Giorgio Armani dresses the Italian Team for the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games

• PYEONGCHANG 2018

Giorgio Armani, official outfitter of the 2018 Italian Olympic and Paralympic teams, will dress the athletes for the official opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games, to be held tomorrow in Pyeongchang, Korea.  

For the occasion, Armani has designed a blue outfit consisting of a long padded jacket with a hood made from technical fabric, with matching trousers. The outfit features the iconic Italian flag, and the first verse of the Italian national anthem printed inside the jacket, close to the heart. The overall impression is one of dynamic, sporty elegance, the essence of the Armani image and design identity. Matching shoes and a matching hat complete the look.

‘I always watch the Olympic Games, and our athletes, with great interest. Sport is a universal language that conveys excellent values and is able to bring people together. I am very happy about this renewed partnership. Designing the uniforms for the Italian team is an exciting stylistic exercise, and has resulted in pieces that combine comfort, ease of use, technical performance and elegance,’ says Giorgio Armani.

Casa Italia unveiled in PyeongChang

• TOWARDS THE GAMES

Arches, to announce the grandeur of a winning idea, twinkling lights, to illuminate the entrance to the heart of the enchanted forest. And finally, the tricolore, fluttering gracefully over the resort of Yongpyong. As of today, it sheds its golf club attire and readies itself for a special occasion. At the 23rd edition of the Winter Olympics, Yongpyong hosts Casa Italia, which gleamed in the eyes of the many visitors here to celebrate its unveiling. A round of applause softens the blow of the oppressing cold covering PyeongChang on the eve of the Games. It's a warm welcome, simple in its modernity, innovative and brilliant by design, and original in concept. Evoking a strong sense of immersion in the surrounding nature thanks to its glass walls, this modern refuge has already won the first medal of the expedition. With CONI President Giovanni Malagò doing the honours, alongside Vice Secretary General and Head of Mission Carlo Mornati in the company of Managing Director of CONI Servizi, Alberto Miglietta, the opening saw massive participation by IOC representatives. 61 members – including Italians Franco Carraro, Ivo Ferriani and honorary members Ottavio Cinquanta and Manuela Di Centa, as well as Francesco Ricci Bitti, President of ASOIF – the wife of President Bach, Claudia, 3 of the 4 Vice Presidents and 5 royals: Albert II, Prince of Monaco; Princess Nora of Liechtenstein; Prince Tunku Imran of Malaysia; Prince Feisal bin Al Hussein of Jordan, and Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg.

Casa Italia is the result of a project that aimed to promote Italian excellence in sport, art, design and hospitality, with a new vision: PROSPECTUM. The goal was to present our country through an internationally-recognised cultural invention: the representation of perspective. An idea that revolutionised the way of seeing reality, and which in Casa Italia 2018 has been updated and modernised by a contemporary style. Two levels and screens covering the wooden walls with images of the Italia Team, which intensify the “Fire on Ice” claim, also evoked by the furnishing and symbolic cauldron at the entrance, giving a sense of infinity that reveals the desire to make a mark.

President Malagò’s pride is affixed to a board, written in his own hand: “one house, one team, one Olympic Committee, one Nation, all on the same side... Sport. The Tricolore”. With satisfaction, he reiterates his thoughts before the reporters: “The enormous participation of IOC members is a sign that in terms of style, there is much to be learned from Italy.”

Italy’s representatives at PyeongChang: 121 athletes plus 2 reserves

• CONI

The composition of the Italian Team to the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games was officially announced today with the registration in Korea at the DRM (Delegation Registration Meeting). There are 121 athletes registered, together with two reserves (one in Italy in the Biathlon and one in Korea in the Bob). 

Of the 121 National Team members, 48 are women with a percentage of close to 40% (39,66). Overall 89 (plus two reserves) are the athletes of FISI (Federazione Italiana Sports Invernali [Italian Winter Sports Federation]) and 32 of FISG(Federazione Italiana Sport del Ghiaccio [Italian Ice Sports Federation]).

The oldest member of the delegation is the snowboarder Roland Fischnaller (37 years-old last September), while the absolute youngest is the ski jumper, Lara Malsiner, born on 14 April 2000, who becomes the first “millennial” in national team history to participate in the Olympic Games for Italy.  In fact, she turns 18 in April.

Here is the list of those registered with their relative Federations:

Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI)

BIATHLON (10) +1 reserve

Men (5): Thomas Bormolini, Thierry Chenal, Lukas Hofer, Giuseppe Montello, Dominik Windisch.

Women (5+1 riserve): Nicole Gontier, Alexia Runggaldier, Federica Sanfilippo, Lisa Vittozzi, Dorothea Wierer. Karin Oberhofer (reserve in Italiy).

