Giorgio Armani dresses the Italian Team for the Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang2018
- OFFICIAL OUTFITTER
EA7 Emporio Armani will be the official outfitter of the 2018 Italian Olympic and Paralympic teams for the Winter Games in Pyeongchang. This is a continuation of the collaboration between Giorgio Armani, CONI and the Paralympic Committee, which began at the London 2012 Games and continued at the Winter Games in Sochi in 2014 and the 2016 Games in Rio.
The athletes will wear sportswear by EA7 in their free time and on official occasions for the duration of the event. The kit delivered to each athlete is a modular wardrobe that includes a technical-fabric ski tracksuit and mantle, a long down coat, a polo fleece shirt, a blue and white T-shirt with tricolour pattern, a jumper, warm cotton trousers and a seamless cotton layering set. Accessories complete the look: gloves, a hat, a scarf, trial waterproof shoes with anti-slip grip in high-top and low-top versions, a luggage trolley, a gym bag, a boot backpack and a messenger bag.
The sportswear comes in elegant, signature midnight blue with Italian-flag-colour details and features the EA7 logo. The ski tracksuit for the podium stands out with its sleek, active look; the technical fabric is made with cutting-edge, high performance materials that meet the highest quality standards.
The sense of pride and belonging, which is key to this design project, is expressed in a discreet but incisive manner: inside the jackets and sweatshirts, the first verse of the Italian national anthem is printed in gold script, while the polo shirts feature the same words, printed on the blue webbing visible when the collar is turned up.
CONI, CIP and Toyota team up for the launch of "Start Your Impossible"vvvv
- BORN AMBASSADOR TEAM
The President of CONI, Giovanni Malagò, this morning took part, in the showroom of Toyota Italia, in the Italian launch of the corporate initiative “Start Your Impossible”, Toyota’s first global campaign, widespread throughout the world and inspired to the partnership with the Committees of the next Olympic and Paralympic Games, which marks the start of a new course for the brand which wants to establish itself, more and more, as the Mobility brand: an overall mobility operator.
In fact Toyota is committed to offering the integrated use of vehicles, advanced technology, innovation and robotics, the best possible mobility for everyone. Toyota believes in the realisation of a completely sustainable society where everyone is able to overcome their own limitations, using mobility systems that are not limited to motor vehicles and that allow free movement, without obstacles, be they social or physical. “Start Your Impossible” is precisely the theme of this campaign: a new path, a new way to face up to challenges and overcome one’s own limitations, a courageous but essential change. Today Toyota is a brand committed to ensuring freedom of movement for everyone, with the purpose of ensuring the best living conditions for everyone, including those affected by more or less significant disabilities.
Through the values of sport, it promotes a society free from discrimination, where everyone can face up to their own challenges and, as the first Olympic and Paralympic Games “Mobility Partner”, it aims to offer new generation mobility services, transport solutions and advanced technologies to the service of people, also within the home.
In line with the spirit of Start Your Impossible, an Ambassador Team was selected in Italy: the Toyota Team, formed by Italian athletes in the various Olympic and Paralympic disciplines such as: Bebe Vio (Fencing), Ivan Zaytsev (Volley), Arianna Fontana (Short Track Skating, Italian standard bearer at the next Olympic Games in PyeongChang in 2018), Paolo Lorenzi (Tennis), Andrea Pusateri (Paracycling), Filippo Tortu (Sprinter), Anna Cappellini/Luca Lanotte (Figure Skating), Para Hockey Club Torino Tori Seduti (Paralympic Ice Hockey), Gabriele Detti (Swimming).
These athletes best embody the Toyota values, the application of the Kaizen spirit linked to continuous challenge, overcoming of one’s own limits, respect of people and team work.
“Toyota’s history has always been about passion, courage and innovation to make the impossible possible – declared Andrea Carlucci – Toyota Motor Italia’s Chief Executive Officer - We started with distant challenges: in 1997, when the Prius hybrid was first introduced, nobody thought we would achieve the results we have achieved today. We never pulled back and, bravely, we set always greater objectives for ourselves. We continued with hydrogen and in 2014 we created Mirai, our series saloon powered by this resource. Today, with Start Your Impossible, Toyota reaches a fundamental target: again we state our being a true Mobility brand that spreads the concept of mobility incorporating motor vehicles, technology, innovation, artificial intelligence and robotics to be put at the service of people, also with disabilities, to improve their quality of life.
