Lausanne named Winter Youth Olympic Games host for 2020

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today named Lausanne, Switzerland, as the host city of the 3rd Winter Youth Olympic Games in 2020. Lausanne, home to the IOC headquarters since 1915 and known as the Olympic Capital, was chosen over Brasov, Romania, during a vote at the 128th IOC Session in Kuala Lumpur, with 71 votes to Brasov’s 10.

In line with Olympic Agenda 2020, the IOC’s strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement, approved last December, the Evaluation Commission for the Winter Youth Olympic Games 2020 focused its assessment of the two Candidate Cities for the first time on the key opportunities and risks associated with both bids and a focus on the athletes’ experience. The Commission, chaired by IOC Member in China Yang Yang, noted that both Lausanne and Brasov were capable of organising the Games. Lausanne was praised in particular for its good use of existing, temporary and demountable venues, in line with Olympic Agenda 2020 sustainability reforms.

Lausanne 2020 organisers have proposed 10 to 19 January 2020 as the dates for the Games. Over 1,000 athletes ranging in age from 15 to 18 are expected to compete at the Winter Youth Olympic Games 2020. Both YOG Candidate Cities were informed that a review of sports, disciplines and events will take place after the 2nd Winter Youth Olympic Games, due to be held in Lillehammer, Norway, in February 2016, and that the overall list of events would be completed approximately three years ahead of the Youth Olympic Games 2020.

President Bach will establish a Coordination Commission to assist Lausanne 2020 throughout its preparation period. The Youth Olympic Games are about competing, learning and sharing. They are a celebration of sport, youth, diversity and the Olympic values. They also exemplify the fundamental principle of Olympism to blend sport with culture and education. At the heart of the learn-and-share approach, a set of unique activities endeavours to equip the young athletes with sport and life skills; propose an innovative and powerful introduction to Olympism; and inspire participants to become ambassadors of the Olympic values. The 1st Winter Youth Olympic Games were held in Innsbruck, Austria in 2012. The 2nd edition is scheduled to take place from 12 to 21 February 2016 in Lillehammer, Norway.

PM Renzi to Malagò: “Full and total governmental support for the bid”

The Italian Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi, met this morning with the president of CONI, Giovanni Malagò at the Palazzo Chigi.

During the course of the meeting, which lasted around 45 minutes, they tackled a series of issues relating to the world of sport, starting with the candidacy of Rome for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“On behalf of the Government, I confirm full and total support for the bid of Rome”, said the Prime Minister to the President, to which he informed Renzi of his imminent trip to Kuala Lumur to participate in the 128th CIO Session. “Giovanni, give my regards to President Bach and tell him that I hope to meet him soon, I’d be pleased if he were to come to Italy”.

Malagò also updated Renzi on the development of the bid after the Boston withdrawal and on the situation of the international scene in light of the Agenda 2020.

“I am very happy with the conversation I had with Prime Minister Renzi – declared Malagò as he returned to his office at the Foro Italico -. It was a great meeting. Renzi and the Government are by our side and this gives us great strength in view of the Olympics. I leave for Kuala Lumpur even more optimistic. I have already informed President Luca of Montezemolo of the agenda. Among other things Renzi has told me that he will soon appoint a Minister for Sport”.

Among other issues, we also discussed details of sport in relation to the ISTAT [Italian Institute of National Statistics], Sport in Schools, ‘The Good School’ project, Italy’s candidacy for the 2022 Ryder Cup and for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. “Renzi – concluded Malagò – will be with me in Monza on the 6 September at the Formula 1 Grand Prix and has promised that he will do his best to be in Rio for a few days for the 2016 Olympic Games”.

Ambassadors to promote Rome 2024 around the world

The Foreign Affairs Ministry and the network of Italian embassies around the world today agreed to support Rome’s bid to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The president of the Rome 2024 bid committee, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, the president of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) Giovanni Malagò and the general manager of the committee, Claudia Bugno, were invited to be guests at the annual ambassadors’ conference, a meeting which is traditionally only attended by members of the Italian ambassador network. In a series of presentations, Rome’s bid leaders set out the city’s vision for bringing the Games back to the Italian capital for the first time since 1960.

Following the presentations, which highlighted the bid’s organizational plans and the International Olympic Committee’s bidding process, the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Ambassadors gave their full support to the bid and pledged to promote Rome during the course of the two year campaign, which will be decided in Lima, Peru in 2017. The backing of the Ambassadors and the Foreign Affairs Ministry is the latest strong declaration of support for Rome’s bid and follows the declarations of the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister and the Federal and Rome Municipal Government.

