Team Italy defined for the Erzerum 2017 EYOF

The Italian team that will take part in the 13^th edition of the winter EYOF– the event that will take place from February 11 to 18 in Erzurum, Turkey - has been defined. 10 athletes will be engaged in the European Youth Olympic Festival, which will see the participation of 832 14-18 year old youths from 40 countries competing in 9 disciplines. Giampiero Pastore will be the Head of Mission.

This is the complete list of those summoned, divided by pertaining Federation:

FISG (Italian Ice Sports Federation)

Figure skating: Lucrezia Genaro, Daniel Grassl

Short track: Gloria Ioratti, Melissa Tunno, Riccardo Pontalti, Luca Spechenhauser

FISI (Italian Federation of Winter Sports)

Alpine skiing: Alex Vinatzer, Giovanni Zazzaro, Carlotta Saracco, Lara Della Mea

School of Sport, 2017 training offer presented. Malagò: the challenge is won, we’re ready to keep growing

A high profile presentation to promote the contents of a training activity that is increasingly synonymous of excellence. The School of Sport reveals its 2017 education project: in the crowded Hall of Honour and in the presence of a number of Federal Presidents, members of the National Board and former athletes, the strengths of an articulated and exhaustive offer were illustrated, an offer that is corroborated by the increasing numbers and a credibility testified by the many partnerships established. CONI’s pride for a structure that is the flagship of its own history was expressed through the words of President Giovanni Malagò (photo by Mezzelani-Gmt). "I am amazed by this imposing audience. The School of Sport is a challenge won by Director Rossana Ciuffetti and it is ready to look further ahead. The adventure began 50 years ago thanks to Giulio Onesti’s special intuition. In the inauguration speech, he said that the School was a necessity and this proves his foresight. Today, the world of sport attracts professionals who wish to express their capacities within our world. We must respond to these requests and, to this end, we have invested at all levels. Almost every week universities contact one another to do something together. In these classrooms are the managers of tomorrow, also former athletes, ready to take over. I see a lot of enthusiasm. Costs have reduced and proceeds have increased. The management is dynamic also thanks to the efforts of the Regional Schools, in a difficult moment of the economy in virtue of an exceptional training offer. We want to continue to grow and always meet the expectations as the school proves to us every day.

Alberto Miglietta, Managing Director of Coni Servizi, stressed the motives for which the structure plays a pivotal role in the development of the company. "The School of Sport and the Institute of Medicine and Science of Sport are considered as structures to develop, in order for them to represent just costs but an investment. This is a veritable research center, a catalyzer of interest, an excellence to promote through its territorial branches. The objective is to offer quality, and for this reason the School has become a link with the universities of the country, in the role of excellent interlocutor in training matters. We have various extraordinary partnerships such as that with De Agostini which is a winning partnership as shown by the results obtained on the territory with the refresher courses offered to more than 750 Physical Education teachers".

Antonio Urso, coordinator of relations and activities between the School and the Institute of Medicine and Science of Sport, has explored the philosophy that animates the action methodology of the structure. "This training plan says a lot through its numbers and quality. Today carrying out this activity means delving into the complexities of our times, trying to decode the general needs. This training boundary is not always clearly defined but broadens and changes dimension. There are worlds that come together. Our challenge is to optimize the process making it dynamic over the years, for the purpose of meeting the incipient needs".

The conclusions are assigned to the Director of the School of Sport, Rossana Ciuffetti, who gave a detailed account of the 2017 annual plan. "Giulio Onesti said that the school was an essential contribution, as President Malagò mentioned, and today’s parterre corroborates this aspect. In 2016, we recorded 5 thousand attendees in our premises, whereas the regional schools received 30,000. We tried to bring back the Federations within the school because in order to succeed in maintaining our competitive levels, you need effectiveness at training level through this strategic asset. Victory in sports is determined by a variety of factors and depends on the fundamental role of the technician and we are ready to respond to this need by investing in the specific aspect. Furthermore this is a pre-Olympic year, in view of PyeongChang 2018, and we shall promote a specific seminar to be designed in collaboration with Coni Lombardia, just as a similar initiative is planned in lieu of the Youth Olympic Games to be held in Buenos Aires. Ten high level technical studies have been planned as well as a fourth edition of the High Specialization Course in Olympic Management to train future managers in the sports sector. With the Foro Italico University we have developed a three year degree course in motor science for level 4 sports technicians, with the Luiss and the Bocconi universities various important collaboration projects, with Lumsa a postgraduate course in sports education and training. There is an important synergy with the Milan Polytechnic, with the University of Parma we shall promote the third edition of "Comunicare lo sport" (Communicating sport) and we shall speak of sport between spectacle and entertainment without forgetting the part dedicated to the facilities and to the wellness aspect and the collaboration with De Agostini. We are also publishers of dedicated texts and of a specific publication. The best way to allow Italian sport to innovate albeit respecting tradition, continuing to play an elitist role and one of guidance in the world context". Attending the presentation were the students of the Liceo Scientifico a indirizzo Sportivo (Sports Science High School) of the Convitto Nazionale and those of the third Course in Oympic Management.

