimed Olympic bronze at the Paris 2024 Games.

Buonfiglio and Mornati congratulated Tartarini, wishing him every success in guiding Musetti towards new and prestigious competitive milestones.

Mattarella welcomes Italy’s Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup champions: “Italian tennis a global force”

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  • AT THE QUIRINALE

Inside the Salone delle Feste at the Quirinale, President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella received Italy’s women’s national tennis team, winners in 2025 of a second consecutive Billie Jean King Cup, and the men’s national team, who last year triumphed for the third straight season in the Davis Cup.

The side captained by Tathiana Garbin and featuring Jasmine Paolini, Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Sara Errani, Lucia Bronzetti and Tyra Grant secured in September in Shenzhen (China) the sixth title in Italy’s history in the premier women’s team competition. Meanwhile, Flavio Cobolli, Matteo Berrettini, Lorenzo Sonego, Andrea Vavassori and Simone Bolelli, led by captain Filippo Volandri, prevailed in Bologna in November to deliver Italy’s fourth Davis Cup title.

Present at the Quirinale (photo Mattia Martegani/CONI), alongside the athletes, captains and staff of both teams, were CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio, Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi, Sport e Salute President Marco Mezzaroma, Sport e Salute CEO Diego Nepi Molineris, Italian Tennis and Padel Federation President Angelo Binaghi, ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi, the federation’s leadership and the entire federal council.

“Mr President of the Republic, as always thank you for the attention and affection you show towards Italian sport,” said CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio. “Once again we stand before you to celebrate the successes and emotions of another winning sport that is filling Italian homes with passion and glory. I refer to tennis, which in recent years has become one of the leading disciplines in Italian sport. The men’s team, after nearly 50 years without success, has managed to win the Davis Cup – the world team championship – three times in a row. Likewise, the women’s team repeated its triumph a few months ago, backing up the previous year’s success. A men’s and women’s double, achieved in consecutive years, is nothing short of extraordinary. No European nation had ever managed it; only two Anglo-Saxon countries had done so: Australia in 1964 and 1965, and the United States twice between the late Seventies and early Eighties. In practical terms, it had not happened in the past half-century. That is the measure of the greatness of this double success we celebrate with you today. It is the second year in succession that Italian tennis has dominated the world in the two most prestigious team competitions. An unprecedented double that fills us with pride. These are outstanding athletes who honour the Azzurri shirt and are proud to defend the honour of our country. They are led by two non-playing captains of the highest calibre, Tathiana Garbin and Filippo Volandri, envied around the world. And the world also envies the protagonists who raised our beloved Tricolore on the podium and twice, in Bologna and Shenzhen, played the Italian national anthem. I think of Jasmine Paolini, Sara Errani, Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Lucia Bronzetti and Tyra Grant in the final in China, as well as Flavio Cobolli, Matteo Berrettini, Lorenzo Sonego, Andrea Vavassori and Simone Bolelli in the Bologna final against Spain. But as you know well, and as I often repeat on these occasions, behind these young women and men there is an organisational system that works. Credit must go to the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation, to its President Angelo Binaghi, to the federal council and to all those working within the structure for having, over the years, shaped the federation like a true company, with sporting, economic and financial results for all to see. Today the federation is a management model, an example not only nationally but also one that attracts attention and interest internationally. The Internazionali d’Italia in Rome are about to get under way, with enormous public anticipation. In the past you have honoured us with your presence. We know how busy your schedule is, but should you find the time, Italian sport would be delighted to welcome you to the enchanting setting of the Foro Italico. Thank you, Mr President, for this unforgettable morning. This is the Italy that wins, the Italy that conveys positive messages, the Italy that honours our flag. These are the sisters and brothers of Italy. Thank you again, Mr President – long live Italy, long live Italian sport”.

