Funerals of Muhammad Alì: Benvenuti and May represent Italy and Rome

The Rome 1960 Olympic champion, Nino Benvenuti, accompanied by Fiona May, Head of Athletes Relations of the Committee for the Promotion of Rome 2024 and member of the CONI Executive Board, will represent Italy at the funerals of Muhammad Ali scheduled for Friday 10 June at Louisville, Kentucky. The decision was taken by Giovanni Malagò, President of CONI, who considered it a duty that Italian sport would be present in occasion of the last salute to the unforgotten American champion, gold medal at Rome 1960, who died last Friday.

The choice of Benvenuti and May is highly symbolic both for what they have represented in their career as athletes and for the important Olympic values that they continue to transmit to entire generations of sportspeople. Nino Benvenuti and Fiona May have stated they are honored and proud of this decision by Malagò.

This picture (ANSA) shows US boxing legend Muhammad Ali as he receives a replacement gold medal for the 1960 one he lost, at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 03 August 1996

IOC Executive Board supports Tokyo 2020 package of new sports for IOC Session

The Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) today supported the proposal to add the package of five new sports to the programme of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. If approved at the 129th IOC Session in Rio de Janeiro in August, the change would be the most comprehensive evolution of the Olympic programme in modern history.

The five sports — karate, skateboarding, sports climbing, surfing and baseball/softball — offer a key focus on youth, which is at the heart of the Games vision for Tokyo 2020. They represent a combination of well-established and emerging sports with significant popularity in Japan and beyond. They include team sports and individual sports; indoor sports and outdoor sports; and ‘urban’ sports with a strong appeal to youth.

The package of five sports will now be submitted to the IOC Session. These sports are considered on top of the athlete and event quota recommendations for Olympic sports outlined in Olympic Agenda 2020, and will not take places away from athletes in existing Olympic sports. Discussions on the event programme in the existing 28 Olympic sports for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 are ongoing, and will be finalised by the IOC Executive Board in mid-2017.

The Organising Committee for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 proposed the new sports in response to the new flexibility provided by Olympic Agenda 2020, the IOC’s strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement, to encourage innovation in the Olympic programme. Olympic Agenda 2020 gives host cities the option of suggesting new sports and events for inclusion in their edition of the Games.

The host city selections are not binding on future Games hosts.

The inclusion of the new sports would add 18 events and 474 athletes to the Olympic programme in Tokyo, without impacting existing sports. The package promotes gender equality, with each of the five sports having equal numbers of teams for men and women, while also focusing on innovative and exciting sports for Japan and the wider international community.  (Photo olympic.org)

Italian champions at the Quirinal to celebrate 70 years of the Republic. Nibali donates his pink jersey to Mattarella

• CONI

CONI president Giovanni Malagò led a delegation of Italian athletes and sports stars at the Quirinal as part of the festivities celebrating 70 years of the Republic. The celebration was attended by the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, with his daughter Laura, Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi, along with some of the country's most important institutional representatives and, among others, the recent winner of the 99th edition of the Giro d'Italia, Vincenzo Nibali, fencing champions Aldo Montano and Rossella Fiamingo, European 100 metre freestyle champion, Luca Dotto, Leicester City manager - winner of the Premier League - Claudio Ranieri and IAADS multiple world champion, Nicole Orlando. The Head of State met with Italy's star athletes, congratulating them on their success and receiving in return the maglia rosa from Nibali (photo Quirinal - by Paul Giandotti) and a Leicester City shirt from Claudio Ranieri.

Malagò expressed his pride in Italian sport for the reception received. "It has been a huge satisfaction for the world of sports, because President Mattarella chose to meet with the athlete delegation first and then we spoke at length with Prime Minister, Renzi, who is a keen sports fan. A great honour, never before has our sporting world been given such recognition on the 1st of June. Mattarella wished everyone the best in preparing for Rio and did so in a way that meant we were the first to greet him".

Statement by the National Council

Meeting no. 245 of the CONI National Council met this afternoon at 3.pm – at the Foro Italico – to discuss the following agenda:

1) Approval of the minutes of the meeting of May 4, 2016: Minutes approved unanimously

2) Statement by the President: Malagò opened the meeting inviting attendees to sincerely applaud Angelo Cito, newly elected FITA President, who was awarded the Stella d’Oro for Sports Achievements. Subsequently, the protagonists of the sports world deceased in the past two weeks were commemorated and the important results achieved by the Italian athletes in the same period were highlighted. The President complimented Alfio Giomi for the great organizational success connected to the team race running World Championships, held in Rome and – celebrating the medals recently won in the various disciplines – and expressed his support to athletes who are undergoing the Olympic qualification tests, such as the basketball and rowing teams, dedicating an applause to those who have just won, like the volleyball team. In view of the Rio Games, the prize for the Olympic gold medals has been increased to 150 thousand Euro, whereas that for the silver (75 thousand euro) and for the bronze (50 thousand euro) have remained the same.