BOBSLEIGH (4) +1 reserve

Men (4+1 riserve): Simone Bertazzo, Lorenzo Bilotti, Francesco Costa (rieserve in Corea), Simone Fontana, Mattia Variola.

NORDIC COMBINED (4)

Men: Raffaele Buzzi, Aaron Kostner, Alessandro Pittin, Lukas Runggaldier.

FREESTYLE SKIING (4)

Men (2): Siegmar Klotz, Stefan Thanei.

Women (2): Lucrezia Fantelli, Debora Pixner.

SKI JUMPING (8)

Men (4): Davide Bresadola, Federico Cecon, Sebastian Colloredo, Alex Insam.

Women (4): Evelyn Insam, Lara Malsiner, Manuela Malsiner, Elena Runggaldier.

ALPINE SKIING (20)

Men (11): Emanuele Buzzi, Luca De Aliprandini, Florian Eisath, Peter Fill, Stefano Gross, Christof Innerhofer, Matteo Marsaglia, Manfred Moelgg, Dominik Paris, Riccardo Tonetti, Alex Vinatzer.

Women (9): Marta Bassino, Federica Brignone, Chiara Costazza, Irene Curtoni, Nicol Delago, Nadia Fanchini, Sofia Goggia, Manuela Moelgg, Johanna Schnarf.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING (15)

Men (8): Mirco Bertolina, Francesco De Fabiani, Dietmar Noeckler, Federico Pellegrino, Maicol Rastelli, Sergio Rigoni, Giandomenico Salvadori, Stefan Zelger.

Women (7): Elisa Brocard, Anna Comarella, Ilaria Debertolis, Greta Laurent, Sara Pellegrini, Lucia Scardoni, Gaia Vuerich.

SKELETON (1)

Men (1): Joseph Luke Cecchini.

LUGE (9)

Men (7): Dominik Fischnaller, Kevin Fischnaller, Fabian Malleier, Ivan Nagler, Patrick Rastner, Emanuel Rieder, Ludwig Rieder.

Women (2): Sandra Robatscher, Andrea Voetter.

SNOWBOARD (14)

Men (9): Edwin Coratti, Mirko Felicetti, Roland Fischnaller, Michele Godino, Alberto Maffei, Aaron March, Emanuel Perathoner, Lorenzo Sommariva, Omar Visintin.

Women (5): Sofia Belingheri, Raffaella Brutto, Francesca Gallina, Michela Moioli, Nadya Ochner.

Italian Ice Sports Federation (FISG)

CURLING (5)

Men (5): Daniele Ferrazza, Simone Gonin, Amos Mosaner, Andrea Pilzer, Joel Thierry Retornaz.

FIGURE SKATING (11)

Men (5): Marco Fabbri, Matteo Guarise, Ondrej Hotarek, Luca Lanotte, Matteo Rizzo.

Women (6): Anna Cappellini, Nicole Della Monica, Charlene Guignard, Carolina Kostner, Valentina Marchei, Giada Russo.

SPEED SKATING (9)

Men (6): Riccardo Bugari, Davide Ghiotto, Andrea Giovannini, Michele Malfatti, Mirko Giacomo Nenzi, Nicola Tumolero.

Women (3): Francesca Bettrone, Yvonne Daldossi, Francesca Lollobrigida.

SHORT TRACK SPEED SKATING (7)

Men (2): Yuri Confortola, Tommaso Dotti.

Women (5): Arianna Fontana, Cecilia Maffei, Cynthia Mascitto, Lucia Peretti, Martina Valcepina.

CONI Committee chooses the first 84 athletes for the Games

• ITALIA TEAM

The CONI National Committee, which convened today in Florence, decided upon the first 84 Italian athletes - of the 121 total based on the final number of qualifiers - for the Olympic Winter Games scheduled in PyeongChang from 9 to 25 February. In particular, the shortlist of ice hockey athletes was established, with the rest of the team to be completed over the coming days.

Awarded the 2017 Golden Collars. Gentiloni: thanks to you, we are proud to be Italian

• CONI

Spotlights, flashes and applause for a “never as successful as in 2017” Italian sport. The Golden Collars awards, the movement’s greatest honours, have become the focus of a day that has seen the excellence of the Olympic and Paralympic movement on parade in the Salone delle Armi, live on Rai2 television, with the Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni present to pay homage to them, CONI President Giovanni Malagò hosting the event, with the Sport Minister, Luca Lotti, and the President of the Italian Paralympic Committee, Luca Pancalli, in attendance. Two intense hours of awards and emotions, enriched by the effective content of institutional messages (Photos by Mezzelani-GMT).