Angelo Binaghi then took the floor: “Being invited to the Quirinale to celebrate the triumphs of our girls and boys is the greatest possible satisfaction for us. It represents the pinnacle of our journey and makes us feel we have fully done our duty and represented our nation in the best possible way. Above all, thank you for waiting for us, for allowing these players to complete their respective schedules so they could prepare in the best way and be here together today. We took it as a gesture of great sensitivity towards us. We have won the last five world team championships – something extraordinary. And these last two victories were genuine feats, against the odds, as our ATP President Andrea Gaudenzi can testify. They were victories built by our two captains, Tathiana Garbin and Filippo Volandri, who succeeded in combining the charisma, class and experience of top players such as Jasmine Paolini and Matteo Berrettini with the exuberance and grit of our best emerging talents like Flavio Cobolli and Elisabetta Cocciaretto. These were such clear-cut victories that there was not even the need to field two of the strongest pairs in the world, Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini, and Andrea Vavassori and Simone Bolelli, allowing us to rest reigning world champions such as Lorenzo Sonego and Lucia Bronzetti, along with our great prospect Tyra Grant. Today we look ahead: the Internazionali BNL d’Italia begin now. We still vividly remember Jasmine’s splendid victory last year, made even more significant by your presence, which allowed us to feel the affection and support of all Italians. This year we also dream of a men’s singles title, which has eluded us for 50 years. I have done my utmost over these 25 years but have not succeeded; you, Mr President, came once and achieved the impossible with Jasmine. I believe it is worth drawing the appropriate conclusions… We await you with open arms. I believe our movement must not stop here. We must share with the Government the opportunity that Italian tennis represents today for our country, in economic, social and reputational terms. We must persist, create the conditions for the growth of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, which are a national asset. We owe it to these boys and girls, to their families, to their teams, and to the 29 million Italians who follow their exploits with passion. We must capitalise on the value and opportunity created by their victories to leave our country an even greater tournament that will generate even more wealth for many years to come,” concluded the FITP President.

Elisabetta Cocciaretto then spoke: “It is an honour to nurture this dream every day and to represent Italy. Every time we wear the Azzurri shirt we are filled with pride. There is a strong sense of belonging, sharing and pride. Winning together under the Tricolore gives us national pride; with the team it is something special. We are Italian in every corner of the world and we want to be an example for all the girls who dream as we do. Mr President, your guidance is a reference point and this result is a small contribution to Italy.” She was echoed by Flavio Cobolli: “When we play the Davis Cup we are not alone – there is a team and an entire country behind us. That makes the difference. I thank my team-mates: we are a strong and united group, even when results do not come. The captain has guided us with humanity and openness, and the Federation has provided the tools to get us here. We will give everything to return here and celebrate ‘your’ Davis Cup again”.

In closing, Sergio Mattarella – who, before his speech, was presented by the players with scaled-down replicas of the Billie Jean King Cup and the Davis Cup – said: “The Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup victories represent an unimaginable result. It shows that the first success was not a one-off, but part of a process that has made Italian tennis a global force. We now look ahead to the Internazionali in Rome and to Roland Garros, and I expect to see them there thanks to your invitation. I would not wish to appear a talisman, as I am not at all, but the quality of our players – women and men – allows us to approach these tournaments with renewed and consolidated confidence. Being successful athletes and role models for fans carries responsibility, and you consistently set an example of seriousness, especially for the younger generations. This reflection allows me to recall Alex Zanardi, a person of great human depth, capable of inspiring young people. I believe I speak for everyone in saying that Zanardi is a figure who not only evokes affection and admiration but also a future of gratitude: these are the figures who illuminate our sport and give meaning to the importance of sport in society,” concluded the Head of State.

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200 days to go until Dakar 2026, the first Olympic event in Africa

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  • YOG

There are exactly 200 days to go until the start of Dakar 2026. As this historic Olympic moment approaches – marking the first edition of the Games to be held on the African continent – discover the facts, figures and must-know information about the upcoming edition of the Youth Olympic Games.

The fourth edition of the Summer Youth Olympic Games will take place in Dakar, Senegal, bringing together the world’s best young athletes for the first Olympic sporting event on African soil. Senegal’s sporting culture and tradition are deeply rooted in its history and its people, particularly among young people.

The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games will enable 2,700 athletes aged 17 and under to compete. The opportunity to participate in the upcoming Youth Olympic Games is open to the territories of the 206 National Olympic Committees and, for the first time, to an Olympic team composed of young refugees.

Gender equality at Dakar 2026 goes beyond the number of male and female athletes. For the first time in the history of the Summer Youth Olympic Games, there will also be an equal number of events for each gender. The Dakar 2026 programme features a total of 153 events: 73 women’s events, 73 men’s events and 7 mixed events.

Dakar 2026 has unveiled an official slogan that highlights African hospitality and the festive spirit of the Senegalese capital. It is available in two languages: “L’Afrique accueille, Dakar célèbre” in French and “Afrig Dalal, Ndakaaru Jëmël” in Wolof (“Africa welcomes, Dakar celebrates”). 