The "FAMI" project (Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund) launches the national course for spreading sports among young immigrants

Sport as a vehicle of inclusion and integration of young migrants. CONI and the Ministry of the Interior join forces to develop a project for the “promotion, practice and implementation of sports activities in favour of young foreigners hosted by the national migrant reception system”, included within the 2014-2020 National Asylum, Migration and Integration Program (FAMI). Young migrants will, in fact, be offered the possibility to practice their motor skills with the associations on the territory, together with their Italian peers under the guidance of qualified coaches trained by CONI. The first step of the project is deemed to be implemented in five pilot regions (Emilia Romagna, Lazio, Marche, Sicily and Tuscany), with the involvement of 750 young participants (out of the 3800 overall objective of the three-year project).

The presentation of this first phase began today and will continue tomorrow, at the School of Sport, with activities targeted at the regional experts who will have the task of training the technicians/educators of the participating sports clubs in their respective regions. The project was illustrated by Prefect Rosetta Scotto Lavina, Director of the Central Office for Migration Policies of the Ministry of the Interior, and by Cecilia D’Angelo, Head of CONI’s Territorial Management and Promotion, while the meeting was introduced by CONI’s Secretary General, Roberto Fabbricini. “I remember when this initiative was in the pipeline and it was immediately endorsed by President Malagò who has always been responsive to certain issues. It is a project of great civil value which is conceived within the social fabric of the moment. Although it has different goals, CONI feels sympathetic towards certain issues. Cecilia d’Angelo and her structure was praised for having concretized the objective in collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior directed by Prefect Rosetta Scotto Lavina, whom I thank. These young boys and girls leave their roots in search of a better future. The project has us strongly committed along with the territorial organizations because we face an important challenge that we want to win. We are all citizens of the world”.

Prefect Rosetta Scotto Lavinia highlighted the significance of “FAMI”. “It is a project we have strongly encouraged because sport is the best instrument to favor integration. Thanks to CONI, which immediately endorsed the initiative within a broader European project. The subject matter is of extreme importance because in 2016, more than 25.000 unaccompanied minors came into our country. They are vulnerable and call for attention. We will support them in the hope of soon seeing them play and grow together with our children". The scientific directors of the Regional Sports Schools and the Presidents and Secretaries of CONI’s Regional Committees will oversee the training and coordination of the project on the territory.

The contents of the national training program is spread along a total of 10 hours divided into specific sessions: Asylum in the World and in Italy, by Andrea Pecoraro. Unaccompanied foreign minors in Italy: juridical framework and problematic issues, subject treated by Mattia Ventura. Account of a real experience: “Città dei Ragazzi”, by Francesco Ferraro.

Tomorrow the topic will focus on “Relationship and understanding within the group to recover equality within diversity, safeguard affections and awareness of the body”, by Barbara Pelletti. “Communication processes and intercultural relations applied to the context of sports communities”, courtesy of Antonella De Renzis and Isabella Tozza. Group activities and workshops are provided to create a direct connection between theory and practice, with an immediate involvement of the training recipients to guarantee an “awareness” of the different issues through a roadmap of actions to take.  (Foto Pagliaricci-GMT).