The Golden Collar was awarded to winning athletes of an Olympic and Paralympic Championship in 2017, and to motor sports disciplines, as well as to 1982 Football Champions in Spain.

The event was opened by the President, Mr Malagó. “This is an end of year ceremony in which we want to celebrate the world champions, the technicians, the managers and the societies that have given prestige to the system. This ceremony is the source of great pride also because of being in the presence of the Prime Minister, at the end of a magnificent year of successes because in 2017 we have won a record number of titles. Congratulations to all, always proud to serve sport from the height of these incredible results".

Luca Pancalli picked up the same concept, expanding it from the Paralympic point of view. “Awarding excellence makes for a great occasion and what has been achieved in sport is yet to take place in everyday society. 2017 was the year the Italian Paralympic Committee was recognised as a public organisation. It means giving dignity to our movement and turning the spotlight on exceptional athletes. It is a message that helps our country to grow.”

The Prime Minister, Paolo Gentiloni, concluded the speeches preceding the awarding of the prizes. “A great thank you to CONI for this opportunity. I see so many sport legends. The number of people being awarded prizes is impressing as is the role performed by the armed forces. We awards prizes to champions but also to symbols: 15 millions of Italian and over 100,000 societies are involved in sport and offer a significant contribution to the country. There are values to nurture and social consequences in the examples that we are given. We know that physical activity is an essential contribution for our society because it promotes uplifting lifestyles and behaviours. From the success of our champions comes an economic drive. I thank the Minister, Mr Lotti, who has been enthusiastic and has contributed to the diffusion of the sport movement. Every time a sport facility is open, we are strong in the knowledge that it is an element that favours cohesion, safety and development. I think of Federica Pellegrini’s and Bebe Vio’s golds medals, those for fencing, they are results that make us proud to be Italian. We know what sacrifices are behind them. Sport teaches us that effort is never wasted: efforts and dreams, so Pietro Mennea used to say. And today we still need to be able to dream, things in Italy are improving but there are still wounds to be healed. Best wishes for the next Olympics in South Korea. We have a great need to be proud to be Italian.”

Then on to the awards, starting with Vincenzo Nibali and finishing with CONI Lombardia, winner of the CONI Trophy, interspersed with quips, smiles and resolutions to be nurtured in the future, while revelling in a magnificent present. There was a special section dedicated to the 1982 football Champions, the first team to attain distinction before 1995 - the year the Golden Collars were inaugurated - and awarded in recognition of the willingness to recognise earlier successes.

This is the full list of awards:

GOLDEN STAR FOR SPORT MERIT

ATHLETES

Matteo Lodo, Giuseppe Vicino (Rowing, Coxless pair), Vincenzo Nibali (Cycling, Winner of the Giro d’Italia 2016), Antonio Cairoli, Kiara Fontanesi (Motorcycling, Motocross), Franco Morbidelli (Motorcycling, Moto2 Speed), Gabriele Detti (Swimming, 800 m freestyle), Gregorio Paltrinieri (Swimming, 1500 m freestyle), Federica Pellegrini, (Swimming, 200 m freestyle), Paolo Pizzo (Fencing, Epee), Martina Batini, Arianna Errigo, Camilla Mancini, Alice Volpi (Foil Fencing Team), Martina Criscio, Rossella Gregorio, Loreta Gulotta, Irene Vecchi (Sabre Fencing Team), Giorgio Avola, Andrea Cassarà, Alessio Foconi, Daniele Garozzo (Foil Fencing Team), Federico Pellegrino (Cross-country Skiing, Free Sprint), Daniele Resca (Shooting, Olympic Trap), Gabriele Rossetti (Shooting, Skeet), Jessica Rossi (Shooting, Olympic Trap), Marco Galiazzo, Mauro Nespoli, David Pasqualucci (Archery, Olympic Archery Team).

1982 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS

Alessandro Altobelli, Giancarlo Antognoni, Franco Baresi, Giuseppe Bergomi, Ivano Bordon, Antonio Cabrini, Franco Causio, Fulvio Collovati, Bruno Conti, Giuseppe Dossena, Giovanni Galli, Claudio Gentile, Francesco Graziani, Gianpiero Marini, Daniele Massaro, Gabriele Oriali, Paolo Rossi, Gaetano Scirea “in memory”, Franco Selvaggi, Marco Tardelli, Pietro Vierchowod, Dino Zoff and (GOLDEN PALM FOR TECHNICAL MERIT) Enzo Bearzot “in memory”

PERSONALITIES

Ivo Ferriani (FITB President), Gianni Infantino (FIFA President), Julio César Maglione (FINA President)

SPORTS SOCIETIES

Bologna Football Club 1909 S.p.A., Moto Club Pavia, Circolo del Golf di Roma Acquasanta, Rari Nantes Torino S.S.D. A.r.l., Società Ginnastica Etruria A.S.D.