The work carried forward at national level with CONI and CIP, and the choice of a Toyota team, represents the confirmation of the existence of shared intentions, based on elements such as the continuous improvement that for us represents a fundamental value to guarantee what our president, Akio Toyoda, referred to as “Ever Better Mobility for all”.
"The car has taught me much - Mr Malagò declared -. If I am now the President of CONI, in fact, it is because my family company received a return from cars. Over the years I have worked with almost all car brands, even if at the time we were not able to find an agreement with Toyota. After a few years I can state that we were both right because Toyota wanted someone who could dedicate their time to their project full time and we, on the other hand, were too busy with other brands. But I have always considered Toyota as something different, it has the ability to anticipate choices that are often risky but the results are undeniable. We are absolutely talking about the brand with the highest production and the greatest number of sales. We are proud to be here. Toyota Motori Italian have given us their trust until 2024: it is an extremely important declaration and they will be proved right. I must thank the CIO because it was truly because of the International Olympic Committee that we are here. In fact, we are an expression of that international partnership but if we had not had our own appeal this all Italian connection would not have taken place. Here, today, are my two worlds: cars and sport, a magic combination, an historic occasion, also a personal one, which will bring luck to the CIP, to CONI and above all to Toyota Motor Italia".
“I want to thank Toyota Italia and Andrea Carlucci for the extraordinary opportunity offered to the Italian Paralympic Committee and, more generally, to Italian sport. - Luca Pancalli, CIP’s President, stated - I believe that like nothing before, the campaign claim, “Start your impossible”, perfectly matches the personality of everyone of our Paralympic athletes, always looking for new challenges and limits often believed to be insurmountable. They challenge the impossible every day. It is made of elements such as determination, sacrifice, an almost obsessive search for new targets, all pervaded by the research for new and better performing technologies, to be the transferred to the service of everyone. To know that there are partners which have adopted the same principles as the characteristics of their lives, is for them and for all of us a further motivation for growth, not only from a sport point of view, but also in terms of developing the concept of inclusion that is part of the DNA of all of us”.
Italy’s Men make history: the team beat Denmark in Pilsen and qualify for PyeongChang
- CURLING
Italy’s Curling Team make history and fly to PyeongChang. The National Men’s team, trained by Soren Gran and featuring Joel Retornaz (skip, Sporting Club Pinerolo), Amos Mosaner (third, Aeronautica Militare), Simone Gonin (second, Sporting Club Pinerolo), Daniele Ferrazza (lead, Curling Cembra) and Andrea Pilzer (alternate, Curling Cembra), defeated Denmark 6-5 in the play-offs at the Olympic qualifying tournament in Pilsen (Czech Republic), booking their place at the Games due to be held in February in South Korea.
It is the first time since the sport was added to the Olympic programme (Nagano, 1998), not including the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin when participation by organiser Italy was guaranteed.
Victory came in the final minutes of a thrilling challenge: from 1-0 to 1-1 after two ends, 3-1 to 3-3 after four, then two blank ends, and in the seventh, another Danish lead. Italy did not respond immediately, with the eighth shot a miss, but went on to score two points in the ninth end, resulting in 5-4 to Italy. They equalised in the tenth end, leading to the extra end: Mosaner, with the last legendary stone, turned the dream into reality.
Euro 2020 opening match at the Olympic stadium in Rome. Malagò: UEFA’s choice is a significant sign
- CONI
Thirty years after the final of the World Championship of 1990, Rome will again host a symbolic match in international football: the opening match of the 2020 European Football Championship. It is a historic occasion, on the 60th anniversary of the continental tournament which will involve 12 European cities. The official announcement was issued today in Nyon after the meeting of the executive committee. Four matches will be played in total, including one of the quarter finals, while London, in addition to the semi-final and the final, will host the four matches that should have been played in Brussels, because of the impossibility of respecting the terms and conditions imposed for the delivery of the new stadium in time for the tournament.
The candidature for the opening match was already included in the file presented by the Italian Football Federation in April 2014. The President of CONI, Giovanni Malagò, commented proudly on the decision by UEFA: “The Olympic stadium in Rome will have the honour of hosting Euro 2020’s opening match. EUFA’s choice is a significant sign for the stadium and Italian sport generally.”