Launch of the partnership between CONI and TOYOTA

Today starts off a new path for Toyota, in the name of sport values, deep emotions and the challenge to achieve seemingly impossible goals. Today kicks off the partnership between Toyota and CONI, the Italian Olympic Committee. The agreement is for a period of eight years, until the end of 2024. It puts Toyota Motor Italia at the forefront in Italy together with CONI, the Italian Olympic Committee, which has received 25 cars today, 20 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and 5 Lexus (4 NX Hybrid e 1 RX Hybrid). The delivery was made by Andrea Carlucci, CEO of Toyota Motor Italia, and CONI President, Giovanni Malagò.

The vehicles will be used by CONI staff and by the athletes of the Olympic team who will benefit from the Toyota Full Hybrid technology, which combines the uniqueness pleasure of driving with low emissions to protect the environment. This partnership is part of the global collaboration between Toyota and the International Olympic Committee on the subject of mobility, which includes vehicles, services and mobility solutions, announced by the President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach and by Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota, in Tokyo in March 2015 (https://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-announces-toyota-as-top-partner-to-2024).  From 2017, Toyota will be global partner of CIO, the International Olympic Committee, and of other National Olympic Committees worldwide, to give sustainable mobility solutions, more secure, efficient, including intelligent transport systems, urban traffic management and communications systems vehicle-to-vehicle. This partnership will support the objectives of the 2020 Olympic Agenda, the vision and the plan of action for the future of the Olympic Movement that sees in sustainability one of the three main pillars.

“It is an important day for the world of sport because it marks the beginning of a relationship with a leading firm in the car sector. My personal experience as entrepreneur led me to discovering Toyota many years ago, when I had an intuition it would become a giant in this sector because it was able to read market trends ahead of time and take brave and innovative directions - Giovanni Malagò declared - For CONI, Toyota is a new partner, but an important one at the same time, with its worldwide successes in the transportation field. We are very satisfied with this agreement, which provides the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) with a very innovative car fleet, sensitive to environmental issues, considering that we will use hybrid fuel cell cars, a novelty that was actually launched on the market by Toyota. Today they are a leading company and we are particularly honoured to celebrate this agreement that allows us to journey into the future”.

Andrea Carlucci, CEO of Toyota Motor Italia: “This partnership represents for Toyota an important milestone and reflects the common values on which our brand has always worked: to shape a better society through the application of our Kaizen spirit, through the continuous improvement of any activity or process combined with innovation, always respecting the people and teamwork. We think that through the hybrid technology and the diffused use of hydrogen as an alternative energy resource, we can achieve important goals for a better future and promote the welfare of individuals and society in general. As in sports, aiming for the continuous research of new challenges, in full respect of the people and their potential, with hybrid technology and hydrogen, we have launched our biggest challenge yet and now we are making it possible: to build a world with real zero emissions. Thanks to this partnership, which will be long term, I am sure we will develop innovative programs that will see sports and mobility always more at the forefront”.

This agreement represents for CONI a source of great pride,  a commitment to improve the sustainable mobility; it’s an important collaboration to protect and celebrate the economic, social, institutional aspects  and all the Sports values. Thanks to this collaboration, Toyota will adopt in its daily approach the true spirit of the Olympic Games.

National Board convenes in Genoa for the first time. Progress report

Meeting n. 1056 of CONI’s National Board was held this morning in the Reception Hall of the Municipality of Genoa, the first time in its history to hold the meeting in the Liguria region (Photo by Mezzelani-GMT). The Board began the session with the approval of the minutes of the previous meeting held on December 20. The meeting began with the intervention of the Mayor of Genoa, Marco Doria, the President of the Liguria Region, Giovanni Toti, the President of the Town Council, Giorgio Guerello, with their respective sports councilors. In his intervention, President Malagò began by updating the Board on the relations with the Government and issues regarding the elections of the federations which sometimes lead to legal actions. With regard to results, the Board approved a list of young athletes receiving the "Premio Terna trasmette energia" (Terna Award for Energy Transmission). With regard to anti-doping measures, Prof. Marco Bernardi was co-opted into the CCA. After examining a long series of other issues of organizational and administrative nature, and having approved the relative resolutions, the Board ended the meeting at 12:30 pm.

Three years to go until the Lausanne 2020 kick off

There are just three years to go until the Winter Youth Olympic Games Lausanne 2020 kick off, with the Opening Ceremony due to be held on 10 January 2020. As the countdown continues to what will be the third edition of the Winter YOG, we take a look at what fans and athletes can expect from the host city.