This official slogan is rich in symbolism, as it alone evokes the unique character of this edition of the Youth Olympic Games. Senegal is the first African country to host an Olympic event, which has prompted the Dakar 2026 organising committee to emphasise that these Games belong not just to one country, but to an entire continent.

Several international stars are backing the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, an event that will showcase the future stars of international sport. A number of highly prestigious official ambassadors have already been appointed. 

These include Kalidou Koulibaly, captain of the Senegal men’s national football team, as well as famous figures from outside the world of sport, such as the actor Omar Sy and the influencer Khaby Lame.

 

Programme for the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games – List of 25 competitive sports

Athletics

Coastal rowing

Badminton

Baseball5

3x3 basketball

Beach handball

Beach volleyball

Boxing 

Breaking

Road cycling 

Fencing 

Futsal

Artistic gymnastics 

Judo

Beach wrestling 

Swimming 

Rugby sevens

Skateboarding

Equestrian sports 

Taekwondo

Table tennis

Archery 

Triathlon

Sailing

Wushu

 

Programme for the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games – List of 10 sports

Canoe-kayak

Sport climbing 

Golf

Weightlifting 

Hockey

Karate

Modern pentathlon

Surfing

Tennis

Shooting

 

The 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games will be held in three cities: the capital, Dakar; the new city of Diamniadio; and Saly, on the coast. Here is the full list of venues selected to host the competitions.

Dakar

Iba Mar Diop Complex 

Tour de l'Oeuf Complex

Corniche Ouest

 

Diamniadio

Equestrian Centre 

Dakar Arena

Abdoulaye Wade Stadium

Dakar Exhibition Centre

 

Saly

Saly Ouest Beach

Olympic and Paralympic athletes of Milano Cortina 2026 received at Palazzo Chigi by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

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  • WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES

The Italy Team’s intense two-day programme of institutional engagements concluded at Palazzo Chigi. The day after the return of the Tricolour to the Head of State at the Quirinale and the celebratory evening at Casina Valadier, the Olympic and Paralympic athletes who starred at Milano Cortina 2026 — fresh from their morning audience with Pope Leo XIV — were received by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Also present at the meeting (photo Andrea Masini/CONI), among others, were CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio, CIP President Marco Giunio De Sanctis, CONI Secretary General and Italy Team Chef de Mission Carlo Mornati, Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation President Giovanni Malagò, Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi, and Federation Presidents Flavio Roda (FISI) and Andrea Gios (FISG).

Meloni was presented by Buonfiglio with a flag signed by the athletes, while the CIP President gifted her the Paralympic Games torch. In turn, the Prime Minister presented the athletes with commemorative cases containing the Tricolour and medals.

Earlier in the morning, a delegation of the Italy Team had met Senate President Ignazio La Russa during the event “Sport and Peace”, organised by Senator Giusy Versace in the Sala Zuccari of Palazzo Giustiniani.

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Pope Leo XIV receives the stars of Milano Cortina 2026 in audience: “Athletes are witnesses to an honest and beautiful way of inhabiting the world”

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  • AT THE APOSTOLIC PALACE

The day after the return of the Tricolour to the President of the Republic at the Quirinale and the celebratory evening at Casina Valadier, Italy’s Olympic and Paralympic medallists and fourth-place finishers from the Milano Cortina 2026 Games were received in audience by Pope Leo XIV in the Sala Clementina, on the second loggia of the Apostolic Palace (photo Andrea Masini/CONI).

In attendance, alongside the athletes, were CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio, CONI Secretary General and Italy Team Chef de Mission Carlo Mornati, President of the Lombardy Region Attilio Fontana, President of the Veneto Regional Council Luca Zaia, Mayor of Milan Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of Verona Damiano Tommasi, President of the Autonomous Province of Trento Maurizio Fugatti, IOC honorary members Manuela Di Centa, Franco Carraro and Mario Pescante, the leadership of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation headed by President Giovanni Malagò, the ex officio members of the CONI National Council (federation presidents), numerous members of the Executive Board, and the presidents of the CONI athletes’ and coaches’ commissions.

“Holy Father, on behalf of the Italian National Olympic Committee and the entire Italian sporting movement, I would like to express our most sincere gratitude for welcoming us today and for the constant attention you devote to the world of sport,” said CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio. “Your words represent for us a precious guide: a constant reminder of the most authentic values of sport, such as respect, solidarity, sacrifice and a sense of community. These are values that go far beyond competition and contribute to shaping better women and men. Our athletes, in addition to winning and making us proud, strive every day to share your message in concrete terms, not only in competition but also in daily life, becoming positive examples especially for younger generations. Holy Father, we thank you for your support and for the moral strength you transmit to our movement. We will continue to uphold these principles with responsibility and pride, so that sport may always be an instrument of growth, inclusion and peace. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts”.

