Carolina Kostner’s case, communication of the National Anti-Doping Court on the grounds of the ruling

The Second Chamber of the National Anti-Doping Court has filed today the motivations for its judgment rendered on January 16, 2015 by which Carolina Kostner was disqualified for one year and two months. The athlete was held responsible of helping Alex Schwazer avoiding a doping test, and therefore of committing unlawful action as provided in art. 2.9 of current rules, but was also acquitted of not having denounced her then boyfriend for his meetings with Dr Michele Ferrari.

In the motivations filed today, the National Anti-Doping Court has stressed that Carolina Kostner has not undertaken any action that would associate her to any doping practice, nor covered Schwazer in his taking illegal substances. The athlete, however, was convicted of having consciously lied to the officer in charge of taking blood samples when he showed up in Oberstdorf to test Schwazer on July 30, 2012. The art. 2.9 of current NSA punishes the assistance in any violation of anti-doping norms, not only in taking any illegal substance (art. 2.1 or 2.2 of the NSA) but also in avoiding a test (art. 2.3 NSA). Furthermore, the diversity of subject in the violation does not devoid the act of its seriousness: conducting spot-checks outside a competitive context is essential for an effective contrast of doping.

At the same time, the National Anti-Doping Court considered that the behavior of Carolina Kostner was influenced by several factors, thus lessening the degree of her guilt. Among those elements, the National Anti-Doping Court has emphasized the fact that the athlete acted on a request made by the person she loved; the sudden nature of the request, which required an immediate answer; the absence of elements that would suggest that the behaviour of the athlete was predetermined; the fact that the athlete took immediate steps to ensure that Schwazer could reach the place of the test; and the fact that the athlete, while aware of her assistance in avoiding the test, did not know that Schwazer was using banned substances. These elements justified the reduction of a two-year sanction to one year and four months, based on a standard that allows the maximum reduction to a ban of one year. It is now possible for the athlete, but also for UPA and WADA, to file an appeal to TAS against the ruling of the National Anti-Doping Court.

Collio, Checcucci and Donati acquitted by National Anti-Doping Court

The Second Chamber of the National Anti-Doping Court met today at the Olympic Stadium in Rome to deliver judgments on the proceedings filed against Simone Collio, Maurizio Checcucci and Roberto Donati (FIDAL members) following the referrals issued by the Anti-Doping Prosecutor's Office.

The Court acquitted the three athletes according to Anti-Doping Standards for Sports in force at the time, and to the Anti-Doping Sport Code (CSA 2015), in force since January 1, 2015, where applicable as Lex mitior; for Collio and Checcucci, Art. 40.1 of CSA 2015 was also applied.

CONI-UnipolSai partnership confirmed, Young Italy Team presented

This morning, in the Board Room of the Italian Olympic Committee, The President of CONI, Giovanni Malagò, and the CEO of UnipolSai, Carlo Cimbri, presented the partnership that will bind CONI and UnipolSai until 2017.

Giovanni Malagò expressed satisfaction for this agreement on behalf of the Italian sport's world. "I am proud and honored by this union and I hope it will last forever. UnipolSai is a successful brand, a strong Italian reality that makes us endlessly proud showing sensitivity towards our world and highlighting its social importance. This agreement also has an important value in view of the forthcoming international challenges and the candidacy of Rome for 2024 Olympics".

Carlo Cimbri further expanded the motivations expressed by Malagò, illustrating the reasons that allowed the partnership with CONI to become a reality. "For us, this agreement represents a further step in association with Italian sport, after the experiences with FIN and FIDAL. This relationship was born under a lucky star: we are the largest Italian company in the insurance industry and we like to support professional sport in its broadest meaning, as a symbol of sport accessible to everyone, an extraordinary vehicle of trust and rebirth for the whole country. UnipolSai will closely cooperate with the Olympic Committee to make the dream of Rome 2024 come true".

UnipolSai Young Italy Team, a team of young athletes, standard-bearers of Italian sport's excellence and values in the world, led by Federica Pellegrini, was also presented during the event. Those values are also shared and promoted by UnipolSai in its everyday activities for the safety of millions of Italians and in its commitment towards the community and the whole country. Designed and supported by UnipolSai Assicurazioni, the UnipolSai Young Italy Team project includes an agreement with the athletes for 2015 and 2016. In addition to the "godmother" and spearhead of Italian swimming team, Federica Pellegrini, that will act as a tutor to the young members of the team, the UnipolSai Young Italy Team includes: Vincenzo Abbagnale (Rowing), Eseosa Desalu (Track & Field), Carlotta Ferlito (Artistic Gymnastics), Andrea Fondelli (Water Polo), Gregorio Paltrinieri (Swimming), Alessia Trost (Track & Field).

Federica Pellegrini gave voice to the satisfaction of the Italian athletes who attended the presentation of the agreement. "I am grateful to UnipolSai for this initiative. I proudly put my experience and my desire to win at the service of the team in view of the Olympic Games of Rio in 2016".

National Anti-Doping Court scheduled Alex Schwazer's hearing for February 12

Following the referral of the athlete Alex Schwazer by the Anti-Doping Prosecutor's Office on January 9, 2015, the President of the Second Chamber of the National Anti-Doping Court of CONI has scheduled a hearing for February 12, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. in the offices of the Olympic Stadium in Rome.

The National Anti-Doping Court disqualifies Carolina Kostner for 1 year and 4 months

The Second Chamber of the National Anti-Doping Court, at the end of the hearing held today at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, has disqualified the athlete Carolina Kostner (FISG Member) for 1 year and 4 months.