GOLDEN STAR FOR SPORT MERIT

Corriere dello Sport, Tuttosport

GOLDEN PALM FOR TECHNICAL MERIT

Marco Bonitta, Attilio Calatroni, Francesco Cattaneo, Fabio Conti, Maurizio Marchetto, Dario Romano

PRIZE FOR THE WINNER OF THE 2017 CONI TROPHY

CONI Lombardia Regional Committee

PARAOLYMPIC SPORTS

GOLD COLLAR FOR SPORT MERIT

Martina Caironi (Athletics, 100 m and Long Jump T42), Arjola Dedaj (Athletics, Long Jump T11), Assunta Legnante (Athletica, Shot Put F12- Cat. F11), Gabriel Esteban Farias (Rowing, 200 m KL1), Paolo Cecchetto (Cycling, Time Trials H3 and Relay H2-5), Luca Mazzone (Cycling, Time Trials and In Line H2 and Relay H2-5), Alessandro Zanardi (Cycling, Time Trials H5 and Relay H2-5), Francesca Porcellato (Cycling, In Line and Time Trials H3), Pasquale Longobardi (Karate, Kumite Open), Simone Barlaam (Swimming, 50 m and 100 m Freestyle S9), Francesco Bettella (Swimming, 50 m e 100 m Backstroke S1), Monica Boggioni (Swimming, 50 m and 100 m Freestyle S4 and 150 m Mixed SM4), Antonio Fantin (Swimming, 400 m Freestyle S6), Giulia Ghiretti (Swimming, 100 m Breaststroke SB4), Carlotta Gilli (Swimming, 100 m Backstroke, 50 m and 100 m Freestyle, 100 m Butterfly e 200 m Mixed S13), Efrem Morelli (Swimming, 50 m Breaststroke SB3 and 150 m Mixed SM4), Federico Morlacchi (Swimming, 200 m Mixed SM9 and 400 m Freestyle S9), Alessia Scortechini (Swimming, 100 m Freestyle and 100 m Butterfly S10), Alessio Sarri (Fencing, Epee Cat. B), Maria Beatrice Vio (Fencing, Foil, Individual Cat. B and Team), Ionela Andreea Mogos, Loredana Trigilia, (Fencing, Foil Team), Matteo Betti, Marco Cima, Emanuele Lambertini, Gabriele Leopizzi (Fencing, Foil Team), Giacomo Bertagnolli (Alpine Skiing, Super Combined Cat. VI), Fabrizio Casal (Alpine Skiing, Super Combined Cat. VI), Andrea Borgato, Federico Falco (Table Tennis, Teams, Class 1), Michela Brunelli, Giada Rossi (Table Tennis, Teams, Class 1-3), Elisabetta Mijino, Stefano Travisani (Archery, Mixed Olympic Archery Team – Open)

National Council Statement

• CONI

The 255th National Council of CONI met this afternoon at 15.00 in the Salone d’Onore of Foro Italico.

Before the meeting prizes were awarded to the winners of the 6th edition of the “Onesti nello Sport” Competition, promoted by the Giulio Onesti Foundation in cooperation with CONI and MIUR, linking human and social values to the Italian flag and sport. Liceo Torricelli – Ballardini in Faenza - triumphed in the musical cinema category and Liceo Antonio Rosmini in Rovereto, on the other hand, achieved victory in the short film category.

“Società Italiana di Storia dello Sport”, led by its President, Mr Galluzzo, awarded prizes to Claudio Gregori, Claudio Mancuso, Rosalba Catacchio and Donato Tamblè for their successful activities and initiatives.

The National Council then discussed the following Agenda:

1) Approval of the minutes of the meeting on 24 October 2017: unanimously approved.

