Italia Team arrives in Skopje: Alessandra Mao and Gabriele Rosato to carry the flag at the Opening Ceremony
- EYOF SKOPJE 2025
The Italian delegation arrived early this afternoon in Skopje, North Macedonia, where the 18th edition of the European Youth Olympic Festival – the continent’s premier multi-sport event for athletes under 18 – is set to officially begin tomorrow.
Swimmer Alessandra Mao and taekwondo athlete Gabriele Rosato will lead the Azzurri at the Opening Ceremony, scheduled for 8:30 p.m. tomorrow at the ‘Jane Sandanski’ Sports Centre and broadcast live on Italia Team TV.
Just 14 years old, Mao claimed the Italian senior national title in the 200m freestyle last April, setting a new national record in the girls' category with a time of 1:58.86. Born in 2009, Rosato has already achieved multiple podium finishes on the international stage, including the cadet world title he won at the 2023 World Championships in Sarajevo.
The summer edition of EYOF Skopje 2025 will welcome over 2,500 athletes from 49 European National Olympic Committees. Competitions will be held in three cities: in addition to the Macedonian capital, cycling and basketball events will take place in Kumanovo, while Osijek, Croatia, will host artistic gymnastics.
Italia Team will compete in 12 of the 15 disciplines on the programme, fielding a squad of 116 athletes (60 boys and 56 girls).
The Opening Ceremony will be streamed live from 8:30 p.m. on ItaliaTeamTV, CONI’s OTT platform, which will offer extensive coverage of the entire event across four dedicated channels.
President Buonfiglio addresses the Italian Basketball Federation Council: "Congratulations on the national team’s bronze. A thought for Polonara"
- AT SALONE D'ONORE
CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio and General Secretary Carlo Mornati took part in the Federal Council of the Italian Basketball Federation (FIP), chaired by President Giovanni Petrucci and hosted at the Salone d'Onore of CONI in Rome.
“Nothing happens by chance,” said Italy’s top sports official. “Just a few days ago, you achieved a fantastic result with the women’s team and a phenomenal coach. What I would really like is to come in person to cheer for Italy on 14 September in the final of the men’s EuroBasket. I’m very superstitious, but I’m simply expressing a wish. Among all the challenges ahead, there is one that is especially important – that of Achille Polonara,” he added, referring to the player recently diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia.
Buonfiglio went on to speak about Giovanni Petrucci, to whom he had already extended his congratulations by phone after the women’s team secured their European bronze medal: “I owe a great deal to President Petrucci – he has always been someone I’ve tried to learn from, especially his decisiveness and leadership.”
“We will strive to be worthy of the task and of those we represent – this is my commitment,” added the CONI President, who was elected on 26 June. “It will be a pleasure to take part in your initiatives. I’m proud of all Italian sport. Only we leaders who come from the Federations truly understand the effort made by our clubs. They are the backbone of our system.”
He concluded with some significant announcements: “Last night, together with General Secretary Mornati, we met with Minister Abodi, along with Sport e Salute and the Italian Paralympic Committee (CIP), and we jointly decided that from 2026, the Youth Games for all will begin. I believe we’ve taken a first step. This morning, I met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tajani: a new initiative will be launched to involve CONI in all activities that promote Italian sport abroad. We are working to ensure that CONI and the Federations take centre stage in every sector.”
FIP President Giovanni Petrucci also shared his thoughts: “There’s a great atmosphere – Buonfiglio and Mornati make an extraordinary team. This is exactly what I had hoped for and wanted. He received broad support and has made an excellent start, showing both substance and humility – not an easy feat. He will do a fine job.”
During the Council meeting, CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio also presented the Golden Star for Sporting Merit to Gigi Datome, the Silver Star to Davide Paolini, and the Bronze Star to Roberto Ciardo.