Organised for young people, by young people

Young people are playing a key role in the planning of the Games, with the Lausanne 2020 Organising Committee recruiting a core team with an average age of less than 30. To ensure that young people are involved throughout the decision-making process, Lausanne 2020 has also formed a Youth Council to discuss ideas and give young people from around Switzerland the chance to have their voices heard!

Plenty of Olympic history to draw on

Lausanne is also known as the “Olympic Capital”, and has been home to the Olympic Movement for more than 100 years. As well as the IOC headquarters and The Olympic Museum, more than 50 international sports organisations are also based in Lausanne, meaning sport is well and truly in the city’s DNA! The organisers are now set to leverage this Olympic heritage to make the YOG a truly an unforgettable event!

YOG for the whole of Switzerland and beyond!

Lausanne 2020 will extend across the whole of Switzerland. The bobsleigh, luge and skeleton events all set to take place in St Moritz, in the east of the country. The town’s historic bobsleigh track first opened in 1904, and has hosted events at both the 1928 and 1948 Olympic Winter Games as well as a record 22 FIBT World Championships. Other sports will be spread across Lausanne and the Vaud Alps, while the neighbouring French Jura will also host some sports.

A state-of-the-art Youth Olympic Village

A brand-new building shaped like an Olympic ring will house the Youth Olympic Village during the YOG. Located in the heart of the city’s university campus, it will be converted into student accommodation after the Games, providing a lasting legacy for the university. The Village will include two sports halls for training, 1,700 beds in studios and apartments, and a 7,800m2 plaza, where athletes will be able to socialise and learn about different cultures and Olympism.

A brand-new sports venue for Lausanne

Figure skating, ice hockey and short track speed skating events will be able to take advantage of the new sports centre planned for Malley. The new facility will include an ice rink with a capacity for 10,000 spectators, which will be designed as a multifunctional hall; a practice rink for 300 spectators; an outdoor skating rink in winter; a 50-metre swimming pool; a diving pool; a multi-function pool with a moveable floor; and a paddling pool. The centre will also house table tennis and fencing training centres. After the YOG, it will provide a superb sports facility for local residents and will also be home to Lausanne’s leading ice hockey team, as well as hosting matches during the 2020 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships.

National Committee press release. Agreement signed with the Foro Italico University of Rome

The 1055th meeting of the CONI National Committee was held at the Foro Italico this morning. The proceedings were opened by approving the minutes of the previous meeting of 22 November and following on from 2 December. In his statements, President Malagò emphasized the success of the Collari d’Oro awards ceremony, expressed satisfaction with the Italian sports results achieved in the last month and announced a meeting for the following day between CONI and the Minister of Sport, Luca Lotti, to review a number of legislative issues concerning the world of sport. Malagò then highlighted Coni Servizi's excellent results, congratulating President Franco Chimenti, MD Alberto Miglietta and all the directors for having increased revenues by EUR 10.5 million over four years (going from EUR 135.5 million in 2012 to 146 in 2016), in view of a steady reduction in the value of the CONI service contract which fell below the threshold of EUR 100 million for the first time in history (108.8 in 2012 and expected to be around 98.7 for 2016), with savings of EUR 10.1 million.

These savings, which are the result of careful management of resources, are used by CONI towards further funding for National Sports Federations and Associate Sports Disciplines: The Committee has awarded EUR 250,000 to the Italian Winter Sports Federation [FISI] and the Italian Ice Sports Federation [FISG] in special funding barely 400 days before the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics; and EUR 100,000 to the Italian Hockey and Skating Federation [FIHP] and EUR 250,000 to the Italian Federation of Judo, Karate and Martial Arts [FIJLKAM] to prepare for the new Olympic sports of skateboarding and karate. The President then announced that the sponsorship contract with FCA (Fiat Auto) will expire on 31 December, and as of 1 January CONI will commence a new partnership with Toyota, in accordance with international agreements concluded by the IOC. The eight-year contract will be presented in Rome on 19 January. The agreement between CONI, Coni Servizi and the Foro Italico University of Rome on the use of space and facilities for Coni Servizi and the University's institutional purposes was then approved. Finally, it was confirmed that the next National Committee meeting will be held in Genoa in the Salone di Rappresentanza on 17 January at 10:00. It will be the last meeting to be held outside of Rome before the Elective National Council on Thursday 11 May 2017 in Rome (the deadline for applications for all Committee positions is 14:00 on 20 April 2017). After addressing a long list of other organisational and administrative issues, and having taken the relevant resolutions, the Committee called an end to proceedings at 11:35.