2) Statement by the President: Mr Malagò reminded the participants of the importance of the Golden Collars Ceremony which was held on that day in the Sala Delle Armi, a summation of the pride of the movement for the results obtained in 2017 and for the presence of the Prime Minister, Mr Gentiloni. The President then emphasised that the desired normative solution was that of aligning into three mandates - for everyone - the duration of the title following the CIO’s example. With regard to international commitments, Mr Malagò reminded the meeting of his attendance to the European Olympic Committee Meeting, with the election of the new President, Mr Janez Kocijancic, and the confirmation of Mr Pagnozzi as General Secretary. 2019 Universiade Chapter: the meeting was reminded of the need to nominate a first class Commissionaire, named by the Government. In view of the Milan Session, dates were agreed with the CIO: there will be a great premier at La Scala, in the presence of the President of the Republic. The presentation of the Italian flag to Arianna Fontana at the Quirinal Palace, in anticipation of the PyeongChang Olympic Games, has confirmed the Head of State’s sensitivity to the world of sport. There will be five additions to the Walk of Fame: Luigi Beccali, Ercole Baldini, Paolo Maldini, Samuele Papi and Massimiliano Rosolino, while the Emilia Romagna Regional Committee has been awarded the organisation of the 2018 CONI Trophy, naming Rimini as the host city. The President reminded the meeting of the “Stati Generali” - held by CONI at the end of November - as an opportunity for discussion, analysis and growth in terms of the promoted contents and messages. The following intervened in relation to the report and other matters: Giovanni Petrucci (Basketball), Luciano Rossi (Shooting), Antonio Urso (Weights), Carlo Tavecchio (Football)

3) F.S.N .- D.S.A. - E.P.S activities.: The following resolutions were unanimously approved: regulations for the assignment of Sport Honours; Composition of the Committee for sport merits for the 2017-2020 period (President - Diana Bianchedi; Vice President - Michele Maffei; Members - Bruno Biferari, Alessandro Campagna, Leopoldo Desiderio, Danilo di Tommaso, Domenico Ignozza, Mara Santangelo, Elisa Santoni, Francesco Scarpellini, Umberto Suprani, Mario Trippanera, Ciro Turco; Delegate Member to the National Committee - Guglielmo Talento); Integration of the list of admissible sport disciplines for inclusion in the National Register of Amateur Sport Associations and Societies (with the inclusion of the "beach hockey" and "parkour” disciplines); Amendment of article 4 of the Regulations for the organisation and operation of the “Collegio di Garanzia dello Sport”, referred to in article 12 bis of the CONI Statute; Appointment of a member of the “Collegio di Garanzia dello Sport” (Giulio Bacosi).

As there was no other business, the meeting came to an end at 16.25.

Mass celebration for Athletes. Malagò: Christmas characterised by the profound values of sport

• CONI

The 2017 Holy Mass for Athletes was celebrated today at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. The Eucharistic celebration was led by Vicar General of Rome, Monsignor Angelo De Donatis. In attendance were the President of CONI, Giovanni Malagò, the General Secretary, Roberto Fabbricini, the Vice-General Secretary, Carlo Mornati, the Chief Executive Officer of Coni Servizi, Alberto Miglietta, numerous members of the National Commission and the National Council, and a significant delegation of athletes from the Olympic club and the Paralympic movement.

Monsignor De Donatis’ sermon focused on the meaning of sport in religious terms. “Let’s God’s word light up our heart. The Lord’s intervention overcomes unsurmountable difficulties, He wants men to be free. Preparation is a matter of conversion, which translates into the desire to be free of sin. When we are cleansed inside we can establish real relationships, situations change if people’s heart changes. This is a time for hope. It offers the amazing things made by God to free us, to offer us salvation. Tests prepare us to a greater joy. We renew our hope, let’s not interfere with God’s plan, he wants us free from selfishness, violence and unedifying passions. Sport is at the service of all these gifts that God has bestowed upon you to live with love and in harmony. What you do, you do to give glory to God, to return to Him the gifts he has given you.”

President Malagò thanked the ecclesiastic authorities, among whom were Monsignor Melchor Sanchez, Don Gionatan De Marco, the parish priest, Andrea Meschi, the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and the athletes. “This church was the home of the athletes taking part in the Rome Olympics in 1960. It was a ceremony as simple and as profound as our values. A Very Merry Christmas, I offer you these wishes also from Arianna Fontana, who is the symbol of all the good things we always want to express.”

Prayers were read by Mara Santangelo, Carlo Molfetta, Alice Parisi (Softball), Alessia Maurelli (Gymnastics), Ariola Dedaj and Emanuele Di Marino (Paralympic Sport). Also among the present were the Italian standard bearer at the PyeongChang Olympics in 2018, Arianna Fontana (Short Track), Elisa Di Francisca (Fencing), Giovanni Pellielo (Shooting), Odette Giuffrida (Judo), Giuseppe VIcino and Matteo Lodo (Rowing), Alessia Mesiano, Irma Testa, Monica Floridia, Assunta Canfora, Irma Testa (Boxing), Anna Basta, Martina Centofanti, Agnese Duranti, Martina Santandrea and Beatrice Tornatore, Ruggero Tita, Caterina Banti (Sailing), Veronica Comar, Fabrizia Marrone, Alice Nicolini, Ilaria Cacciamani, Lara Cecchetti, Ambra Collina, Mariel Bertossi, Giulia Longhi, Elisa Cecchetti, Greta Cecchetti, Marta Gasparotto, Beatrice Ricchi, Laura Vigna, Priscilla Brandi (Softball), Tatiana Guderzo and Simona Frapporti (Cycling), Alessio Foconi (Fencing), Carlo Tacchini (Canoeing), Antonella Palmisano (Athletics), Daniele Resca (Shooting), Marco Galiazzo, David Pasqualucci (Archery), Francesca Lollobrigida, Valentina Marchei, Nicole Della Monica, Matteo Guarise, Matteo Rizzo (Ice Sports).