President Buonfiglio meets Foreign Minister Tajani
- AT THE FARNESINA
Luciano Buonfiglio, President of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), was received today at the Farnesina by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani (photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
During the meeting, the two officials discussed a range of topics, including the strategic role of sport in international diplomacy and its value in promoting Italy’s image abroad.
The medals of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games have been unveiled
- IN VENICE
Today at Palazzo Balbi, the Organising Committee of the upcoming Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Winter
Games unveiled the Milano Cortina 2026 medals, joined by two legends of Italian sport, Federica Pellegrini and Francesca Porcellato. In addition to the host, Luca Zaia, the event was attended by the President of Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, Giovanni Malagò, and its CEO, Andrea Varnier, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Matteo Salvini, the Minister for Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi, the President of Regione Lombardia, Attilio Fontana, the President of CONI, Luciano Buonfiglio; and the President of the Italian Paralympic Committee (CIP), Marco Giunio De Sanctis. For the President of Regione Veneto, Luca Zaia: “The medals we have seen today are a very powerful symbol: they tell the story of the effort, dedication, and journey that every athlete undertakes to reach the finish line. But they also tell of the silent and essential work of those behind the scenes who make all of this possible: organizers, volunteers, technicians, artisans, and many other indispensable contributors”.
“Milano Cortina 2026,” Zaia adds, “will be a great opportunity for the entire Country. Not just sports and entertainment, but also infrastructure, hospitality, promotion, and employment. Italy has proven it knows how to work as a team, and these Games are the proof. A sincere thank you from Regione Veneto to all those who works every day with passion and expertise to build this event: it is thanks to them that today we can begin to see tangible results. The
medals are only the beginning”.
The medals of the 2026 Games feature an essential design that places emotion and teamwork at its core, symbolising not only the union of two cities, Milano and Cortina, but also the soul of victory and the effort it takes to achieve it. Two halves brought together by the Olympic and Paralympic values. Two dimensions reflecting the culmination of an athlete and Para athlete’s journey, and all of those who stood by their side along the way. This concept becomes a powerful metaphor to portray the story of two worlds coming together, united by the spirit of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games: a world where competition doesn’t divide, but unites. “The medals of Milano Cortina 2026 are much more than mere awards: they are the heartbeat of Italy, the essence of a design that moves, the reflection of a dream taking shape. They encapsulate the identity of a country—its creativity, its passion for sports and beauty,” says Giovanni Malagò, President of Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026. “Each medal, whether Olympic or Paralympic, is a story etched into metal: it speaks of effort, determination, sacrifice, and the hopes of those who have lived to reach the podium. But it also tells the story of a Country that believes in the most authentic values of sport. Those who win it will carry with them not just the tribute of victory, but a living fragment of the Italian Spirit—an eternal symbol of what we are capable of dreaming and achieving together”.
The medals are crafted by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (IPZS), a company wholly owned by the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Founded in 1928, IPZS is a European leader in secure printing solutions, digital identity, and coin minting. The Olympic and Paralympic medals of Milano Cortina 2026 bring together elegance, visual impact, and sustainability. The medals are produced by the IPZS with an eco-friendly, non-toxic, and recyclable protective finish. The energy used by the IPZS comes entirely from renewable sources. According to Paolo Perrone, President of the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, “The medals we have created to celebrate the Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Winter Games represent the mastery and excellence of Italian design. Each one is a unique piece, the result of craftsmanship combined with a high level of technological innovation. The Milano Cortina 2026 medals place the athlete and Para athlete at the centre of it all, expressing the universality of sport, the struggle, and the emotion of victory”.
Coherent with the concept of Italian Spirit, vibrant, dynamic, and contemporary, and inspired by the Italian avant-garde, the design of the medals for the Games, developed by the design team of Milano Cortina 2026, embody “the determination and passion of the world’s greatest athletes and Para athletes, but also the Olympic and Paralympic spirits,” explains Raffaella Paniè, Brand, Identity and Look of the Games Director for Milano Cortina 2026. “We conceived a medal that represents purity and a return to essence. With our medals, we celebrate the strength found in difference: two unique halves that join through the Olympic and Paralympic symbols to deliver a bold and unified message. This concept is also reflected in the surfaces of the medals, where two textures meet and begin a story written not only by the athletes and Para athletes, but also by those who supported them: coaches, teammates, family members, and fans”.