CIP President Marco Giunio De Sanctis then addressed the Pope: “Your Holiness, we have had the pleasure, the honour and the privilege of personally knowing your predecessors Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. However, I believe this represents a unique, historic and unrepeatable occasion, because it has brought together before you the entire Olympic and Paralympic sporting universe. It is a great moment. I know that you are a man of sport and that you are close to our world, just as our movement is close to the Catholic Church. We share values that are inherent to Christian principles, from loyalty to fair play through to inclusion, regardless of race, traditions or background. Our task is to welcome and engage with everyone in a spirit of fairness, both during competition and beyond it, without neglecting what the Church has promoted for millennia. Particularly in the Paralympic world, differences must no longer exist and we must throw open the doors to respect, integration and full inclusion, not in words but in deeds. All these great athletes gathered here today, who have brought honour to our country, dedicate their medals to you so that each of us may become a better citizen and truly believe in the values that the Church has upheld for so long”.

“I welcome you with joy following the conclusion of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games, which spread throughout the world, alongside competitions of the highest level, a noble human, cultural and spiritual message,” said Pope Leo XIV. “Thank you for what you have borne witness to. Sport, when authentically lived, is not merely performance, but a form of language, a narrative made up of gestures, effort, waiting, falls and new beginnings. During the Games we saw not only bodies in motion, but stories — stories of sacrifice, discipline and perseverance. In particular, in Paralympic competitions we observed how limitation can become a place of revelation, not something that hinders the person, but something that can be transformed, even transfigured into a defining quality. You athletes have become biographies that inspire countless people. Secondly, your cohesion reminds us that no one wins alone, because behind every victory many are involved: from families to teams, through countless days of training, pressure and solitude. It is often precisely in these moments that God reveals Himself. Sport contributes to the development of our character, it requires a noble spirituality and represents a fruitful form of education. Through sport one learns to know one’s body without idolising it, to govern emotions, to compete without losing a sense of fraternity, to accept defeat without despair and victory without arrogance. By training the mind together with the body, sport is authentic when it remains human — when it remains faithful to its original vocation: to be a school of life and of talent. A school in which one learns that true success is measured by the quality of relationships, not by the number of prizes, but by mutual respect and the shared joy of the game. This is the ‘life in abundance’ spoken of in the Gospel: a life full of meaning, where physicality and interiority find harmony. That is why I chose this Gospel expression as the title of the letter I wrote at the start of the Games: Life in Abundance. In the present time, so marked by polarisation, rivalry and conflicts that lead to devastating wars, your commitment takes on even greater value. Sport can and must truly become a space for encounter, not a display of strength but an exercise in relationships. During these Games I wished to recall the value of the Olympic Truce: through your presence you made this possibility of peace visible as a prophecy that is anything but rhetorical. To break the logic of violence in order to promote that of encounter. At the same time, we are well aware that sport also carries temptations: that of performance at any cost, which can lead to doping; that of profit, which turns play into a market and the athlete into a celebrity; that of spectacle, which reduces the athlete to an image or a number. Against these distortions, your testimony is essential. Dear athletes, you have been witnesses to an honest and beautiful way of inhabiting the world. You convey the idea that one can compete without hatred, win without humiliating, lose without losing oneself. This applies beyond sport, in social life, in politics and in relations between peoples, because sport, when lived well, becomes a laboratory of reconciled humanity, where diversity is not a threat but a richness. In an era of major climate challenges, these Games also remind us of the link between sport and nature and of our duty to care for our common home. Today, in this hall, we look to the Cross of athletes — the Olympic and Paralympic cross — which from the London 2012 Games to Milano Cortina 2026 gathers the prayers, expectations, hopes, fears and sufferings of women and men of all ages who share their sporting experiences. Before this supreme and essential example of dedication, we renew the desire to give our best, together, in every activity. Dear athletes, I thank you all for your commitment and I pray that Jesus Christ, the true athlete of God, may inspire each of you to ever more virtuous challenges and grant you the strength to face them with passion. As I accompany you with my blessing, I entrust you with a mission: to ensure that the person remains at the centre of sport in all its expressions. My best wishes to you all”.