National Council Press Release

The 249th CONI National Council met today at 3 pm at the Foro Italico to discuss the following agenda:

1) Verbal approval of the meeting of 3 November 2016: The minutes were approved unanimously.

2) The President's statements: Malagò opened proceedings, awarding the Stelle d’Oro for sporting merit to newly elected Fabrizio Bittner (FIPM - Italian Federation of Modern Pentathlon), Andrea Marcon (FIBS - Italian Federation of Baseball and Softball), Giovanni Copioli (FMI - Italian Motorcycling Federation), Gherardo Tecchi (FGI - Italian Gymnastics Federation), Stefania Lenzini, (FITw - Italian Twirling Federation), Fabio Marabini (FCrI - Italian Cricket Federation), Stefano Rossi (FISB - Italian Bowling Federation), Enzo Casadidio (FIGEST - Italian Federation of Traditional Sports and Games), Carlo Andrea Bordini (FID - Italian Draughts Federation), Tiziano Zanetello (FISO - Italian Orienteering Federation), greeting Michele Barbone (FIDS - Italian Federation of Dancesport) and thanking, on behalf of CONI, Elio Locatelli who has moved to FIDAL (Italian Athletics Federation) as the High Ranking Director, for the fruitful efforts made at national and international level, and Emilio Crosato, President of FIPT (Italian PallaTamburello Federation), who decided not to run again.

Regarding the inauguration of the new government, it was highlighted that the introduction of the Minister of Sport is seen as a key opportunity, as the exchange with Luca Lotti can help in further examining key issues. Regarding the federal elections, it was pointed out that, between National Sports Federations (FSN) and Associate Sports Disciplines (DSA), 10 new presidents have already been elected: the average is over the 32% turnover. 11 May 2017 was specified as the date for the CONI presidential election. Malagò then addressed the Committee, thanking it for its contribution and mentioning that, despite the pain of Rome 2024, sport is one of the country's strengths.

Also, participating on the report and other subjects were: Giovanni Petrucci, Mario Pescante (member of the IOC- International Olympic Committee), Ugo Salines, Andrea Mancino.

3) Territorial organisation: The regulation of CONI's territorial organisation was unanimously approved – amendment to resolution 1544 of 9 November 2015.

4) FSN-DSA-EPS activities: The following resolutions were unanimously approved: 1) Annual limit on foreign athletes entering from outside the European Community (1160 athletes) 2) Registro Nazionale delle Associazioni e Società Sportive Dilettantistiche [National Register of Associations and Amateur Sports Societies] - List of eligible sporting disciplines 3) Approval of election procedures for electing members to the National Council (representatives of athletes and coaches, from territorial organisations, from Sports Promotion Bodies, from Associate Sports Disciplines, from Meritorious Associations), the President and the CONI National Committee.

With no other matters arising, proceedings were closed at 4:20 pm.

Collari D'Oro 2016 awards. Malagò: "The future lies in sport"

The Collari d'Oro awards ceremony, the highest honour in Italian sport, was held today at the CONI Salone d'Onore. Olympic and Paralympic champions from Rio 2016 were honoured along with other sportspeople, personalities and societies that have shone over the course of their career or history. The Palme d'Oro awards were also presented to coaches of Olympic and Paralympic champions for their technical merit.

The prize-giving ceremony, which took place at the CONI Salone d'Onore, was conducted by the Minister of Sport Luca Lotti and was attended by the President of CONI Giovanni Malagò and President of the Italian Paralympic Committee Luca Pancalli.  The ceremony, which was also attended by Secretary General Roberto Fabbricini, Deputy Secretary General Carlo Mornati, President of CONI Servizi Franco Chimenti and Managing Director of CONI Servizi Alberto Miglietta, featured two special guests: Gianluigi Buffon and Francesca Porcellato.