Presentation of "Sport, a shining light in the Made-in-Italy" with the Minister Pinotti. Malagò: a valuable project

Today CONI’s President Giovanni Malagò, the Minister of Defense Roberta Pinotti and the Director of the State Property Agency presented the project “Sport, a shining light in the Made-in-Italy”– at the Foro Italico Tennis Club. The meeting was also attended by the Italian Undersecretary for the Ministry of Economy and Finance Pier Paolo Baretta, the President of the Italian Association Confindustria Alberghi Giorgio Palmucci, the CEO of Invitalia, Domenico Arcuri and the President of the Italian Agency for the Promotion and Internationalization of Italian Companies Riccardo Monti. There were also the CEO of Coni Servizi Alberto Miglietta, The president of Federbocce Romolo Rizzoli, the President of FIDASC Felice Buglione and many representatives of the Federal world.

The project, named FARi, [lighthouses] which was born within the frame of “Valore Paese-DIMORE”, is supported by the State Property Agency and the Ministry of Defense, through Difesa Servizi Spa, in co-operation with CONI, and aims to envision new ways to use the FARIs, as is already the case in many European countries, but also in the USA, Canada and Australia. Such use has to start from an innovative and sustainable entrepreneurial idea, thus enriching the country’s offer in terms of tourist and hotel facilities. The best way to make use of the public heritage, focusing on Italian excellence, like Sport. Today, the FARI network includes 11 state-owned property units to be soon offered on the market, via licensing, according to a model that respects the landscape in line with the identities of the land and its environment.

President Malagò (in the photograph Mezzelani GMT) who made the opening speech underlines the importance of the initiative and the focal role played by sport. “There is an unbreakable bond, a huge affinity between sport and tourism. Just think of the number of Olympic and non-Olympic water disciplines to immediately understand the potential this project encompasses. Our world can provide added value for the full recovery and enhancement of these wonderful symbols of our Country”.

The Ministry of Defense Roberta Pinotti expressed her satisfaction. “The supporting role of sport is essential in enhancing the Faris, owing to the great relevance that water sport disciplines have, even at the educational level. We opened a public consultation to enhance the Faris. It is a project that can even be extended to other property belonging to the Ministry of Defense, whose partial use does not make sense. It is wrong that there is little or no benefit at all coming from state-owned property. The dual use, which renders the Defence’s property available and accessible to third parties, may help exploit them in a convenient manner and fully recover them. Yes, we are ready to enlist sport to build emotions that are beneficial for the Italian people”.

Roberto Reggi, Director of the State Property Agency, has further broadened the scope. “We are working hard with local authorities, we need to share with them the final destination. We started out with this initiative through which we meant to recover appealing property and buildings that we cannot let decay. The state had no financial resources to do that, so opening the way to individuals has fostered social impact and interest for local improvement. Sport expressed attention for the Faris, even concerning the educational aspect”.

Words of praise for the project also came from Giorgio Palmucci, the President of the Italian Association Confindustria Alberghi. “We soon trusted the initiative, because we believed that the interaction between the public and the private sectors is always the winning ingredient to make our Country more and more appealing”.

Domenico Arcuri, CEO of Invitalia, analized the figures to explain the excellence of the initiative: “Now Italy is the 5th most tourist-attracting Country: the citizens of the world prove that we have not been able to maintain such attractiveness. The public and private sectors together can take us away and let us make up for this loss in the ranking”.

Riccardo Maria Monti, President of the Italian Agency for the Promotion ad Internationalization of italian Companies ICE-ITA, ended the presentation saying: “There has been a revival of interest for Italy from foreign investors, even for niche property. They ask for reasonable obligations to realize ambitious projects. I am confident that we will involve serious investors, levering on their love for Italy to give shape to this project”.

European Youth Festival in Tbilisi. 104 Azzurri competing

A festival for children and sport. With this at the heart of it, the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) was established twenty-four years ago by the European Olympic Committee under the patronage of the IOC. From the 26 July to the 1 August, the 13th EYOF will be held in Tbilisi (Georgia) and will see athletes under the age of 18 participating in 9 categories. The Italian team, consisting of 104 athletes (60 boys and 44 girls), will compete in the events of Athletics, Basketball, Cycling, Gymnastics, Judo, Swimming, Tennis and Volleyball. The only events without Italian athletes will be women’s handball and women’s basketball.

The 104 young Azzurri:

Athletics (24): Cavagna Enrico, Marchei Mario, Albrecht Michael, Barontini Simone, Grieco Vincenzo, Tindaro Lisa, Ghinassi Niccolò, Faidiga Cristian, Zagotto Mattia, Motta Andrea, Dallavalle Andrea, Proietti Andrea, Balloni Marco Giuseppe, Chirico Omar, De Masi Arianna, Vandi Elisabetta, Di Benedetti Sara, Tozzi Martina, Gennari Rebecca, Sansa Giorgia, De Martin Rebecca, Varriale Elena, Martinis Isabella, Visca Carolina.