The Pope, who received as gifts the Olympic and Paralympic tracksuits and the two torches, then greeted each of those present individually.

At the end of the audience, Giampaolo Mattei, President of Athletica Vaticana, and Bishop Paul Tighe, Secretary of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, accompanied a delegation including Federico Pellegrino, Federica Brignone, Michela Moioli, Francesca Lollobrigida, Arianna Fontana, Davide Ghiotto and several Paralympic athletes to the nearby Santa Marta Paediatric Dispensary to meet families with young children. In addition to providing basic necessities, the Dispensary offers around 500 families — almost all foreign and without access to healthcare — free specialist medical visits (for children and mothers) with doctors from the ‘Bambino Gesù’ Children’s Hospital, the ‘Gemelli’ Polyclinic and other institutions. The athletes were welcomed by Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín, the new Papal Almoner and Prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, recently appointed by Pope Leo XIV.

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The Milano Cortina 2026 Tricolour returned, Mattarella: “An unforgettable chapter of emotions and success”

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  • AT THE QUIRINALE

The unforgettable journey of Milano Cortina 2026 concluded at the Quirinale. The Salone dei Corazzieri hosted the ceremony during which the Tricolour was returned to President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella by Olympic and Paralympic medallists, as well as fourth-place finishers at the record-breaking Winter Games of the Italy Team (photo Andrea Masini/CONI).

Present, alongside the athletes led by Olympic flag bearers Federica Brignone, Arianna Fontana, Amos Mosaner and Federico Pellegrino, and Paralympic flag bearers Chiara Mazzel and René De Silvestro, were Federico Mollicone, President of the Chamber’s Culture, Science and Education Committee, and the leaders of Italian sport: Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi, CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio, CIP President Marco Giunio De Sanctis, Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation President Giovanni Malagò, CONI General Secretary and Italy Team Chef de Mission Carlo Mornati, CONI Vice Presidents Diana Bianchedi (Deputy) and Marco Di Paola, Federation Presidents Flavio Roda (FISI) and Andrea Gios (FISG), as well as several coaches who played a key role in the successes of Milano Cortina 2026.

At the home Olympic Winter Games — the third in Italy’s history after Cortina 1956 and Turin 2006 — the Italy Team won thirty medals (10 gold, 6 silver and 14 bronze). These figures surpass those of Lillehammer 1994, which had held the national record for podium finishes (20) and gold medals (seven) for 32 years. With the largest Italian Winter delegation ever (196 athletes, including 103 men and 93 women), the Italy Team won medals in ten different disciplines (alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, curling, figure skating, freestyle, luge, short track, snowboard and speed skating), just one fewer than the all-time record set by the United States at PyeongChang 2018. Numerous individual records were also achieved, foremost among them that of Arianna Fontana, who, with gold in the mixed relay and silver medals in the 500 metres and the women’s relay in short track, surpassed the Italian all-time Olympic medal record (14), previously held by fencing legend Edoardo Mangiarotti (13). It was the best possible way to honour the commitment of hosting the Games, earning applause from around the world for a comprehensive triumph on snow, ice and in organisation.

“Mr President, to begin with the word ‘thank you’ is a necessary tribute of deep and sincere admiration for the closeness you have shown us during these unforgettable and historic Olympic Games of Milano Cortina 2026,” said CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio after the Italian national anthem. “But this time, ‘thank you’ is not enough. I say it straight away: I am moved. Today’s occasion is not like the other audiences you have granted us in the past. This is a meeting with a special flavour, filled with joy and glory. This is not rhetoric: we made Italy fall in love, we made our country proud of these athletes, but also of their coaches, their officials, their federations, represented here by Presidents Flavio Roda and Andrea Gios. We were united, symbolically covering the entire nation that followed us day after day with an immense Tricolour. Television audience figures confirm that Italians were literally and enthusiastically swept up by our successes, cheering and celebrating with us. The thirty medals we won, beyond representing a record in our Winter Olympic history, are a wonderful necklace studded with precious gems and a fitting tribute to our Republic in the year in which its 80th anniversary is celebrated”.