The pairing of matches to tournament locations, only for the groups Phase, took place during the meeting. Each of the qualifying teams will play at least two matches at home. This is the outline:
Group A) Rome and Baku
Group B) St. Petersburg and Copenhagen
Group C) Amsterdam and Bucharest
Group D) London and Glasgow
Group E) Bilbao and Dublin
Group F) Munich and Budapest
Manuela di Centa Helps to Launch New Series "Legends Live On" from the Olympic Channel
- IN ROME
Beyond the spotlight of the Olympic Games where legends are made, their legacy lives on. In the new Olympic Channel original series, Legends Live On, Olympic heroes show how they are translating their success into careers and inspiring future generations.
Legends Live On premieres today, Friday, 1 December on the Olympic Channel global digital platform, and is available at olympicchannel.com and on its mobile apps. The 10-episode series was produced exclusively for the Olympic Channel by New Moon out of London.
In conjunction with the worldwide digital launch of Legends Live On, a premiere screening took place today in Rome featuring Manuela di Centa, the Italian cross-country skiing legend and honorary IOC Member. The event was hosted by the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) at their headquarters to an audience of journalists, local dignitaries and sports influencers as well as her family and coaches.
“I’m convinced that everyone should follow their hearts on their own path, and that drawing on this inner strength can help push you to reach success,” said di Centa, a seven-time Olympic medallist who uses her impressive medal collection to help inspire youth through education. “As a role model, especially to young women in today’s society, it is important to encourage youth to follow their passions to achieve their personal goals. I hope that sharing my story will help to inspire others to keep pushing towards their dreams.”
Following her record-setting career, which saw her compete in five consecutive Winter Olympic Games and the only athlete to achieve five medals at the 1994 Lillehammer Games, di Centa went back to University where she earned a Master’s degree in International Relations and Politics. In addition to her post-athletic career she set her sights on other physical challenges and in 2003 became the first Italian woman to climb Mt. Everest.
In addition to di Centa, Olympic legends featured in the series includes swimmer Ian Thorpe (AUS), who now brings messages of hope to remote communities; beach volleyball player Jackie Silva’s (BRA) efforts to help trouble youth through sports; how Katarina Witt (GER) has translated her ice skating success to helping others; and snowboarder Shaun White (USA), whose superstardom has led to a career in fashion and music and who is looking to compete at the upcoming Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018.
Olympic Channel Schedule: Legends Live On
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Date |
Title |
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1 Dec. 2017 |
Episode 1 – Legends Live On: Michael Johnson (USA) |
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Episode 2 – Legends Live On: Manuela di Centa (ITA) |
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Episode 3 – Legends Live On: Jackie Silva (BRA) |
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Episode 4 – Legends Live On: Aleksandr Karelin (RUS) |
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8 Dec. 2017 |
Episode 5 – Legends Live On: Nadia Comaneci (ROU) |
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Episode 6 – Legends Live On: Ian Thorpe (AUS) |
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Episode 7 – Legends Live On: Haile Gebrselassise (ETH) |
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5 Jan. 2018 |
Episode 8 – Legends Live On: Clara Hughes (CAN) |
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12 Jan. 2018 |
Episode 9 – Legends Live On: Katarina Witt (GER) |
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19 Jan. 2018 |
Episode 10 – Legends Live On: Shaun White (USA) |
*Schedule Subject to Change
Manuela Di Centa leggenda vivente per l'Olympic Channel
Janez Kocijančič elected President of the European Olympic Committees, Raffaele Pagnozzi Secretary General
- NIELS NYGAARD VICE PRESIDENT
Janez Kocijančič has been elected permanent President of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) by acclamation to replace Patrick Hickey today. Kocijančič, the 76-year-old Slovenian who has served as acting President since August 2016, was uncontested for the position at the body's General Assembly here.Niels Nygaard of Denmark was elected vice-president after securing 27 of 50 possible votes in a two-horse race. Italy's Raffaele Pagnozzi and Kikis Lazarides of Cyprus were also both elected unopposed for the respective secretary general and treasurer roles.
IOC launches Olympic Brand Campaign “Become the Light”
- IOC PARTNERS WITH UNHCR TO BRING SOLAR POWERED LIGHTING SOLUTIONS TO REFUGEE CAMPS
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has launched a new integrated brand campaign, “Become The Light”, that aims to promote the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect.