It was then announced that the latest updates on aspects connected to the obligatory use of defibrillators will be shared at the next National Council meeting and the President of FMSI, Maurizio Casasco was thanked for the good work done. Optimism was also expressed on the matter of mandate laws, for a conclusion that is deemed to be satisfying for the world of sport and that goes in the right direction: there will be a single interpretation that will concern the entire sorting movement. Progress has also been made for the Rome 2024 Olympic candidacy, with constant updates through debating tables also with the environmental associations. The 5 main candidates to the mayor’s position in Rome have accepted to attend the meeting with the sports world, offering an encouraging sign, also for the tone and contents of the debates. Malagò went on to mention that the next Board meeting will look into the details of the “Sport e periferie” project: the Commission in charge is working on the parameters, with updates that will be available at the end of the next month.

National Sports Day will be held on May 29 to avoid overlapping with the local elections of June 5. The Quirinale has invited some Italian champions, as well as Coach Claudio Ranieri, to the celebrations of the Festa della Repubblica. Malagò also mentioned the integrations to the Walk of Fame, with the addition of another 5 former athletes: Alberto Braglia, Mario Fiorillo, Paola Pigni, Sandro Mazzinghi and Valentina Vezzali. Malagò ended his intervention by informing the Board on the CONI-FIN relations following the dismissal of the charges for slander filed against Secretary General Roberto Fabbricini by the President of Federnuoto Paolo Barelli, personally and as legal representative of FIN, and in light of the appeal to the Tar (Administrative Court) filed by the Federazione Italiana Nuoto opposing a ruling of the CONI arbitration board. 

Input on the President’s report and other matters discussed at the Council meeting was delivered by: Angelo Cito (Taekwondo), Riccardo Agabio (Gymnastics), Andrea Mancino (Associated Sports Disciplines Rappresentative), Sergio Mignardi (Hockey), Paolo Barelli (Swimming), Avvocato Alberto Angeletti, Giovanni Petrucci (Basketball), Franco Chimenti (Golf), Giovanni Medugno (Coach Rappresentative), Vincenzo Manco (Sports Promotion Bodies Representative), Sandro Rossi (Associated Sports Representative), Franco Sciannimanico (Table tennis), Siro Zanella (Squash), Carlo Magri (Volleyball), Romolo Rizzoli (Bowls), Alfredo Gavazzi (Rugby), Angelo Binaghi (Tennis), Maurizio Casasco (Sports medicine), Alfio Giomi (Athletics)

3) Administrative business and CONI financial statements: The first reformulation of the annual budget for year 2016 was unanimously approved. There being no other business the meeting was closed at 5.25pm.

Statement by the National Board

Meeting no. 1047 of the CONI National Board was held this morning and began with the approval of the minutes of the previous meetings of April 27 and May 4. In his statements, President Malagò paid his compliments to the Athletics team for its achievements in the race running World Championships in Rome and to the Volleyball team for the qualification of the national women’s team and to the Swimming team for the excellent results obtained in the recent European water sports championships. In view of the 2016 Rio Games, the Board has decided to establish the monetary prizes associated to the medals by attributing 150 thousand Euro to the gold, 75 thousand to the silver and 50,000 to the bronze (every medalled athlete will receive this prize, whether it be for individual or team achievements). An update was then given on Rome’s candidacy to the 2024 Olympic Games.

The Board then decided to add five new great athletes to the Walk of Fame: Alberto Braglia, Mario Fiorillo, Sandro Mazzinghi, Paola Pigni and Valentina Vezzali. The Palma d’Oro for Coaching Achievements awarded to Claudio Ranieri was confirmed and the Stella d’Oro for Sporting Achievements was awarded de jure to the new President of the Italian Taekwondo Federation, Angelo Cito. The first reformulation of CONI’s 2016 budget was then approved and will be submitted to the National Council for approval. The Board then discussed the CONI-FIN relations following the dismissal of charges for slander filed against Secretary General Roberto Fabbricini by the President of Federnuoto Paolo Barelli, personally and as legal representative of FIN, and in light of the appeal to the Tar (Regional Administrative Tribunal) filed by the Federazione Italiana Nuoto opposing a ruling of the CONI’s Arbitration Board. After examining a long series of other issues of organizational and administrative nature, and having assumed the relative delegations, the Board meeting was closed at 12.45.