In the organisation of the award ceremonies, the athlete and Para athlete experience is paramount and requires meticulous care to create a truly memorable moment. That is why the medal boxes and medal trays hold great significance, and for Milano Cortina 2026 they will be crafted by Versalis (Eni), Official Supporter of the Games, already involved in the creation of the Olympic and Paralympic Torches. Objects of dreams and desire, of commitment and sacrifice, for anyone who has ever practiced a sport, even just once, winning an Olympic medal or a Paralympic medal is one of the highest achievements in sport. And there couldn’t have been two more representative athletes to unveil the most iconic object of the Games. Federica Pellegrini, the greatest Italian swimmer of all time, that won two Olympic medals (1 gold, 1 silver) and 11 World Championship medals (6 golds, 4 silvers, 1 bronze), dominating the 200-metre freestyle for over a decade. Francesca Porcellato, the “flying redhead,” is a true Paralympic icon. She has earned 14 medals at Paralympic Games (3 golds, 4 silvers, 7 bronzes) and 12 World Championship medals across Para athletics, Para cross-country skiing, and Para cycling. She has competed in 9 Summer Paralympic Games (from Seoul 1988 to Paris 2024) and 3 Winter Games (Turin 2006, Vancouver 2010, and Sochi 2014).
KEY FIGURES OF THE MILANO CORTINA 2026 MEDALS
Medals will be awarded in 195 events:
245 gold, 245 silver, and 245 bronze medals will be presented during the Olympic Winter Games.
137 gold, 137 silver, and 137 bronze medals will be awarded during the Paralympic Winter Games.
This brings the grand total to 1146 medals.
FEATURES OF ALL MEDALS
Diameter: 80 mm.
Thickness: 10 mm.
COMPOSITION
Gold Medal
Metal: 999 silver + 999.9 gold.
Weight: 500 grams + 6 grams of gold.
Silver Medal
Metal: 999 silver.
Weight: 500 grams.
Bronze Medal
Metal: Copper.
Weight: 420 grams.
Three years to Los Angeles 2028: first look at the competition schedule
- OLYMPIC GAMES
Three years from today, the Olympic Games will return to Los Angeles for the third time in history, a remarkable milestone for the iconic Host City. To celebrate the Road to 2028, LA28 today released the first look at the Olympic competition schedule. Additionally, LA28 CEO Reynold Hoover will join Los Angeles’ Recreation and Parks and PlayLA later today to commemorate a major pre-Games legacy achievement of one million program enrollments in PlayLA programming.
“We couldn’t be more excited to mark this moment at exactly three years out from Los Angeles’ third Olympic Games in 2028,” said Reynold Hoover LA28 Chief Executive Officer. “There is so much to celebrate today between one million program enrollments in LA28’s pre-Games legacy through the PlayLA program, plus the first look at the Olympic competition schedule that has been meticulously developed to ensure the world’s best athletes can compete in LA. We are energized by today’s milestones and remain focused on the work ahead as the Road to 2028 continues”.
“We are now three years away from the LA Memorial Coliseum hosting the opening of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and I’m proud that the first medal will be awarded at the iconic Venice Beach,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. “When the world comes here for these Games, we will highlight every neighborhood as we host a Games for all and work to ensure it leaves a monumental legacy. We are already delivering that legacy as we announce there have been more than one million enrollments in PlayLA. I want to thank LA28 and the International Olympic Committee for making these programs possible and for their continued work to host the greatest Games yet”.
For the first time in nearly 30 years, the Games will return to the United States with a schedule designed to accommodate both domestic and global viewership of the 844 ticketed events.