The day began with a welcome from President Malagò, who stressed the importance and significance of the day. "This moment represents our excellence. It has been a particularly significant year in which Italy has performed very well despite our issues with the Olympic programme. I believe that we left Rio with our heads held high, not just in terms of results but also for our style and behaviour. We are the only Olympic Committee to have this model. Everyone is aware of our uniqueness, thanks to my predecessor. We now have a Minister of Sport, Luca Lotti, and we are happy because in recent years he has shared this journey with me. This is the best guarantee for accomplishing and understanding the demands of the sports movement. We are still sore from our Olympic bid. Even those who were opposed to it: we are pleased that we came out of it with style. The future lies in sport".

These notions were also developed by Luca Lotti, in his first formal engagement as Minister of Sports. "I am honoured to take part in this event. We are not starting from scratch but there is still a lot to do. We have done a great deal and I intend to continue in the role from what the previous administration did, the results of which are clear to all. I'm talking about the 100 million to Sports and Suburbs, the increased number of hours devoted to sport in schools, recognition of the autonomy of the Italian Paralympic Committee. There is no lack of support for major international events. Today, however, I am happy because these awards are not like any other. Athletes are a source of inspiration to young people, but these awards go beyond even that. Our champions are the tip of the iceberg: they are supported by a world which works hard for them and enables us to experience the excitement that we celebrated in Rio. I'm borrowing a line from Alfredo Martini who has obviously received this award. In his 93 years of life he experienced sport at all levels. He climbed from the bottom to the top. He is an inspiration to all of us. Sport will always pay because those who take part in sport form good habits, and good habits are never lost. I am talking about values such as honesty, loyalty and respect. It is exciting to think that, thanks to the Sport and Suburbs funding, somewhere a child is playing on one of those fields and in 20 years they may be here".

The ceremony, which was broadcast live on RAI, opened with an award presented to Martina Caironi. Olympic and Paralympic champions alternately received awards on the stage and the ceremony was interspersed with jokes, stories, film clips, emotions and anecdotes. The 90-minute show was attended by members of the IOC Mario Pescante, Franco Carraro, Ivo Ferriani and Manuela Di Centa and several members of the Committee and National Council.

President Emeritus Giorgio Napolitano was among those being honoured, along with Francesco Ricci Bitti, and his speech brought the ceremony to an emotional close.

"I don’t believe that I did much to deserve this recognition, I can use it as encouragement to take up sport myself if it’s not too late. I am paying the consequences of not playing sport. I did so vicariously through my children but I've yet to choose my specialism. I extend my deepest gratitude to CONI for the most wonderful days at the Quirinale where I received Italian athletes leaving for the Olympics and World Championships, and met them again on their return after competing valiantly and often victoriously. We have had many athletes in uniform, both men and women. Sports and the armed forces are among the most respected faces of our nation. Paralympic athletes should be particularly admired for their moral courage and the life lesson that they teach us. We must now look ahead and leave painful controversy behind us. Italy cannot shy away from the challenges and tests that exist on an international level, we must compete in technology, economy, culture, art and sport. We cannot fall behind in any of these fields. Italy has a strong sense of dignity, and we must continually reaffirm it to better ourselves and our circumstance, without being paralysed by fear of misfortune or divided by a willingness to rebel which still exists in Italy – sport can protect us from this". He closed with an anecdote related to Buffon and the triumph of 2006: "I had just been elected President of the Republic and I was in Berlin: I have to thank Buffon and the National Team, which saved me from a serious threat, that Italian misfortune may cast a shadow of bad luck over me. I managed to escape this threat, not due to my own merits. I hope I have not brought bad luck to Italian sport".

Malagò's closing speech was met with applause. "President Napolitano has moved me. He said something beautiful: that sport is perhaps the only area in which we are not divided. It is all thanks to you". (Photo credit: Mezzelani-GMT).

Absent winners included Vincenzo Nibali (cycling, Giro d’Italia 2016), Gregorio Paltrinieri (swimming, Olympic gold 1500 freestyle), Fabio Basile (judo, Olympic gold cat. 66 kg), Andrea Pio Scarpa (WBC world champion silver, super lightweight), Luigi Gigi Riva, judo coach Kiyoshi Murakami and head swimming coach Stefano Morini.

The full list is as follows:

COLLARI D’ORO FOR SPORTING MERIT

Marco Tamberi (athletics, indoor high jump world champion), Elia Viviani (cycing, Olympic gold, omnium), Daniele Garozzo (fencing, Olympic gold in individual foil), Niccolò Campriani (shooting, Olympic gold 10 m rifle and three position rifle), Diana Bacosi (skeet shooting, Olympic gold), Gabriele Rossetti (skeet shooting, Olympic gold), Giovanni De Carolis (WBA world champion, super-middleweight), Kiara Fontanesi (2015 Motocross world champion – absent from the last ceremony).