Five Italian champions in the Herbalife24 Team

Five champions, five sports, five Olympic circles. Following the agreement which establishes a collaboration for the next three years with the Italian National Olympic Committee in the quality of Supplier of Sports Nutrition Supplements, Herbalife24 pledges its commitment to sports at the highest level with its support to Team Herbalife24 for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. A number, five, that is recurrent and that speaks of a common passion for sport and of sharing the values it represents.

But who are these champions? Women and men who contribute to writing the history of the disciplines in which they compete, with hard work, dedication, tenacity and determination.

Arianna Errigo (Fencing), Rachele Bruni (Open Water Swimming), Fabio Fognini (Tennis), Simone Giannelli (Volleyball), Giuseppe Vicino (Rowing).

Herbalife24 will be supporting these great athletes by supplying sports nutrition supplements (Formula 1 Pro, Prolong, Restore, Rebuild Strength and Rebuild Endurance) in the months coming up to the Olympic adventure and during the days of the competition, in collaboration with the Istituto di Medicina e Scienze dello Sport and with the technical staff of the Olympic Training. Supporting the athletes who turn their body into a “precision instrument” to achieve ever more ambitious goals, is the pledge that Herbalife24 commits to with great seriousness and respect, and that translates into the provision to athletes of products that are the fruit of a constant research and development process guaranteeing excellent quality and maximum safety.

Safety is an important matter for those who practice sports: the entire Herbalife24 line in fact is tested to verify the presence of banned substances through the “Informed Sport” program that certifies that the products have been tested for substances banned in sports. Until 2018, Herbalife24 will work with the Italian National Olympic Committee as Official Supplier of Sports Nutrition Supplements.

CONI and Spallanzani sign protocol for monitoring and preventing infectious diseases

CONI, the 'Institute of Sports Medicine and Science and the National Institute for Infectious Diseases - INMI 'L. Spallanzani', have just signed a memorandum of cooperation which foresees a series of actions to evaluate the risk of infection for athletes participating at the next Olympic Games in Rio, to plan preventive actions and the management potential situations with any risk of infection.

This agreement (photo Mezzelani - GMT) consolidates the relationship between CONI and INMI who have worked together in the past on prevention initiatives for major sporting events both in Italy and abroad. The model that CONI and INMI have developed over the past months and which today sees its conclusion was well-planned and pre-empted recommendations from the World Health Organisation and the European Centre for Disease Control. This model is particularly relevant this year due to the Zika epidemic and also includes monitoring athletes once they return. It represents an individualised path, the planning of timely outpatient monitoring and diagnostic services and treatment, and where appropriate, 24 hour specialist advice through its dedicated teleconsultation service, as well the creation of an information handbook distributed to Italian delegations involved abroad.

"Two great organisations come together to support our team during this essential experience in Rio - said the CEO of CONI SERVICES, Alberto Miglietta -. We are happy to have done it with the Spallanzani Institute. The Olympic Committee and CONI Services are always on the look out for agreements with organisations that represent best of Italy. We believe to be so, and so is the Spallanzani Institute ".

"The National Institute for Infectious Diseases (INMI) 'L. Spallanzani ', declares Marta Branca, Special Commissioner INMI, once again shows to be a facility able to deal with all aspects of infectious diseases on hand to help all Italians and athletes who represent us in the world. I am filled with enthusiasm by the quiet and dedicated work of our professionals and researchers that allows to quickly provide the institutions, in this case to CONI, the necessary scientific and cultural contribution. "

Witnessing the signing of the protocol, which took place at the Institute of Sports Medicine and Science, was Dr. Antonio Spataro, medical director of the IMSS and Dr. Giuseppe Ippolito, the scientific director of INMI.
"This will provide additional protection for the Italian delegation to Rio -said Antonio Spataro - regarding various diseases and, therefore, the signing of this agreement pleases me a great deal."
“The model that CONI and INMI have developed over the past few months, explains Giuseppe Ippolito, and which today sees its conclusion was well-planned and pre-empted recommendations from the World Health Organisation and the European Centre for Disease Control. “

Sports will be promoted among foreign children within the National Reception System

CONI President, Giovanni Malagò, and the State Secretary of the Interior Ministry, Domenico Manzione, in the presence of Interior Minister, Angelino Alfano, today signed the "Memorandum of Understanding between the Interior Ministry and the Italian Olympic Committee on ways to collaborate regarding the spread, the practice and implementation of sports activities supporting foreign children within the national reception system".