2028 Olympic Competition Schedule Highlights
- Opening and Closing Ceremonies: The 2028 Olympic Opening Ceremony will take place on Friday, July 14, 2028 at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT, shared between the LA Memorial Coliseum and 2028 Stadium in Inglewood, and the Closing Ceremony will take place Sunday, July 30, 2028 at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
- Historic Swap of Athletics and Swimming competitions: The 2028 Games will kick off with a powerful start thanks to the historic swap of the Athletics and Swimming events. Athletics will move to the first week of competition while Swimming will be held during the second week.
- Athletics at the LA Memorial Coliseum: The Games will kick off with the world’s fastest athletes at the LA Memorial Coliseum. Consistent with tradition, the Marathon events will take place on the final weekend of the Games.
- First Medal of the LA28 Games to be Awarded at Venice Beach: Also on Day 1, Triathlon will award LA28’s first Olympic champion in the Host City of Los Angeles, set along the vibrant coastline of Venice Beach.
- Most Games Medals Awarded on Day 15: Day 15 of competition will go down as one of the most memorable final weekends in Olympic medal history when 16 gold and bronze medal team sport matches and the Finals for 19 individual sports, including Swimming, all take place on the single most action-packed day of the LA28 Games.
- Swimming Finale: Swimming will close out the LA28 Games on Day 16 with the final competition session held in one of the world’s most technically advanced and modern stadiums, the 2028 Stadium, setting the stage for an epic Closing Ceremony at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Developed in close coordination with Games delivery partners including the Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), International Federations (IFs) of each respective sport and approval from the International Olympic Committee Executive Board, the 2028 Olympic competition schedule showcases the most ambitious sports lineup in history. Leading up to the 2028 Games, the competition schedule will continue to evolve as planning progresses. A more detailed schedule with medal events and gender order will be released later this year. A downloadable PDF of the current Olympic competition schedule by day and by session is available here.
PlayLA Surpasses One Million Program Enrollments
In partnership with Los Angeles Recreation and Parks, LA28 and the International Olympic Committee have invested up to $160 million in PlayLA, offering quality, affordable, and inclusive sports programming for kids of all abilities. Today, PlayLA is celebrating one million program enrollments, marking an incredible milestone in LA28’s pre-Games legacy. Programming offers kids ages 3-17 the opportunity to engage in over 40 Olympic and adaptive sports, including aquatics, athletics, boxing, flag football, judo, as well as adaptive swimming, adaptive athletics, para surfing, sitting volleyball and more.
About the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Game
The LA28 Games will mark Los Angeles’ third time to host the Olympic Games, previously hosted in 1984 and 1932, and first time to host the Paralympic Games. Los Angeles will host the world’s most elite athletes in 2028 as it welcomes Paralympians and Olympians from around the world to compete on the biggest stage in sports. The LA28 Games are independently operated by a privately funded, non-profit organization with revenue from corporate partners, licensing agreements, hospitality and ticketing programs and a significant contribution from the International Olympic Committee.
Flagbearers announced for the World Games: Chiara Rebagliati and Angelo Crescenzo to lead the Italian delegation
- IN CHINA
Karateka Angelo Crescenzo and archer Chiara Rebagliati have been chosen as flagbearers for the Italian delegation at the 12th edition of the World Games, set to take place from 7 to 17 August 2025 in Chengdu, China. The official appointment was confirmed today by the Executive Board of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI).
The prestigious multi-sport event, dedicated to disciplines not included in the Olympic programme, will feature athletes from around the globe competing in 34 sports, 60 disciplines and 256 medal events. Hosting the event is Chengdu, a bustling metropolis of over 20 million inhabitants in southwest China and the capital of Sichuan province. This marks the third time in the event’s history that it will be held in Asia, following Akita 2001 (Japan) and Kaohsiung 2009 (Taiwan), adding another chapter to a legacy that began in 1981.