Basket (12): Acunzo Mattia, Berra Gabriele, Cerisola Tommaso, Garofolo Federico, Giovanardi Pietro, Graziani Matteo, Miaschi Federico, Morgillo Alessandro, Palumbo Mattia, Provenzani Vincenzo, Tartamella Lorenzo, Zampini Federico.

Cycling (6): Gazzoli Michele, Innocenti Andrea, Manfredi Samuele, Pirrone Elena, Paternoster Letizia, Guazzini Vittoria.

Gymnastics (6): Cereghetti Caterina, Linari Francesca Noemi, Maggio Martina, Galli Lorenzo, Garza Luca Lino, Patron Stefano.

Judo (12): Bellandi Alice (70 KG), Calagreti Annalisa (+ 70 KG), Carlino Luca (55 KG), D'Angelo Biagio (50 KG), Esposito Giovanni (66 KG), Petitto Sofia (44 KG), Galliani Arianna (40 KG), Gamba Giacomo (73 KG), Lisoni Chiara (63 KG), Lombardo Manuel (60 KG), Santini Giulia (48 KG), Truffo Marco (+ 90 KG).

Swimming (16): Borra Giulia, Rebusco Giulia, Mascolo Annachiara, Berton Giulia, Gusperti Sara, Birro Aurora, Cavagnoli Vanessa, Buriassi Megan, Guidolin Davide, Fava Emanuel, Barison Giovanni, Razzetti Alberto, Martinenghi Niccolò, Facciolà Andrea, Bortuzzo Manuel Mateo, Chirico Luca.

Volley (24): Boldini Jennifer, Bartolini Benedetta, Masiero Marta, Nwakalor Sylvia Chinelo, Colombo Sasha, Negretti Beatrice, Moro Ilenia, Pistolesi Aurora, Gardini Alessia, Tenti Beatrice, Mazzon Alessia, Mazzon Giorgia. Zoppellari Francesco, Sbertoli Riccardo, Caneschi Edoardo, Di Martino Gabriele, Maiocchi Matteo, Zonca Paolo, Margutti Pietro, Galassi Gianluca, Cester Davide, Fantini Jacopo, Cominetti Roberto, Piccinelli Alessandro.

Tennis (4): Bosio Gabriele, Perin Riccardo, Ivaldi Benedetta, Piccinetti Lisa .

Malagò and Mamadou Ndiaye Diagna sign the sport cooperation agreement between Italy and Senegal

The President of CONI, Giovanni Malagò, and the President of the Olympic Committee of Senegal, Mamadou Ndiaye Diagna, signed today at the Foro Italico a cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening relations between the two Olympic Committees for the achievement of common goals.

The signing of the agreement was also attended by the Secretary General of CONI, Roberto Fabbricini, the Secretary General of the Olympic Committee of Senegal, Seydina Omar Diagne, the unforgettable Senegalese champion of 400 metres hurdles that won the silver in Seoul '88 and current first Vice-President of the World Olympians Association, El Hadj Amadou Dia Ba, and the technical consultant of the Olympic Preparation, Elio Locatelli.

The agreement provides for the exchange of programs and experiences - also through reciprocal visits of sporting teams - in addition to the sharing of information regarding the competitive structures and the specialized courses. This synergy will also facilitate the use of coaches' expertise, the organization of training camps and the promotion of ideas and initiatives in the field of scientific research applied to sport.

The President of the Olympic Committee of Senegal, Ndiaye, expressed his satisfaction. "I am proud of this agreement which strengthens links of cooperation and friendship between our two Olympic Committees, promoting and strengthening the Federations in view of future international commitments, also thanks to special programs". The President of CONI Giovanni Malagò further extended the concept. "We take pride in this cooperation with Senegal: such agreements are essential in a logic of mutual growth. It is a good business card for the Italian sports system, because the sharing of know-how helps us to internationally increase prestige and consideration and it is vital to encourage, in some areas, significant experiences on the technical field".

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The Italian delegation welcomed by the IOC in Lausanne

The Italian team representing the candidacy of Rome for the Olympic Games in 2024 arrived today in Lausanne, at the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach said Thursday that he was impressed by Rome's dedication to its bid to host the 2024 Summer Olympics. "I'm impressed by how the city of Rome has taken its bid for the 2024 Olympics to heart," Bach told an Italian delegation led by Rome Mayor Ignazio Marino and Cabinet Secretary Claudio De Vincenti in Lausanne for the first technical meeting with the candidate cities. "Rome has everything needed to be a candidate for the 2024 Olympics," said Marino. The Italian capital is, so far, facing competition from Boston, Hamburg, Paris and Budapest for the Games.
Rome hosted the epic 1960 Olympics and carried off a largely successful edition of the World Swimming Championships in 2009.
The city has said that many of the required sports facilities are operational and would only need upgrading, meaning it could hold a relative low cost event.These facilities include the Stadio Olimpico which has a running track for athletics.
   