Present at the event, in the crowded Conference Hall of the Interior Ministry, in addition to the Head of the Department for Civil freedoms and Immigration, Prefect Mario Morcone, were several Interior Administration officials involved in the field of immigration and asylum.

The initiative was presented by the Managing Director for Immigration and Asylum policies, prefect Rosetta Scotto Lavina, which was followed by the speech from the President of CONI, Malagò, and that of the State Secretary, Manzione, who stressed the importance of the agreement, focused on sporting activity as a powerful integration tool for foreign children living in reception centres set up across the nation, as well as the invaluable practice for the training for all young people from a physical and psycho-behavioural point of view.

Before signing the Protocol, Minister Alfano offered strong support for the contents of this Understanding, which will be developed into a three-year action plan, launched earlier in some pilot regions, in the North, Centre and the South, then introduced nationwide.

The event was also attended by 20 foreign students from reception centres representing the diverse world that is the main recipient of the project shared by the Ministry of Interior and National Olympic Committee, which sees the value of sport as key to the integration of young immigrants.

“EduCare Sport”, champions look to the future

EduCare Sport has landed at the ‘Internazionali BNL d’Italia’ event: hosted at the Foro Italico in Rome, special leg of the tour of meetings that BNL Gruppo BNP Paribas, in partnership with CONI, it is dedicated to athletes reaching the end of their careers to accompany their professional and entrepreneurial projects and help them make economic and financial choices in a mindful and sustainable manner. In recent months, BNL and CONI have brought EduCare Sport in various Italian cities from Milan to Bologna, from Treviso to Formia: training workshops were held with athletes, former athletes and sports men and women, among which great champions who have won Olympic, World, European and National titles.

The event in Rome was held to take stock of this initiative, which has been particularly appreciated: in addition to the champions, in fact, EduCare Sport has involved mainly professional athletes, active and not, between the ages of 25 and 40, as well as athletes for which “retirement” is reached at an older age, as well as of sports in which the peak of professionalism is concentrated in adolescence. Great attention was shown also by the managements of the sports clubs and teams, now 40 and 50-year-old former athletes who have personally experienced the difficulties in choosing their post-career paths.

EduCare Sport is inserted within the BNL-CONI partnership, which includes the development of activities and projects aimed at supporting sports at various levels, at supporting entrepreneurial ideas and further spreading the sports culture, that contributes not only to the physical and mental wellbeing of individuals but, through this, also the development of a more mindful and caring society .

BNL and CONI have been collaborating for more than 70 years, during which they have shared epochal events such: the Rome Olympics in 1960, “Italia ‘90” Football World Championship; Nagano Winter Olympics in 1998; the “BNL Cerchi e Stelle” project, that led to the qualification of five Italian athletes (Erica Alfridi, Deborah Gelisio, Josefa Idem, Ylenia Scapin e Alessandra Sensini) in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Lastly, BNL is the partner of 44 Sports Federations and the Bank of the Italian Paralympics Committee and of the main Federation associated to it.

Guests of honour were Alessandra Sensini, Andrea Lucchetta and Flavia Pennetta, who spoke of their experience as champions and of their future projects.

Snoopy joins the Italia Team

A new travel companion joins the Italia Team. A very special athlete: it is Snoopy wearing the Italian jersey. The idea stemmed from the will to create a new and innovative licensing activity, linking the CONI brand with the image of a transversal testimonial with values rooted in the territory and coherent with the principal values of Sports at all levels, thus amplifying positive messages, and at the same time serving as a useful communication tool. A logic that aims to extend the research and use of sponsorships beyond the Olympic year, becoming a standard feature in fundraising of the new model of management of Italian Sports, with further positive effects on the system and to the benefit of all stakeholders.

With a co-branding agreement, unique in its kind, CONI will develop and implement a co-branding project that has Snoopy involved in all the Olympic disciplines in the role of Italia Team athlete. The program will cover various product areas: from the world of games, with soft toys and educational games on the subject of sports, to the world of clothing, accessories and services, creating an important flux of royalties.

This innovation in the licensing world was presented at the VIP Gallery of the Centrale del Tennis by CONI President Giovanni Malagò, by the Deputy Secretary and Head of Olympic Preparation Carlo Mornati, by Marketing Director Diego Nepi, by Senior Director of Peanuts Tara Botwick, in the presence of Project Advisor Maurizio Occhipinti.

The event was attended also by various testimonials of Italian sports such as the women’s beach volley couple Menegatti and Orsi-Toth, world champion sailors Giulia Conti and Francesca Clapcich, Olympic champions Carlo Molfetta and Antonio Rossi, former basketball player Carlton Myers and race walker Marco De Luca.