Mass was accompanied by the philharmonic orchestra Città di Roma, the choir “Le mille e una nota", conducted by the Maestro Silvia Scicolone and directed by Lorenzo Porzio, with the participation of the Rome Convitto Nazionale "Vittorio Emanuele II" orchestra and choir.

Italian flag handed to Arianna Fontana and Florian Planker. Mattarella: Italy is by your side

• WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES

Her expression speaks of singular emotions far beyond the solemnity of the Quirinal Palace, which makes for an exceptional setting. Because it shines with the magic of a unique day, alive with memories of a lifetime cherished by the soul, the Tricolore held proudly, and her mind already on 9 February. Circled in red for a long time, the date will mark a story that began from afar and will reward a career of sacrifice, talent and passion. Beginning in 2006 in Turin, triumphantly joining the Olympic greats - as the youngest Italian medal-winner ever - and continuing in Vancouver and Sochi: always on the podium, always a champion. Arianna Fontana, short track champion and flag bearer for Italy at the Winter Olympic Games 2018, will march into the heart of PyeongChang Olympic Stadium - in front of 35 thousand cheering people - waving the Italian flag. Received today from President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, handing over the flag is a deep-rooted tradition that, each and every time, evokes feelings that are difficult to summarise. This snapshot captures the prevalent characteristic of a ceremony that is simple and uncomplicated, yet capable of striking the most heartfelt cords. Alongside Arianna is hockey player Florian Planker, the second flag bearer, and a unique world - Olympic and Paralympic - that symbolises how sport unites, includes and brings people together.

Genuine speeches, words that touch the heart. Smiles, of course, of mutual affection, support, encouragement. This is how the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, greeted a delegation of Italian athletes departing for the Games in the Salone delle Feste (photo: Mezzelani-Ferraro-GMT), headed by CONI President, Giovanni Malagò, and President of the Italian Paralympic Committee, Luca Pancalli. Also participating in the ceremony were Minister of Sport, Luca Lotti, CONI’s Secretary General, Roberto Fabbricini, Vice Secretary General, Carlo Mornati, Senior Vice President, Franco Chimenti, Vice President Alessandra Sensini, the Presidents of the Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI) and the Italian Ice Sports Federation (FISG), Flavio Roda and Andrea Gios, and members of the Committee and the National Council.

Malagò’s words underlined the significance of the Italian mission and the efforts undertaken in preparation. “It is a symbolic moment that encapsulates 4 years of dedication, of sacrifice, for any individual in any corner of the world who has achieved this difficult Olympic qualification. Since 1924, Italy has never had such a high number of qualifying athletes, aside from 2006 when we hosted the Games in Turin. This means that we will compete in 14 of the 15 sports and in precisely 95 of the 102 events. Thanks go to the work of the FISI, led by Flavio Roda, and the FISG, chaired by Andrea Gios. At 50 days from the Games, Mr President, we are ready to make an impression. For the country and also for you, Sir, our number one fan. We ask a small favour of you, to give up on but a few hours of sleep to follow us. Sport demonstrates that we are united and have great credibility abroad. Arianna Fontana is the youngest athlete to have won an Olympic medal at the Winter Games. Rightly, she is the flagbearer, because she has made it to the podium at 3 different Games. She is an Appointee of the Italian Financial Police, confirming the decisive role of the armed forces. We are proud of its support and this creates the conditions to make a great Olympian".

Luca Pancalli’s message was equally significant. “Mr President, you have always shown encouragement and support to our family. This is a country’s greatest moment, where sport represents the extent of inclusion possible: this sense of recognition and gratitude lives in every athlete present here. The pride with which Florian Planker will receive the flag from you is a pride we all share in. Each of them will prove to be an example of courage and perseverance for all. I do not wish to hide the emotion that ceremonies such as these create for me. The recognition, gratitude, pride and passion that give a ceremony a particular beauty. The end of the year, almost like an extraordinary season’s balance sheet, has seen an explosion in the Paralympic movement, which obtained recognition as a public body at the beginning of the year.”