The campaign uses “light” as the symbolic representation of the Olympic values. Through a series of public service announcements, the campaign demonstrates how the inspirational achievements of athletes and the Olympic spirit can motivate people around the world to “Become The Light” and act as beacons of positivity.
Supporting the IOC’s vision of building a better world through sport, the campaign invites participants to make a “donation” of their physical activity, recorded through the Olympic Channel. In keeping with the campaign theme of “light”, the IOC will convert recorded activity into tangible support for refugees, by providing sustainable, solar powered lighting solutions for the Mahama Refugee Camp in Rwanda in cooperation with UNHCR.
“Sport is about building bridges, bringing people together in the spirit of friendship and respect.” said Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee. “In a world of uncertainties, the message that our shared humanity is greater than the forces that divide us is more relevant than ever before. Athletes carry the light and inspire us, giving us all hope that a better world is possible. We are pleased to be able to continue our close cooperation with UNHCR and our support for refugees as part of this campaign.”
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said: “Sport can be a lifeline for young refugees uprooted by conflict and violence, forced to abandon their homes, communities and even their families. Sport restores childhood. It helps to heal and restore a sense of normalcy, offering a safe space where children can grow, learn and develop. By providing sustainable, solar powered lighting in refugee camps, we can boost sport and education opportunities for young refugees.”
The “Become the Light” campaign begins as the world counts down to the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 and the Olympic Torch Relay progresses around the host country, the Republic of Korea, with its message of hope and inspiration. The campaign launch follows the adoption of the Olympic Truce Resolution by all UN Member States on 13 November at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The Olympic Truce Resolution provides a commitment to support the safe passage of athletes and all participants to the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 and promote diplomatic solutions to conflicts around the world, in line with the ancient Greek tradition of the Olympic Truce, “Ekecheiria”.
“As an Olympian, I truly believe athletes have a crucial role to play to inspire the next generation, especially those who share a passion for sport, as sport can unite the world, breaking down barriers and having a positive impact on society,” said Angela Ruggiero, Chair of the IOC Athletes' Commission.
PyeongChang2018 prepared to deliver memorable Olympic Winter Games Experience
- LESS THAN 80 DAYS TO GO UNTIL THE XXIII OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES
"Venues are complete, the Olympic Villages are being kitted out, the Olympic Torch Relay is generating excitement for the Games across the Republic of Korea, and I can attest to the convenience of the new KTX high-speed railway. These are just a few of the many ways that preparations are continuing to be delivered ahead of what I am confident will be a memorable event for athletes and fans alike," IOC Coordination Commission Chair Gunilla Lindberg said following the two-day review.
In addition to the convenient venue clusters set against a backdrop of both mountains and sea – where they will be able to watch the world's best winter athletes compete on snow or ice – Olympic ticket holders will also be able to access the Olympic Park and Plaza, with their mix of cultural activities and exhibits.
The PyeongChang 2018 Organising Committee (POCOG) is also working to ensure spectators have access to updated accommodation and transport information to help facilitate their journeys to the Games, which for ticket holders will include courtesy shuttle buses and exemption from highway toll gate fees en route to PyeongChang.
"The local culture is what makes each Olympic Games so unique," Lindberg continued. "I have no doubt the entire world will appreciate PyeongChang as a destination for winter sport after seeing the beauty of the region and experiencing Korean hospitality. I encourage everyone to come to support their athletes, experience Korean culture, talk to people at the venues and make friends for life."
In the last month, POCOG has focused heavily on building up enthusiasm for the Games with the launch of its official PyeongChang 2018 app, as well as a number of other events and initiatives to engage Korea and the world with these Games. The Olympic Torch Relay also continues to connect the country to the passion of the Games, having passed through more than 20 cities since touching down in Korea.
With facilities now complete, POCOG has turned its attention to testing operational readiness and fine-tuning details to ensure athletes compete on the best fields of play possible.
"We are now only 79 days away from the start of the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, and we are ready to welcome the world," said POCOG President Lee Hee-beom. "We have had another very positive and productive Project Review with the IOC this week, and the next few weeks will be a busy and exciting time as we put the finishing touches to our preparations.
