Statement by the National Council
Meeting no. 244 of the CONI National Council convened this morning at 11:00am – at the Foro Italico – to discuss the following agenda:
1) Approval of the minutes of the meeting of 26 February 2016: The minutes were approved unanimously.
2) Communications by President: Malagò opened the discussions by commemorating the protagonists of the sporting world who have departed in the past two months stressing the importance of the results obtained by the Italian athletes in the same period. The President then congratulated Francesco Ricci Bicci for his confirmation at the head of ASOIF, and commended Flavio Roda, President of FISI, for the extraordinary results achieved throughout the season (4 World Cups in 4 disciplines). Best wishes were instead expressed to Sergio Mignardi, President of the Hockey Federation, for a quick recovery after he was injured in a road accident. The investiture of the standard-bearer was subsequently celebrated: there was major agreement over the choice of Federica Pellegrini, nominated the day after the retirement from competitive sports activities of Valentina Vezzali, last Italian standard-bearer in the Summer Olympics. On June 22, the ceremony of the presentation of the flag will be held at the Quirinale Palace with Federica Pellegrini and Martina Caironi.
The President stressed the good relations shared with the Government, which is currently working on the distribution of TV rights and on the complex issues regarding the law on professionalism of 1981. It is necessary to consider, in fact, that the female athletes are demanding a formal recognition of juridical nature. Regarding 2024, we proceed with common intentions: the 4 days spent in Lausanne with Montezemolo and the Committee’s staff, during the SportAccord elections, have served to bring forward an excellent relational work. In the coming days, moreover, a series of consultations will take place with all the mayoral candidates to talk about issues concerning said candidacy. The question of sports events in Italy was then broached: a letter by the IOC has been received urging not to organize further events in our Country before September 2017, with the exception of those already scheduled or foreseen, to avoid conditioning the candidacy.
After discussing the “Sport e Periferie” project, with the purposely instituted Committee that is completing the assessment of around 2000 applications received, the delicate issue of doping was tackled, in reference to the positive testing of Niccolò Mornati, a circumstance that has hurt the President’s feelings and made him reflect. For this reason, it was announced that, at the end of his mandate, Malagò will not stand for re-election at the head of the Aniene, to avoid any kind of interpretation of the role. It was also pointed out that – at the Board meeting – Carlo Mornati handed in his delegations relative to his role as Deputy Secretary General and Olympic Training Manager, including that of Head of Mission in Rio. The Board unanimously rejected such hypothesis, reasserting full support to Mornati and expressing appreciation for his accomplishments. The President also stated how this occurrence confirms the effectiveness of the activities conducted by the anti-doping body.
Malagò reported the nominations of the new BoD of Coni Servizi for the 2016-2018 period which is thus composed: Franco Chimenti, President, Alberto Miglietta, Francesco Parlato, Giovanna Boda and Annarita Balzani, Directors. The proposal will be brought to the attention of the Assembly to be convened on May 11.
Manco and Binaghi were also thanked for endorsing the agreement concerning the UISP-FIT controversy. Lastly, the 2016 CONI trophy will be held in Sardinia with the participation of 5 thousand children. It was announced that an extraordinary meeting of the National Council for the reformulation of the 2016 budget, also with reference to Antidoping, will be held on May 24. Input to the President’s report was delivered by: Franco Carraro (IOC member), Giovanni Petrucci (Basketball), Riccardo Agabio (Gymnastics), Raffaello Leonardo, Sabatino Aracu (Hockey and Skating), Ugo Salines (Representative of Sports Promotion Bodies), Vincenzo Manco (Sports Promotion Bodies), Angelo Binaghi (Tennis), Riccardo Viola (Representative of Peripheral Bodies), Vincenzo Medugno (Representative of Coaches), Sandro Rossi (Representative of Associated Disciplines), Angelo Sticchi Damiani (ACI), Alberto De Nigro (Auditor), Antonio Rossi (Representative of Athletes), Alberto Miglietta (Badminton).
2b) CONI Statute - Art. 2; Par. 4 – Homophobia: Unanimously approved
3) F.S.N.- D.S.A. - E.P.S. activities: the Council unanimously approved the deliberations concerning: regulations for special procedures in pursuance of art. 54 of the Code of Sporting Justice, UEFA Licences arbitration body regulations, extension of the role of Special Commissioner of the Italian Twirling Federation, maximum annual limit in number of non-EU athletes from 1185 to 1160, regulations of the Meritorious Associations.
4) Administrative affairs and CONI balance: CONI 2015 annual financial statements were unanimously approved. There being no other business, the meeting was closed at 12:55.
Statement by the National Board
Meeting no. 1046th of the CONI National Board was held this morning at the Foro Italico. It began with an update on Rome’s candidacy to the 2024 Olympic Games and that of Cortina d’Ampezzo to the 2021 Alpine Skiing World Championships.
The Board then unanimously approved the nomination of the Board of Directors of CONI Servizi for the 2016-2018 period, which is thus composed: Franco Chimenti, President, Alberto Miglietta, Francesco Parlato, Giovanna Boda and Annarita Balzani, Directors. The proposal will be brought to the attention of the Assembly to be convened on May 11.