Minister Lotti: “An emotional moment in which we seek the phrases that might help to describe this feeling. I think to our flag waving in Turin and the anthem sung by a 9-year-old girl. And then to the phrase by Newton: ‘If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants’, referring to those who preceded him, to those who opened up a world for him with their discoveries, advancing his own. Zeno Colò was a woodcutter who trained by carrying wood to strengthen his legs. His was the first gold medal at the Games in alpine skiing. To the athletes, I say: look to the giants of the past to build your success. You are already part of history and you are facing the final part.”

President Mattarella also embraced Italian sport. “Go and live out a greatly fascinating and important adventure. Qualifying for the Olympics is no easy feat. It is a challenging yet thrilling journey, because the Games are the exaltation of universality and kinship. Medal-winners are pushed to overcome their own limits as well as their opponents. Good luck. The flag that I had the fortune of handing over not only represents the fact that you will represent your country, but rather it is as though it accompanies you. Many will follow you with affection, feeling involved. The Games always call for much participation, encouraging attention to sport. Young people in particular. My age has allowed me to see many champions, from the fifties to the present day. You have my encouragement. Always feel the affection of our country by your side. You will return with medals, but the most important thing is participation.”

Lastly, the thanks by Arianna Fontana were touching. “This day marks a special moment of particular pride for myself and for all the people who have been close to me. On the day that I enter the stadium, there will be three people. The child who discovered a passion for skating, the youngster who reached Olympus and the woman you see today, who is ready to take on every challenge to help our country.”

Florian Planker: “I saw the Tricolore fly for the first time when I won the medal at Salt Lake City, and now I am proud to hold it in my hand. I am prepared for this duty that makes me proud.”

The following athletes present at the event were announced: Dietmar Noeckler, Federico Pellegrino (FISI), Anna Cappellini, Luca Lanotte, Charlene Guignard, Marco Fabbri, Valentina Marchei, Ondrej Hotarek, Matteo Guarise, Nicole Della Monica, Matteo Rizzo, Giada Russo, Martina Valcepina, Arianna Fontana, Lucia Peretti, Cecilia Maffei, Yuri Confortola, Mirko Nenzi, Nicola Tumolero, Andrea Giovannini, Davide Ghiotto, Michele Malfatti, Riccardo Bugari, Yvonne Daldossi, Francesca Bettrone, Francesca Lollobrigida, Daniele Ferrazza, Joel Retornaz, Simone Gonin, Amos Mosaner, and Andrea Pilzer (FISG). For the Italian Paralympic Committee: Florian Planker (flagbearer), Roberto Cavicchi, Manuel Pozzerle, Jacopo Luchini (FISIP - Italian Paralympic Winter Sports Federation), Bruno Balossetti, Roberto Radice, Gianluca Cavaliere, Nils Larch, Christoph Depaoli, and Andrea Chiarotti (FISG).

Giorgio Armani dresses the Italian Team for the Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang2018

• OFFICIAL OUTFITTER

EA7 Emporio Armani will be the official outfitter of the 2018 Italian Olympic and Paralympic teams for the Winter Games in Pyeongchang. This is a continuation of the collaboration between Giorgio Armani, CONI and the Paralympic Committee, which began at the London 2012 Games and continued at the Winter Games in Sochi in 2014 and the 2016 Games in Rio.

The athletes will wear sportswear by EA7 in their free time and on official occasions for the duration of the event. The kit delivered to each athlete is a modular wardrobe that includes a technical-fabric ski tracksuit and mantle, a long down coat, a polo fleece shirt, a blue and white T-shirt with tricolour pattern, a jumper, warm cotton trousers and a seamless cotton layering set. Accessories complete the look: gloves, a hat, a scarf, trial waterproof shoes with anti-slip grip in high-top and low-top versions, a luggage trolley, a gym bag, a boot backpack and a messenger bag.

The sportswear comes in elegant, signature midnight blue with Italian-flag-colour details and features the EA7 logo. The ski tracksuit for the podium stands out with its sleek, active look; the technical fabric is made with cutting-edge, high performance materials that meet the highest quality standards.

The sense of pride and belonging, which is key to this design project, is expressed in a discreet but incisive manner: inside the jackets and sweatshirts, the first verse of the Italian national anthem is printed in gold script, while the polo shirts feature the same words, printed on the blue webbing visible when the collar is turned up.

CONI, CIP and Toyota team up for the launch of "Start Your Impossible"vvvv

• BORN AMBASSADOR TEAM

The President of CONI, Giovanni Malagò, this morning took part, in the showroom of Toyota Italia, in the Italian launch of the corporate initiative “Start Your Impossible”, Toyota’s first global campaign, widespread throughout the world and inspired to the partnership with the Committees of the next Olympic and Paralympic Games, which marks the start of a new course for the brand which wants to establish itself, more and more, as the Mobility brand: an overall mobility operator.