He continued: “Milano Cortina was my first Olympic Games as President of CONI, and I can assure you it was not easy to control the emotions our champions gave us. If we add that I had the privilege of experiencing some of these memorable victories by your side, I believe there are no words to describe the happiness and fulfilment of such unique and unrepeatable moments. Mr President, you have always been our guiding light, our reference point, our non-playing captain, but at these Games your presence alongside us on many welcome occasions, together with Mrs Laura, was the greatest motivational force our athletes could have received. No one will ever forget your visits to the Olympic Villages in Milan and Cortina, your presence at Casa Italia, your lunches with the team, your decision to wear the Italy uniform to attend competitions, your meetings with athletes, and your words of wisdom and encouragement. You were one of us. We felt you as one of us. The Olympic world understood that you are one of us. Believe me, Mr President, this is not flattery: the ‘Sergio, Sergio’ chant at San Siro was the most sublime moment that impressed the international Olympic world like no other before. That is why, together with Chef de Mission and General Secretary Carlo Mornati, we renew our gratitude. You gave us the energy that helped make this fourth Italian Olympics magical and memorable. Judgements have been unanimous: we excelled in organisation — and I renew my congratulations to Foundation President Giovanni Malagò — we excelled on snow and ice, and we excelled in our conduct in competition and towards those watching us, because this group of young men and women here today at the Quirinale, in the House of Italians, has been an example for all, both competitively and behaviourally. Even those who narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth, felt — thanks to your kind invitation — as important as those who won medals. And speaking of medals, I conclude with a brief historical note. We won 30 medals: 10 gold, 6 silver and 14 bronze. 10-6-14. They may seem like ordinary numbers, but for CONI they represent a fundamental date: the day our organisation was founded, 10 June 1914. Perhaps it is coincidence, perhaps destiny, but this numerical alignment will also remain etched in the history of this wonderful, spectacular and extraordinary Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games. Thank you again, Mr President. Long live Italy, long live sport”.

“We won the challenge of making one of the most important monuments in the history of humanity, the Arena di Verona, the venue for the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games, accessible to all disabilities, including the most severe,” said CIP President Marco Giunio De Sanctis. “It was a dream fulfilled, a demonstration of the country’s remarkable growth. The results of the Olympic and Paralympic Games are a source of pride for Italy, an incredible leap forward. The organisational machine was flawless. On the eve of the Paralympic Games there was tension because of the delicate geopolitical situation, but the athletes were exceptional. They fought, they handled enormous pressure and went on to achieve incredible results. Thank you, Mr President, for the closeness you showed us on this occasion as well. I hope that, thanks to this extraordinary edition, the doors to respect and full inclusion may open for both in and beyond sport”.

Then Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi said: “This splendid ceremony gives us the opportunity to express openly to you, Mr President, our gratitude for all that you do for the Italian people and for the world of sport. We are honoured by the way you athletes represented Italy. By handing over the flags, the President entrusted you with the feelings of the Italian people. The joy brought by your results touched our hearts. We are grateful to everyone who contributed to the staging of an extraordinary event with extraordinary results. Alone, one neither wins nor rises again in difficult moments. These were memorable Olympic and Paralympic Games. Other countries told us so. We succeeded in making prevail the shared determination to let our country shine. We will ensure that your example as athletes inspires our daily actions”.

At that point President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella received the Tricolour from the flag bearers of the Milan opening ceremony, Arianna Fontana and Federico Pellegrino, from the flag bearers of the Cortina ceremony, Federica Brignone and Amos Mosaner, and from those of the Paralympic ceremony in Verona, Chiara Mazzel and René De Silvestro.

Arianna Fontana remarked: “I thank the President of the Republic on behalf of all the athletes, those present and those not here today. It is always a great honour to represent the Tricolour. You made this Olympics special. You were the symbol of all Italians and gave us many gestures we will never forget. You made us feel part of your family. I will never forget when you telephoned me to share the joy of a medal. You were always ready to support us and give us your time. It was something incredible. When we wear the Tricolour, we feel united beyond the mere result of a competition. I thank all Italians and Italy”. Federico Pellegrino added: “I fulfilled a dream thanks to my legs and to those who helped make them perform until 2026. It came true in a unique emotional way: walking into San Siro and searching for your gaze, Mr President, was something immense. Thanks also to my team-mates, to all the Italian athletes who made us leap with excitement while cheering during the Games. I feel immensely proud to be Italian”. Then Amos Mosaner said: “Mr President, I thank you for the honour of having been a flag bearer, a unique emotion. It was a truly thrilling Olympics, and the public supported us from start to finish. Thirty medals are a historic record. Athletes and staff worked superbly. We hope we have made many Italians fall in love with sport, because sport unites and sport is life”. And finally Federica Brignone: “For me it was a slightly different journey. In December I had said that my presence was far from certain. I managed to achieve something I would never have expected. The honour of carrying the flag at the opening ceremony gave me a lift, the motivation for an impossible challenge. It was wonderful. We lived through incredible emotions that we will remember forever”.