Born in Sarno in 1993, Angelo Crescenzo is one of the most recognisable faces in Italian karate. A world champion in 2018 and European champion in 2023, he also claimed bronze at the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, confirming his consistent form at the highest level in the under 60 kg kumite category.
Chiara Rebagliati, born in 1997 in Savona, is one of the leading figures in Italian archery. After her Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020 and a long list of international successes, she heads to Chengdu with strong ambitions in women’s recurve archery.
Italy enters the Chinese edition of the Games buoyed by the success achieved at the last edition in the United States, aiming to once again assert themselves as a major force among the emerging sports nations.
Chiara Rebagliati (Savona, 23 January 1997) is an Italian recurve archer. A product of the Arcieri Cinque Stelle club, she is now part of the Fiamme Oro sports group. Her passion for archery began at the age of 10 during a family trip when, passing by an archery range, she shot her first arrows and instantly fell in love with the sport — so much so that she gave up dance to pursue it. Gifted with outstanding focus and precision, she quickly established herself as one of the leading figures in Italian archery.
Her career includes major achievements both at youth and senior levels, particularly in field archery and on the international circuit. She has won world and European titles both individually and as part of a team in field archery, and her medal collection also includes gold at the 2022 World Games, team silver at the 2022 Mediterranean Games, and double bronze (individual and team) at the 2023 European Games. She has also earned multiple podium finishes in World Cup, Grand Prix, and Italian Championships events.
Rebagliati has represented Italy at two Olympic Games — Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 — reaching the round of 16 in the individual event in France and also competing in the mixed team event alongside Mauro Nespoli.
A law student at the University of Insubria, she was named FITARCO Athlete of the Year for 2021–2022 and was honoured in 2025 among the "Stelle nello Sport" in Liguria. Outside of competition, she also works as a coach and enjoys cooking and listening to music in her spare time. When she shoots, she focuses solely on herself — just her, the bow, and the target.
Angelo Crescenzo (born 5 August 1993 in Sarno, Salerno province) is one of Italy’s most accomplished karate athletes on the international scene, specialising in kumite (under 60 kg category). He began his martial arts journey at a young age, initially practising kickboxing before switching to karate at the age of 10, following in the footsteps of his brother Michele. He trained at Shirai Club San Valentino under coach Antonio Califano, and his talent and passion soon led to notable results and a national team call-up at just 16 years old.
Among his many achievements, Crescenzo’s most prestigious title came in 2018, when he became the first Italian to win a world title in his category at the World Championships in Madrid. His world-level medal collection includes silver in Dubai (2021) and bronze in Budapest (2023). At the European Championships, he boasts three podiums: gold in Guadalajara (2023), silver in the same city in 2019, and another silver in Novi Sad (2018). He also won bronze at the European Games in Minsk (2019) and Cracow (2023).
Thanks to his consistency and discipline — even during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic — Crescenzo achieved his dream of qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where he competed in the –67 kg category, exiting in the opening round.
Renowned for his speed, explosiveness in counter-attacks, and athletic prowess, he represents the Italian Army sports group and is regarded as a role model within the karate community. His aggressive yet controlled fighting style, combined with a strong work ethic and relentless drive for improvement, makes him one of the most respected and well-rounded athletes on the global stage.
Italia Team selected for 18th Summer European Youth Olympic Festival in North Macedonia
- EYOF
The Italia Team for the 18th Summer edition of the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF), scheduled to take place from 20 to 26 July in North Macedonia, has been officially announced. Earlier today, the National Executive Board of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) confirmed the composition of the Azzurri delegation, which will travel to Skopje this Saturday. Leading the team as Chef de Mission is Elisa Santoni, supported by Alessio Boggiatto and Pauline Mellet as Deputy Heads.
With over three decades of history, the EYOF stands as the largest multi-sport event in Europe dedicated to young athletes aged 14 to 18. Held under the auspices of the European Olympic Committees, the Festival offers participants a first taste of Olympic values and a valuable opportunity to gain experience on the road to future elite competitions and potentially the Olympic Games.