"The snow is starting to fall here and we are doing all we can to increase the passion and excitement across the nation to encourage everyone to come and be part of this winter sports extravaganza. It will be the most wonderful showcase of sports and culture that Korea has ever seen, and we invite everyone to buy their tickets and join us in PyeongChang."
The Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 open on 9 February 2018.
Buenos Aires 2018: design a piece of Olympic history!
- YOG
Do you have the talent to create the winning medal design for the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018? Put your creativity to the test and you could win a trip to the Argentinian capital!
Entering is the easy part: go to www.medal-design-competition.com, then find your inspiration and submit your very own design. The competition opens today and runs until 12 January 2018.
The winning design and two runners-up will be selected by a judging panel made up of the Young Change Makers and Young Reporters who have been involved in the YOG since the inaugural Singapore 2010 edition of the Games. Also joining the panel will be IOC members and sporting legends Angela Ruggiero, Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission and ice hockey Olympic champion, and Li Lingwei, Chair of the IOC Coordination Commission for Buenos Aires 2018 and badminton star.
The winning design will be selected at the end of January 2018, and this will then feature on the gold, silver and bronze medals awarded to athletes in Buenos Aires from 6 to 18 October 2018.
In addition to the prestige of creating Olympic history, the winning designer will win a trip to Buenos Aires 2018 to enjoy the Opening Ceremony and witness the awarding of their medals in the sports competitions, as well as a full collection of medals featuring their design for the winner to cherish.
So what are you waiting for? Create a piece of Olympic history and enter your medal design!
Olympic Truce Resolution adopted at the United Nations General Assembly
- PYEONGCHANG 2018
The Olympic Truce Resolution for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games was adopted at the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The resolution – entitled “Sport for Peace and Development: Building a Peaceful and Better World through Sport and the Olympic Ideal” – was formally submitted to the General Assembly on behalf of the Olympic Movement and the PyeongChang 2018 Organizing Committee by the Republic of Korea. It calls for a truce during the Olympic Games to encourage a peaceful environment and ensure safe passage, access and participation for athletes and relevant persons at the Games.
Speaking to the world Assembly, POCOG President LEE Hee-beom said, “The Olympic Truce is about the promotion of peace through sport. “We, Koreans, still remember vividly the wonderful 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. It provided a good opportunity to bring the East and West together, in Seoul, through the Games for peace, harmony and reconciliation. “We hope our joint actions today will lead to a chain reaction for the promotion of peace within the region and beyond. Together we are more powerful than any one of us working alone”.
Following POCOG President LEE Hee-beom’s address to the Assembly, Games Honorary Ambassador and Olympic gold medalist KIM Yuna spoke to the General Assembly sharing her experiences of being an athlete and the power that sport has in bringing nations together. She said, “I first experienced the Olympic spirit when I was 10 years old watching the two Korean delegations walk into the Olympic Stadium together in Sydney. “I firmly believe that the PyeongChang 2018 Games will help spread the message of peace and I am proud to be here today to help tell the world about our vision".
The delegation of the Republic of Korea was joined by three students from Hyun Pung High School in Daegu, who were selected from the winning team of a ‘Peace through Sport’ speech contest earlier this year. Republic of Korea national Para Ice Hockey athlete and Games Ambassador JUNG Seung-hwan also showed his support by joining the historical moment at the UN General Assembly. A special PyeongChang reception will take place this evening at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea in New York to mark the occasion with the International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach set to attend the event. He also spoke today at the UN General Assembly and said, “For the athletes that will gather in PyeongChang for the Olympic Winter Games, this resolution will carry a special significance, a deeply personal one. With the Olympic Truce resolution, the United Nation General Assembly is creating the conditions for all athletes to compete in peace. Only the UN Member States can guarantee the athletes a safe passage to the Olympic Games. They make it possible for all the Olympic athletes to realize their dream of a lifetime".
He continued, “The Olympic athletes show the whole world that it is possible to compete with each other while living peacefully together under one roof at the same time". The message of peace and passion for the PyeongChang 2018 Games continues to travel across the host country as the Olympic Torch Relay is now 13 days into its 101-day journey to the PyeongChang Olympic Stadium. Celebrating ‘achievers’ and ‘dreamers’ along the way, the 7,500 torchbearers will carry the flame over 2,018km and help raise the excitement and enthusiasm for what will be the greatest celebration of winter sports and culture that Korea has ever seen.
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