Following the speeches by Chiara Mazzel and René De Silvestro, Luciano Buonfiglio and Marco Giunio De Sanctis presented the President of the Republic with the cases containing replicas of the Olympic and Paralympic gold, silver and bronze medals.

President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella then spoke before presenting a medal to each athlete in attendance: “It is a real pleasure to welcome you and to receive from the standard-bearers the flags to which you have given such prestige. These Games wrote an unforgettable chapter of emotions and success. The Games were a source of pride for our country. From a sporting perspective, the medal tables are full. The numerical sequence highlighted by President Buonfiglio is meaningful, a coincidence of great historical significance. Beyond the medals, I had the good fortune to be present for the setting of several records that testify to the high quality of our sporting movement. Many inspiring personal stories moved us, stories that are of public interest and a source of attraction and example for young people. It was also a success in organisational terms, thanks to the hospitality offered by the complex machinery that supported so many parallel events. You conveyed to every continent the image of an Italy of great efficiency. Everything went well. Against all scepticism. But the beauty and importance of sport go beyond the sporting event and athletic gestures. Sport is culture, expression and a projection of society. Our effective organisation and our gratifying results offered the world our friendship, our capacity for hospitality, our respect for others, our ability to build networks of social connection. We live in difficult times overshadowed by serious threats and bloody wars. The culture that sport conveys is very different. It is significant that it fell to Italy and to Europe to serve as the showcase for a manifestation of friendship and humanity. Sporting values prevailed. The fourth-place finishers represent all those who took part in the Games, and that is why they are here. My thanks, therefore, go to the organisers, the coaches, and all those who accompanied, assisted and trained the athletes. Welcome back with our flag, to which you have brought honour. Thank you”.

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Diplomas awarded for the second ‘Franco Chimenti’ Olympic Management Course, Buonfiglio: “We invest in education to remain successful”

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  • AT THE ‘GIULIO ONESTI’ CPO

The second edition of the ‘Franco Chimenti’ Olympic Management Course, organised by the CONI Olympic Specialisation School, has come to a close. The Aula Magna of the CONI Olympic Training Centre ‘Giulio Onesti’ in Rome hosted the diploma ceremony for twenty graduates, including six Olympic athletes and former Olympians: Caterina Banti (sailing), Claudia Cesarini (modern pentathlon), Francesca Gallina (snowboard), Riccardo De Luca (modern pentathlon), Simone Gonin (curling) and Lorenzo Bacci (shooting). The aim is to develop cutting-edge, highly qualified professionals capable of contributing to the success of sport and the Olympic team.

The 300-hour course, divided into nine modules and requiring full attendance and residential participation, took place from May to October 2025 at the ‘Giulio Onesti’ Olympic Training Centre. It provided an in-depth understanding of the Olympic System at both national and international level, with a focus on the management of CONI and other sporting institutions. The training programme aimed to enhance understanding of sport, Olympic values and regulations for people of all abilities and disabilities, while also strengthening expertise in legal matters, finance, marketing, innovation, management and contract law.

The programme also included an internship: participants were integrated into the CONI Olympic Delegation at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, with roles individually assigned by CONI General Secretary and Italia Team Chef de Mission, Carlo Mornati.

“The first time I came here was in the Seventies, when I had to undergo medical examinations for the Olympic Games,” said CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio, a former Olympic canoeist, following an introduction by Giampiero Pastore, Director of the CONI Institute of Sports Medicine and Science. “What strikes me immediately is the professionalism and the desire to improve, which is the essence of the five rings. We are people who have developed a working method that is now spreading across all Federations. The School of Sport has produced generations of coaches and executives. In my time, after the Games, I realised the disastrous condition of our administrators in relation to the human talent they had at their disposal. As a former athlete, I decided to challenge that, to demand more. And to become professionally competent. Because without competence you are fragile. Athletes must see us as builders of certainty, capable of creating synergies that produce results. Behind every person who practises sport there is a story of personal improvement. We are destined to win so that people talk about us and young people listen to the values we try to convey. We are proud of the work you have done and increasingly convinced that we must continue to invest in education. This is how we will remain successful. I am proud to represent Italian sport, made up of people who give everything to grow”.