"There won't be white elephants in 2024, useless works that offend our heritage," Marino said as he presented the bid.
 "We want to do things properly, with sobriety and without waste".
He added that the legacy of the 2024 Games will belong to the "whole world" as, if Rome lands the Olympics, the games will further enhance one of the globe's most beautiful cities.
"Everything that will be built for the 2024 Games will be done in a way to preserve and celebrate the history and beauty of Rome and will enrich and develop both," Marino said. "The 1960 Olympics teach us a lot. They were the symbol of the economic boom, of the prosperity and growth that gripped Italy and Europe as a whole after the tragedy of the World War.
"The 1960 Games are universally remembered as the first to be televised. The 2024 Olympics will be the Olympics of social media, with thousands of images sent by the television networks and bounced in the individual networks with thousands of different tones. Billions of different people will tell each other the story of their Olympics. So we are faced with another epoch-making change".

In the photo, from the left: the Secretary to the Prime Minister, Claudio De Vincenti; the Director General of Roma 2024 Committee, Claudia Bugno; the President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach; the Mayor of Rome, Ignazio Marino; and the Secretary General of CONI, Roberto Fabbricini.

Olympics, the IOC evaluates Rome's bid

The candidature of Rome for 2024 is on. Tomorrow will arrive in Lausanne, the Italian delegation, whose members include the Secretary to the Prime Minister, Claudio De Vincenti, representing the Government, the Mayor of Rome, Ignazio Marino, and the Director General of the Committee for Rome 2024, Claudia Bugno, and will explain to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) the assets of candidature of Rome for the Olympic Games, in a full-day technical meeting that will also serve to acquire additional elements for the elaboration of thematic chapters of the dossier.

The Italian team will be also composed of the Secretary General of CONI, Roberto Fabbricini, the Advisor to the Minister of Economy, Giuseppe Fortunato, the Councilor for Heritage of the City of Rome, Alessandra Cattoi, experts of CONI and representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, of the Lazio Region, of the City Council of Rome, of the Union of Industrialists of Lazio and of the Chamber of Commerce of Rome. A delegation open to the intervention of every economic, social and sporting force in the country aimed to give more strength to the application process.

The meeting in Lausanne allows all candidate cities to illustrate a project that meets its sporting, economic and social needs, but also to collect important information from the IOC, after the changes introduced by Agenda 2020, especially in terms of legacy and expectations. The agenda of the meeting of 16 July includes a brief speech by President Thomas Bach, followed by greetings by De Vincenti and Mayor Marino, and a first session in which representatives of the IOC will present the elements of the application process and the technical aspects related to the organization of the Games. In the afternoon, the Italian delegation will focus instead on the work done by the Committee and will highlight the strengths of the city, in a Q&A session with the leaders of the IOC.

Montezemolo: Presence of Government Authorities at the meeting with IOC is fundamental

"The Italian Government's decision to participate in the first technical meeting in Lausanne by sending the Secretary to the Prime Minister Claudio De Vincenti is an important signal for the candidature of Rome to the Olympics." These were the words of Luca Cordero Montezemolo, President of the Bid Committee for Rome 2024.

"The Government officially enters the game,” added Montezemolo, “and joins the Italian delegation that on July 16, in the headquarters of the IOC, which will face the first steps for the preparation of the dossier and the so-called official business plan of Rome in 2024."

"I am also pleased to see that Italy finally shows teamwork that was often missing on other similar occasions: Claudia Bugno, Director General of the Committee for Rome 2024, and the Secretary General of CONI, Roberto Fabbricini, will be in fact accompanied by Giuseppe Fortunato, Advisor to the Minister of Economy, Padoan, by the Councilor of Heritage of the City of Rome, Alessandra Cattoi, by the delegate for Security of the Ministry of Interior Affairs and by numerous representatives of the business, the institutions and the sport communities," concluded the President of the Bid Committee for Rome 2024.

Press release on the case of Alex Schwarzer

The Anti-Doping Prosecutor's Office (UPA), in reference to the instance made by Alex Schwarzer pursuant to art. 4.6.1.2 of the CSA and the conclusion of its investigation, announces that they have sent today a reasoned opinion to the WADA and the IAAF in accordance with art. 11.2 of the CSA.

In this regard, the UPA has a negative opinion of the request for suspension of the judgement issued by the TNA in its decision on 23 April 2013, while stating that, even if these bodies would consider to accommodate this request, any possible suspension of the penalty should not exceed three months.