Martina Caironi (track and field, Paralympic gold 100 m T42), Assunta Legnante (track and field, Paralympic gold shot put F12), Alex Zanardi (cycling, Paralympic gold chronometer handbike H5 and Mixed Team Relay), Vittorio Podestà (cycling, Paralympic gold chronometer handbike H3 and Mixed Team Relay), Luca Mazzone (cycling, Paralympic gold chronometer handbike H2 and Mixed Team Relay), Paolo Cecchetto (cycling, Paralympic gold handbike individual road race H3), Federico Morlacchi (swimming, Paralympic gold 200 m IM – SM9), Francesco Bocciardo (swimming, Paralympic gold 400 m freestyle – S6), Beatrice Maria Vio (fencing, Paralympic gold in individual foil cat. B).

SPORTS SOCIETIES

Società Ginnastica Pavese ASD [Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica - Amateur Sports Association], Verbano Yacht Club ASD, Vela Nuoto Ancona ASD, Circolo Canottieri Pro Monopoli ASD, Tennis Club Napoli ASD, Gruppo Sportivo Forestale, Torino Football Club Spa

PERSONALITIES

Giorgio Napolitano, Francesco Ricci Bitti

PALMA D’ORO FOR COACHING MERIT

Davide Cassani, Marco Villa and Edoardo Salvoldi (cycling), Pierangelo Toniolo (judo), Cesare Butini (swimming), Fabio Maria Galli (fencing), Celso Giardini and Bruno Rossetti (skeet shooting), Nadia Checchini and Alessandro Kuris (Paralympic track and field), Fabrizio Di Somma (Paralympic cycling), Massimiliano Tosin and Luca Puce (Paralympic swimming), Federica Berton (Paralympic fencing)

CONI TROPHY

CONI Regional Committee - Veneto

Celebrating Holy Mass for Sportspeople in St. Peter's. Monsignor Fisichella: You must have faith to reach the finish line

Monsignor Rino Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation, today officiated the Holy Mass for Sportspeople in St. Peter's Basilica. The Mass was attended by the President of CONI Giovanni Malagó, Secretary General Roberto Fabbricini, Deputy Secretary General Carlo Mornati, President of CONI Servizi Franco Chimenti, Managing Director of CONI Servizi Alberto Miglietta, several members of the Committee and National Council and a representative group of Italian athletes (photo credit: Mezzelani-GMT).

The service was accompanied by the Coro Città di Roma, directed by Lorenzo Porzio, along with the orchestra and choir from the Vittorio Emanuele II National Boarding School in Rome. Introductory liturgical readings were read by Giovanni Pellielo and Sandro Campagna, while Don Mario Lusek, the Italian Olympic team's chaplain, read the first reading from the book of Judges, recounting the birth of Samson. The service was officiated in the presence of, among others, the Under-secretary at the Pontifical Council for Culture of the Holy See, Monsignor Melchor Sanchez.

In his homily, Monsignor Fisichella used the story of Samson as a metaphor for our existence. "Samson was strong thanks to God's spirit. He had to free his people from slavery, and each of us also has a mission – which is not just to win. We must try to truly realise life for what has been bestowed upon us. The important thing is to believe in it. Samson did not fully accomplish the task that God entrusted to him, and so his people were not released at that time. We, too, must trust in the rules that have been set in order to achieve our plan. If you want to reach the finish line, you must uphold and maintain the rules and discipline, and believe in them wholeheartedly. The rest comes by itself. We must have faith, because everything passes, even glory. But if you have faith you will never lose courage. Celebrating Christmas is to believe in the qualities that we have been given and to believe in God, who became one of us so that we could fully be ourselves. Celebrate the birth of Jesus with genuine faith and love".

Antonella Palmisano, Guendalina Sartori, Francesca Porcellato and Matteo Castaldo, along with Sandro Campagna and Giovanni Pellielo, in turn read the prayers of the faithful. Monsignor Fisichella's blessing was the perfect close to Italian sport's 2016 Olympic year, opening the doors for renewed ambitions.