Skopje 2025 will welcome more than 4,000 athletes and officials from 49 European National Olympic Committees. Alongside the Macedonian capital, the cities of Kumanovo and Osijek (Croatia) will also host events: Kumanovo will stage cycling and basketball, while artistic gymnastics competitions will take place in Osijek. Team Italy will compete in 12 of the 15 disciplines on the programme – not participating in basketball, 3x3, and handball – fielding a total of 116 athletes (60 boys and 56 girls).
Among those selected is Arianna Bovolenta, daughter of the late Vigor Bovolenta, Olympic silver medallist at Atlanta 1996, and former international volleyball player Federica Lisi. Arianna is also the sister of Alessandro Bovolenta, gold medallist at the EYOF Banská Bystrica 2022 and now part of the senior national team under coach Fefè De Giorgi. Also following in the footsteps of their sporting families are teammates Vanessa Hernandez, daughter of Osvaldo Hernandez (three-time Olympian for Cuba and Scudetto winner with Piaggio Roma in 2000), and Stella Caruso, daughter of former Italy international Guendalina Buffon and niece of football legend Gianluigi Buffon.
At the previous edition held in Maribor, Slovenia, Italy topped the overall medal table with a remarkable haul of 46 podium finishes (16 golds, 18 silvers, and 12 bronzes).
The EYOF will once again be featured on ItaliaTeamTV, the CONI’s OTT platform, which will provide extensive coverage of the competitions involving Italy’s rising stars.
Team Italy for Skopje 2025
ATHLETICS (28 athletes: 12 girls, 16 boys)
Valentina Adamo, Sophie Barbagallo, Ylenia Bernardo, Caterina Caligiana, Margherita Castellani, Kelly Ann Maevane Dualla Edimo, Laura Frattaroli, Sofia Marcucci, Lovely Giusti, Isabella Pastore, Beatrice Stagnaro, Alessia Succo, Mattia Bartolini, Gabriele Belardi, Matteo Berardo, Juan Jose Caggia, Umed Caraccio, Luca Cavazzuti, Antony Del Pioluogo, Tamirat Del Prete, Leonardo Di Mugno, Edwin Fermin Galvan, Enrico Galloni, Diego Mancini, Marco Mangani, Matteo Sorci, Filippo Vedana, Nicolò Vidal
BADMINTON (2: 1 girl, 1 boy)
Margherita Tognetti, Alessio Catalfamo
CANOEING (4: 2 girls, 2 boys)
Elisa Montaldo, Vittoria Cuignon, Elias Costa, Dennis Fina
CYCLING (8: 4 girls, 4 boys)
Anna Bonassi, Matilde Carretta, Jolanda Sambi, Mariachiara Signorelli (MTB), Tommaso Cingolani, Riccardo Longo, Brian Paris, Walter Vaglio (MTB)
ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS (6: 3 girls, 3 boys)
Sofia Bianchi, Mia Proietti, Giulia Santinato, Pietro Mazzola, Ivan Rigon, Riccardo Ruggeri
JUDO (12: 6 girls, 6 boys)
Iulia Airola Granaci, Marika Cavaglià, Anita Comba, Aurora Ferro, Flavia Gresi, Elisa Palermo, Antonio Capezzuto, Michele Corsica, Giuseppe Gesuele, Thomas Ghidoni, Simone Iurato, Erik Semanjaku
SWIMMING (16: 8 girls, 8 boys)
Giorgia Barozzi, Sofia Biagi, Lucrezia Boncio, Alessandra Mao, Michelle Montagnini, Sofia Napoli, Hannah Oberhauser, Giorgia Punturieri, Jacopo Apicerni, Boris Bandiera, Francesco Cecconi, Davide D'Elia, Daniele Fiorelli, Vincenzo Maniaci, Giorgio Sartori, Luca Soriani
VOLLEYBALL (24: 12 girls, 12 boys)
Arianna Bovolenta, Stella Caruso, Stella Cornelli, Virginia Di Napoli, Julia Gordon, Sara Grossi, Alice Guerra, Vanessa Hernandez Suarez, Alessia Manda, Perla Massaglia, Lisa Dharma Monari Gamba, Miranda Vittoria Zanella, Gabriele Arcifa, Pietro Carlo Bevilacqua, Martino Bigozzi, Vittorio Bonandrini, Diego Bussolari, Gioele Costa, Francesco Crosato, Riccardo Della Ventura, Gioele Imperato, Nicola Massari, Edoardo Trotta, Pietro Valgiovio