Deputy Secretary Carlo Mornati, following the incident in which his brother Nicolò was found positive at an anti-doping test, handed in his delegations and assignments to the Board. After an extensive and in-depth discussion in which each Board member took the floor, the Board unanimously rejected Mornati’s resignations, confirming all his assignments. After examining a long series of other issues of organizational and administrative nature, and having passed the relative resolutions, the Board closed the meeting at 11:10 am.
Statement from the National Committee
This morning the 1045th meeting of the CONI National Committee was held at the Foro Italico, where proceedings began to approve the minutes of the meeting concerning the previous meeting on 26th February. In its statements, President Malagò wanted to share with the Committee the decision to choose Federica Pellegrini as Italy's flag-bearer at the upcoming 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. The Committee unanimously supported the choice. The President then announced the wish to submit for approval at the next National Council on 4th May the amendment to art.2 paragraph 4 of the Statute to include homophobia as one of the issues to tackle throughout sport. Focus than shifted on congratulating Francesco Ricci Bitti for his re-election as President of ASOIF.
The Committee was then updated on the developments of the relations between Federbasket and the International Federation concerning the participation of the Italian teams at the European cups. Malagò also informed the Committee that the IOC will not authorise new international events until September 2017 in compliance with the Code of Ethics for candidate cities for the 2024 Games.
The compulsory administration of the Italian Twirling Federation has been deferred with elections to be held on 22nd July. The CONI Trophy 2016 was launched which will be held in Sardinia from the 22nd to 25th September. A decision was made to propose to the National Council the entry limit of non-EU sportspersons 2016-2017 seasons to be set at 1,160 individuals, 25 less than last year. Finally, the Committee also approved CONI's 2015 financial statements. The resolution will be submitted for approval at the next National Council on 4th May. After reviewing a long list of other organisational and administrative issues, and having taken the relevant resolutions, the Committee called an end to proceedings at 11.45am. At that moment, Federica Pellegrini made her way into the Committee Room applauded by all the members of the Committee and thanked CONI for the honour bestowed upon her. Immediately after the meeting, Malagò, Pellegrini and the entire Committee went up to CONI's Salone d'Onore for the press conference to make the official announcement.
Federica Pellegrini standard bearer for Italy at Rio 2016
Federica Pellegrini will be the standard bearer for Italy at Rio 2016. The nomination of the swimming champion was formally announced by CONI President, Giovanni Malagò, to the Board members gathered today at Foro Italico. Pellegrini, Olympic gold in the 200m freestyle swimming race at Beijing 2008, has thus become the fifth female standard bearer at the Summer Games - the first was gymnast Miranda Cicognani at Helsinki 1952 - a historical moment also for swimming at large, which is now one of the disciplines honoured by the nomination of one of their athletes as standard bearer.
As the current world and European record holder for the 200 metres race, thanks to the silver won at the Kazan 2015 World championship, she has become the first female swimmer of all times to get onto the world championship podium six times in a row. Indeed, for more than ten years, since her second place in Montreal 2005, she has always been amongst the three queens in this speciality (two golds, three silvers and one bronze), winning also another two world golds in the 400 metres freestyle swimming.
Pellegrini will raise the Italian flag at Maracana the next 5 August, a date written in the stars: on the same date she will indeed be celebrating her 28th birthday, representing Italy in the most important sport event and crowning a perfect career, which she lives - as she has always done - in the name of skill, sacrifice and passion.
Italian standard bearers in the history of the Summer Olympic Games
Flame lit at Olympia, the journey to Rio begins
The fire, the myth, the solemnity of a historic moment. Renewed in the name of the legend of the 5 Olympic rings. A little more than 100 days from the start of the XXXI edition of the Summer Games - the Olympic flame was today lit in Olympia, continuing a tradition which began in Ancient Greece. The flame - which symbolises peace, unity and friendship, was lit as planned by the sun's rays, in front of thousands of visitors, scholars and media representatives from around the world (photo olympic.org).
The official ceremony was held in the presence of IOC President, Thomas Bach, the President of Greece, Prokopis Pavlopoulos, and representatives of the Greek Government and a Brazilian delegation led by the President of the Rio 2016 Organising Committee, Carlos Nuzman. The first torchbearer will be Greece's Lefteris Petrounias, world gymnastics champion, who will then pass the torch over to former Brazilian volleyball player Giovane Gavio, a double Olympic champion.
The torch will leave Athens at the end of the month and arrive in Brazil on 3rd May and will pass through more than 329 cities - covering over 20,000 kilometres courtesy of 12,000 torchbearers - before arriving in Rio de Janeiro on 4th August, the eve of the opening ceremony, due to take place at the Maracana Stadium.
“Together we can change the world”, IOC launches global promotional campaign
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today launched its global promotional campaign to communicate the Olympic Movement’s vision of building a better world through sport. With the aim of inspiring the spirit of unity, hope and peace for a better tomorrow, the campaign is entitled “Together we can change the world”.