CONI General Secretary Carlo Mornati added: “It is wonderful that the diploma ceremony is taking place while the women’s national rugby team is training just a few metres away, our divers are in the pool, and alongside us is the CONI Institute of Sports Medicine and Science. We have defined the framework within which we must operate.” Addressing the students, he continued: “You contributed to the greatest Italian success in the history of the Winter Olympic Games by taking part in Milano Cortina 2026. It has been a very fruitful course, fully aligned with our objectives. I am particularly proud of what CONI is doing. The results are there to see: our goal remains to raise the level of professionalism in our sporting world. This course is a major investment in sport. We hope you will soon be able to put into practice what you have learned. In sport, practice is fundamental”.

Also speaking was Angelo Maria Petroni, Scientific Director of the Olympic Specialisation School: “We wanted to create a professional school, not an academic one. People come here already equipped with solid basic knowledge and then learn how to manage, how to act. Sport is passion, sport is reason. Knowledge has expanded enormously in the modern world, and lifelong learning is essential. All professions require continuous learning. Through this school, a community for managing Italian sport has been created. Knowledge can become outdated, methods do not. We hope you have acquired a learning method that will serve you in the future and that we will continue to nurture”.

Gabriella Palmieri Sandulli, President of the CONI Sports Guarantee Board, added: “I was struck by the multidisciplinary nature of the course. We shared our knowledge with a practical approach, combining theory with real-world application. And proximity to athletes is extremely important: you are representatives of values that are also essential at a social level”.

In closing, Carlo Nardello, Consultant for the Olympic Training Project, retraced the students’ journey, involving Danilo di Tommaso (Head of Ceremonial, Communication and Media Relations at CONI), Pietro Parenti (Course Student Coordinator) and Rita Sicoli (a constant point of reference for students at the ‘Giulio Onesti’ Centre throughout the course), up to the final qualifying examination for Olympic Sports Manager.

The third edition of the Olympic Management Course will take place from 19 October 2026 to 12 February 2027. (agc)

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The European Games program has been approved: 26 sports present with Los Angeles 2028 in the sights

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  • ISTANBUL 2027

The European Olympic Committees (EOC) Executive Committee has approved the sports programme for the 4th European Games Istanbul 2027, further strengthening the event’s role on Europe’s pathway to the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028. The programme, approved on 13 March during the EOC Executive Committee meeting, has been developed in close cooperation with the Istanbul 2027 Organising Committee and the respective International and European Federations.

A total of 26 sports and disciplines will feature at the 4th European Games, including 22 Olympic sports aligned with the LA28 Olympic programme. The European Games will offer extensive Olympic qualification opportunities through both direct quota places and Olympic ranking systems. The inclusion of all sports and disciplines remains subject to the conclusion of agreements with the respective federations, in accordance with the EOC standard contract.

Rowing (beach sprint), weightlifting and squash will make their European Games debut in Istanbul, with beach sprint and squash set to feature at the Olympic Games for the first time at LA28. Gymnastics, volleyball and wrestling return to the programme following their absence from Kraków-Małopolska 2023.

EOC Coordination Commission Chair, Mihai Covaliu, said: "Istanbul 2027 will be a key milestone on the road to Los Angeles 2028. With 26 sports, including 22 Olympic disciplines, and significant qualification opportunities, the Games will provide Europe’s athletes with a high-level platform to perform and qualify for the Olympic Games. The programme reflects our strong cooperation with the International and European Federations and our shared ambition to deliver an outstanding edition of the European Games". Istanbul 2027 CEO Prof. Dr. Veli Ozan Çakır said: "The European Games Istanbul 2027 will showcase the strength and diversity of European sport. In close collaboration with the EOC and the Federations, we have developed a programme that reflects both sporting excellence and the vision of our city. We look forward to welcoming athletes and fans from across Europe to Istanbul in 2027". Further details on competition venues will be announced in due course.

4th EUROPEAN GAMES ISTANBUL 2027 | LIST OF SPORTS

•    3x3 Basketball
•    Aquatics
•    Archery
•    Athletics (European Team Championships)
•    Badminton
•    Boxing
•    Canoe Sprint
•    Fencing
•    Gymnastics
•    Judo
•    Karate
•    Kickboxing
•    Modern Pentathlon
•    Muaythai
•    Padel
•    Rowing (Beach Sprint)
•    Rugby 7s
•    Shooting
•    Sport Climbing
•    Squash
•    Table Tennis
•    Taekwondo
•    Triathlon
•    Volleyball
•    Weightlifting
•    Wrestling

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