TAEKWONDO (10: 5 girls, 5 boys)
Anna Frassica, Ludovica Fugazza, Virginia Lampis, Emanuela Palmisano, Lucia Pezzolla, Francesco Destino, Hamza Laantri, Gabriele Fernando Rosato, Nicolò Sevagian, Abderrahman Touiar
TABLE TENNIS (2: 1 girl, 1 boy)
Laura Alba Pinna, Erik Paulina
SHOOTING (4: 2 girls, 2 boys)
Alice Bruno, Agnese Formieri, Alessandro Lonardi, Loris Quarta
Circolo Nautico Posillipo celebrates Centenary and Collare d'Oro. Buonfiglio: “It has contributed to Naples’ growth”
- CONI
A special honour marked a grand evening celebrating a club that has made — and continues to make — history in Italian sport.
Luciano Buonfiglio, President of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), attended the gala evening commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Circolo Nautico Posillipo, founded in Naples on 9 July 1925. Over the years, the club has excelled across a range of disciplines, including canoeing, rowing, swimming, fencing, tennis, triathlon, sailing, and above all, water polo. In the latter, Posillipo boasts a remarkable trophy haul: eleven national titles, three Champions Leagues, and two Coppa delle Coppe. This year, the club has returned to European competition under the expert leadership of coach Pino Porzio, who was inducted into the Walk of Fame at Foro Italico this May alongside his brother Franco, both of whom wore the club’s iconic red and green cap during their playing days.
The evening also paid tribute to two historic milestones: the 40th anniversary of the club’s first national title (1985) and the 20th anniversary of its last Champions League triumph (2005).
“When a sports club turns 100, it means it has helped shape the growth of an entire city,” Buonfiglio remarked. “This is a club that produces not only medals but also social value. It shapes young women and men to grow with respect for others, to be committed, to know what they want to achieve and to work as a team. A club like Posillipo has produced thousands of remarkable individuals”. Buonfiglio, himself a former canoeing international, first discovered sport at the historic Neapolitan club.
Among those attending the celebration were Gaetano Manfredi, Mayor of Naples; Roberto Fico, former President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies; Aldo Campagnola, President of Circolo Nautico Posillipo; Vice Presidents Maurizio Marinella and Filippo Smaldone; members of the club’s Board of Directors; numerous olympic and world champions; and prominent figures from the world of sport. These included Giovanni Malagò, President of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation, IOC member and former CONI President; Andrea Abodi, Minister for Sport and Youth; Paolo Barelli, President of the Italian Swimming Federation; Davide Tizzano, President of the Italian Rowing Federation; Andrea Mancino, President of the Italian Federation for Billiards and Bowling; CONI board members Sandro Cuomo and Luca Piscopo, and many other sporting greats with deep ties to the Posillipo club.
The evening was also the occasion to unveil the Collare d’Oro al Merito Sportivo (Gold Collar of Sporting Merit), Italy’s highest sporting honour, which will be formally awarded to the Circolo Nautico Posillipo this December during the traditional ceremony held annually in Rome.