The launch of the campaign coincides with the Olympic Flame lighting ceremony for the Olympic Games Rio 2016, at which the IOC President said “Like no other human activity, sport is about bringing people together in the spirit of friendship and respect. Sport always builds bridges, it never erects walls. In a world shaken by crises, the message that our shared humanity is greater than the forces that divide us, is more relevant than ever before. By coming together in unity to celebrate the rich diversity of our shared humanity, the Olympic Games give us all hope that a better world is possible. Together, we can change the world”.
The first phase of the campaign consists of four films: Together, Breath, Respect and Counting Stars. Each tells the story of the core Olympic values and their role in enhancing a united world through sport.
The soundtrack for the films was produced by renowned US musician Questlove, who re-recorded the song “The Fire”, originally by Questlove and The Roots, with top recording artists from across the world: Lenny Kravitz, Nneka, Yuna, Diogo Nogueira and Corinne Bailey Rae.
The voiceover for the PSA, recorded in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese, features cultural icons including Uma Thurman, Juliette Binoche, Paz Vega and Tais Araujo.
The spots will be aired around the world by the Olympic broadcast partners in the build-up to the Olympic Games Rio 2016.
Francesco Ricci Bitti confirmed President of ASOIF. Congratulations from Malagò
This afternoon in Lausanne, Francesco Ricci Bitti was confirmed as President of ASOIF, the association that unites the Summer Olympic International Sports Federations. The 74-year-old executive from Bologna, who was a member of the IOC from 2006 to 2012, was unanimously voted by the presidents of the world's federations. This represents Ricci Bitti's second term as ASOIF President having been elected for the first time in 2012. His appointment will run until 2020.
Among the first to congratulate Ricci Bitti was the President of CONI, Giovanni Malagò, and the President of the Organising Committee for Rome 2024, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, both of whom attended the meeting. "The re-election of Ricci Bitti is an important confirmation of the status that Italian executives have earned on an international level and certainly bodes well for Rome's bid ", stated Malagò.
"Save the Dream", new collaboration with Stefano Borgonovo Foundation
Stefano Borgonovo Foundation has partnered with Save the Dream to strengthen the message of sport as a vehicle of growth, education and values among new generations. Stefano Borgonovo has always pursued the objective of conveying to young players the positive values of sport, by promoting inclusion, integration and cultural exchange.
The collaboration between the Foundation and Save the Dream was launched today in Rome as part of the press conference related to the third edition of the 'Save the Dream Week', initiative of ICSS (International Centre for Sport Security) to raise funds for the volunteer international program "CSI for the world". Chantal Borgonovo was there and said: "Stefano started to play football on parish fields. I'm honored to be here to introduce the collaboration between Save the Dream and Stefano Borgonovo Foundation aimed at raising funds on research against ALS and promoting sport activities among young people with the best educational values".
Today is the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace
Today is the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) – a celebration of the power of sport to drive social change, unite people and promote a culture of peace. The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) is an annual celebration. Creating a historical link to the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, 6 April was declared the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 2013, and has been celebrated each year since 2014. The IOC, in its capacity of Permanent Observer to the UN, has been supportive of this initiative, as it values its potential to recognise sports organisations’ role in and contribution to social change and human development. Every day, everywhere around the world, organisations and individuals are using sport as a tool to improve education and health, to promote social inclusion and gender equality, and to foster reconciliation. Fight for Peace is one of them.
Press Release of the National Board
This morning, for the first time in its history in Palermo, meeting no.1044 of the CONI National Board took place, and it started with the approval of the minutes of the previous meeting of 26 February. In his communication, President Malagò congratulated the winter sports athletes that distinguished themselves significantly in this last period, which saw the gaining of four world cups that had never been won before (Federico Pellegrino, Peter Fill, Dorothea Wierer and Michela Moioli). He also congratulated Gianmarco Tamberi for his gold medal at the indoor athletics world championship and the other athletes that obtained the Olympic qualification for Rio 2016, raising the current number of participating athletes to 157 units. At the beginning of the proceedings, there were interventions by the Mayor of Palermo, Leoluca Orlando, who hosted the Board in the prestigious location of Villa Niscemi, and by the Sports Councillor for Sicily, Anthony Barbagallo.
The Board then got an update on the Rome 2024 candidature. The 2016 CONI Trophy was assigned to Sardinia, with the prior verification by the management of the financial assurances received. The Board then discussed the latest events in relation to the participation of Italian basketball teams to international competitions. After a broad discussion, the Board decided to invite "FIP (the Italian Basketball Federation) to verify urgently if the basketball premier league operations are in conflict with the principles of national and international sport legislation and, if so, to adopt all measures necessary (also with respect to the premier league) to reinstate compliance with the principles necessary to guarantee the regular commencement and continuation of high level sport competitions, both national and international. The 2016 service contract between CONI and CONI servizi was then approved.
The next National Council meeting was postponed to 4th May, starting at 11 am, while the Board meeting has been confirmed for 27 April at 10 am with the nomination of the standard-bearer for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. After having examined a long series of other organisational and administrative issues, and having formulated the necessary resolutions, the Board ended the meeting at 13:05.
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