In fact Toyota is committed to offering the integrated use of vehicles, advanced technology, innovation and robotics, the best possible mobility for everyone. Toyota believes in the realisation of a completely sustainable society where everyone is able to overcome their own limitations, using mobility systems that are not limited to motor vehicles and that allow free movement, without obstacles, be they social or physical. “Start Your Impossible” is precisely the theme of this campaign: a new path, a new way to face up to challenges and overcome one’s own limitations, a courageous but essential change. Today Toyota is a brand committed to ensuring freedom of movement for everyone, with the purpose of ensuring the best living conditions for everyone, including those affected by more or less significant disabilities.

Through the values of sport, it promotes a society free from discrimination, where everyone can face up to their own challenges and, as the first Olympic and Paralympic Games “Mobility Partner”, it aims to offer new generation mobility services, transport solutions and advanced technologies to the service of people, also within the home.

In line with the spirit of Start Your Impossible, an Ambassador Team was selected in Italy: the Toyota Team, formed by Italian athletes in the various Olympic and Paralympic disciplines such as: Bebe Vio (Fencing), Ivan Zaytsev (Volley), Arianna Fontana (Short Track Skating, Italian standard bearer at the next Olympic Games in PyeongChang in 2018), Paolo Lorenzi (Tennis), Andrea Pusateri (Paracycling), Filippo Tortu (Sprinter), Anna Cappellini/Luca Lanotte (Figure Skating), Para Hockey Club Torino Tori Seduti (Paralympic Ice Hockey), Gabriele Detti (Swimming).

These athletes best embody the Toyota values, the application of the Kaizen spirit linked to continuous challenge, overcoming of one’s own limits, respect of people and team work.

“Toyota’s history has always been about passion, courage and innovation to make the impossible possible – declared Andrea Carlucci – Toyota Motor Italia’s Chief Executive Officer - We started with distant challenges: in 1997, when the Prius hybrid was first introduced, nobody thought we would achieve the results we have achieved today. We never pulled back and, bravely, we set always greater objectives for ourselves. We continued with hydrogen and in 2014 we created Mirai, our series saloon powered by this resource. Today, with Start Your Impossible, Toyota reaches a fundamental target: again we state our being a true Mobility brand that spreads the concept of mobility incorporating motor vehicles, technology, innovation, artificial intelligence and robotics to be put at the service of people, also with disabilities, to improve their quality of life.

The work carried forward at national level with CONI and CIP, and the choice of a Toyota team, represents the confirmation of the existence of shared intentions, based on elements such as the continuous improvement that for us represents a fundamental value to guarantee what our president, Akio Toyoda, referred to as “Ever Better Mobility for all”.

"The car has taught me much - Mr Malagò declared -. If I am now the President of CONI, in fact, it is because my family company received a return from cars. Over the years I have worked with almost all car brands, even if at the time we were not able to find an agreement with Toyota. After a few years I can state that we were both right because Toyota wanted someone who could dedicate their time to their project full time and we, on the other hand, were too busy with other brands. But I have always considered Toyota as something different, it has the ability to anticipate choices that are often risky but the results are undeniable. We are absolutely talking about the brand with the highest production and the greatest number of sales. We are proud to be here. Toyota Motori Italian have given us their trust until 2024: it is an extremely important declaration and they will be proved right. I must thank the CIO because it was truly because of the International Olympic Committee that we are here. In fact, we are an expression of that international partnership but if we had not had our own appeal this all Italian connection would not have taken place. Here, today, are my two worlds: cars and sport, a magic combination, an historic occasion, also a personal one, which will bring luck to the CIP, to CONI and above all to Toyota Motor Italia".

“I want to thank Toyota Italia and Andrea Carlucci for the extraordinary opportunity offered to the Italian Paralympic Committee and, more generally, to Italian sport. - Luca Pancalli, CIP’s President, stated - I believe that like nothing before, the campaign claim, “Start your impossible”, perfectly matches the personality of everyone of our Paralympic athletes, always looking for new challenges and limits often believed to be insurmountable. They challenge the impossible every day. It is made of elements such as determination, sacrifice, an almost obsessive search for new targets, all pervaded by the research for new and better performing technologies, to be the transferred to the service of everyone. To know that there are partners which have adopted the same principles as the characteristics of their lives, is for them and for all of us a further motivation for growth, not only from a sport point of view, but also in terms of developing the concept of inclusion that is part of the DNA of all of us”.