Buonfiglio e tanti grandi ospiti al centenario del Circolo Nautico Posillipo
First official appearance for CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio at the Settecolli: “An honour to award our athletes”
- FORO ITALICO
Luciano Buonfiglio, newly appointed President of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), made his first official appearance on the national stage at the 61st edition of the Settecolli Trophy, held at Foro Italico in Rome. On the second day of competition, he presented an award to rising swimming star Sara Curtis, one of the brightest young talents in Italian swimming (photo: Scala-Staccioli/FIN).
“Being here with Paolo Barelli and the Italian Swimming Federation, one of the most decorated and socially engaged federations in our sporting landscape, is a wonderful way to begin this journey,” said Buonfiglio. “Honouring these athletes is an emotional privilege. Athletes must be at the heart of our priorities – not just in words, but in action”.
“It’s a pleasure to have such a large audience and to welcome President Buonfiglio,” commented Paolo Barelli, President of the Italian Swimming Federation. “We’ve been friends for a long time, and while I didn’t vote for him, I’m very glad he’s here. He’s a President who has competed at the highest level and knows what it means to be an athlete. CONI must focus its efforts on athletes, sports clubs, and federations. I wish him well in serving the interests of Italian sport – but let’s remember, he doesn’t have a magic wand to solve every problem overnight”.
Il neo Presidente del CONI Luciano Buonfiglio al Trofeo Settecolli
Elective National Council: Luciano Buonfiglio elected new CONI President, Bianchedi and Di Paola appointed Vice Presidents
- CONI
Luciano Buonfiglio has been elected President of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) for the 2025–2028 quadrennium. The decision was taken this morning during the 309th Elective National Council held at the Multipurpose Hall of the “Giulio Onesti” Olympic Preparation Centre in Rome.
Mr Buonfiglio, a 74-year-old sports executive from Naples and President of the Italian Canoe Kayak Federation since 2005, received 47 votes in the first ballot, securing an absolute majority among the 81 eligible electors. He is the first Neapolitan and the first Olympian - having competed at the 1976 Montreal Games in the K-4 1000m sprint canoe event - to be appointed President in CONI’s history.
The outgoing President, Giovanni Malagò, was acknowledged for his twelve years of leadership. In his inaugural remarks, President Buonfiglio expressed gratitude and underlined the importance of international representation, calling for unity and commitment within the organisation: “I thank Giovanni for the work he has done over these past twelve years. I also wish to extend my warmest regards to Luca Pancalli for his integrity, and to the IOC members present, who represent an essential added value. Italy must continue to play a central role on the international stage. It is only through active participation that we can truly make an impact. The time has now come to act. I urge everyone to approach the next steps with reason as well as passion”.
The assembly was chaired by CONI Vice President Claudia Giordani, Olympic silver medallist at the 1976 Innsbruck Winter Games. For the first time in the Committee’s history, a woman presided over an Elective National Council.
Following the conclusion of the Council, the newly elected National Executive Board convened and proceeded to appoint the Vice Presidents:
Acting Deputy President: Diana Bianchedi
Deputy President: Marco Di Paola
Additionally, Mr Carlo Mornati was confirmed in his role as General Secretary of CONI.
The following individuals were elected as members of the National Executive Board:
Representatives of FSN-DSA:
Laura Lunetta (Dance Sport and Musical Sports) – 37 votes
Diana Bianchedi – 36 votes
Marco Di Paola (Equestrian Sports) – 33 votes
Francesco Ettorre (Sailing) – 32 votes
Francesco Montini – 31 votes
Tania Cagnotto – 28 votes
Giovanni Copioli (Motorcycling) – 28 votes
Athletes’ Representatives:
Valentina Rodini (Rowing) – 39 votes
Giampaolo Ricci (Basketball) – 10 votes
Coaches’ Representative:
Elisabet Spina (Football) – 46 votes
Representative of Sports Promotion Bodies:
Juri Morico (OPES) – 55 votes
Representative of Regional Committees:
Marco Riva – 57 votes
Representative of Provincial Delegates:
Domenico Ignozza – 43 votes
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