Here is the text of the disposition: "Given the referral of November 28, 2014, with which the Anti-Doping Prosecutor's Office has charged Ms Carolina Kostner for the violation of art. 2.8 and art. 3.3 of Anti-Doping Sport Law (NSA) as in force at the relevant time; Given the NSA in force at the relevant time; Given the Anti-Doping Sport Code approved by the National Board of CONI on November 18, 2014 in force since January 1, 2015 (also known as CSA 2015), where applicable as Lex mitior; The Second Chamber of the National Anti-Doping Court hereby: - Affirms the responsibility of Ms Carolina Kostner for the violation of art. 2.8 of the NSA (art. 2.9 of the CSA 2015); - As provided by art. 4.3.4 and art. 4.5.2.1, imposes on Ms Carolina Kostner a disqualification for 1 (one) year and 4 (four) months with effect from January 16, 2015 and expiring on May 16, 2016; - Acquits Ms Carolina Kostner of the violation of art. 3.3 of the applicable NSA; - Orders Ms Carolina Kostner to pay the costs of the proceedings, calculated as a forfeit sum of EUR 1.000,00 (one thousand/00); - Orders this decision to be communicated to the addressee, UPA, WADA, ISU and FIGS".

National Board announcement

The Foro Italico hosted this morning the 1031st CONI National Board Meeting, which began its work by approving the minutes of the previous meeting, held on December 18, 2014. In its first communications, President Malagò informed the Board on the recent contacts with the Government about the candidacy of Rome for the 2024 Summer Olympics and the upcoming Organising Committee, which will have an "in-house" structure within CONI and an external Chairman whose name will be made official in the coming weeks. Malagò then proceeded to inform the Board about a number of letters sent by Pro League clubs Presidents requesting the convening of an Assembly; the President of Federcalcio, Tavecchio, gave Pro League until February 5 to convene said Assembly. The Board took note. The Board then proceeded to determine and approve the composition of the delegation that will participate in the 2015 winter edition of the European Youth Olympic Festival that will be held in Vorarlberg (Liechtenstein) from January 25 to 31; the head of this mission will be Alessio Palombi. The Italian Federation of Ice Sports (FIGS) was granted the permission to appoint the new Federal Secretary in the person of the Olympic champion Ippolito Sanfratello. Lastly, the Board expressed its satisfaction on the matter of the extension for the application of the spending control standards contained in the ISTAT list for the National Sports Federations. After reviewing a long list of other organizational and administrative issues, and having taken the relevant resolutions, the Board ended its work at 12:20.

Schwazer’s suspension, Prosecutor asks for 6-month disqualification, reducible to 3

Anti-doping Prosecutor's Office (UPA) ordered the indictment of the athlete Alex Schwazer to the Second Chamber of the CONI National Anti-Doping Court for the recognition of his responsibility (art. 2.3 of NSA) according to the documents submitted by the Public Prosecutor's Office of Bolzano and to the investigations conducted by the UPA in the field of sports, with a request for 6 months of disqualification starting from the expiration date of the currently active ban (20-01-2016), imposed by the National Anti-Doping Court in its judgment no. 44/12 of April 23rd, 2013, until July 29th, 2016.

On the basis of the cooperation provided by the accused in order to ascertain violation of anti-doping laws committed by third parties, the UPA considers the application art. 4.6.1 of the Anti-Doping Standards for Sports currently in force viable, thus requesting the deduction of three months from the imposed penalty.

Baku 2015 European Games signs broadcast deal in Italy

Baku 2015 European Games has today signed a broadcast deal to ensure the inaugural event will be broadcast in Italy. Leading broadcaster Sky Italia will screen live coverage and highlights across its sports channels, as well as providing extensive coverage on Sky Go. The station has secured exclusive rights in the country and will also promote the Games via its popular Sky Sport 24 news channel to increase awareness and share the excitement of the inaugural European Games.

Mr Simon Clegg, Chief Operating Officer of Baku 2015, said: “We are very pleased to have agreed this deal with Sky Italia to guarantee extensive coverage of the European Games in Italy. “As one of the continent’s most successful sporting nations, we are expecting Italy to send a very strong team to Baku 2015 in pursuit of gold medals and glory.” Founded in 2003, Sky Italia has 4.7 million subscribers and an audience of more than 13 million viewers in the country and is considered one of Europe’s most respected sports broadcasters. The company broadcast the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games and also hold the rights for the Italy’s premier football competition Serie A, as well as the Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League and the European Qualifiers.

Mr Matteo Mammì, Director of Sport Rights, Programming and Production at Sky Italia, said: “The first European Games will be a brilliant celebration of sport enjoyed by the whole continent and we are very proud to be providing coverage in our country. “We are very much looking forward to a thrilling 17 days of competition in Baku and bringing the best of all the action to our subscribers.”

Mr Giovanni Malagò, President of the Italian National Olympic Committee, said: “We are delighted that the first European Games will be available for sports fans to view on the leading Italian TV broadcaster, as well as its online and mobile platforms. “This is great news for our athletes and millions of supporters, and I am sure this will help make Baku 2015 a success in Italy.”

Mr Charlie Wijeratna, Commercial Director of Baku 2015, added: “International broadcast sales are progressing very well, and it is fantastic that we have signed this agreement to broadcast the Games with such a renowned channel as Sky Italia. “The deal is another success for Baku 2015 and reflects the continued interest we are receiving from major broadcasters around the world. There will be more announcements relating to European countries in the coming months as we convert the deals we have agreed in principle into long-form contracts.”

National Board meeting take place on January 13

The 1031nd meeting of the National Board of CONI will be held on 13 January 2015, in Rome at the Foro Italico, starting at 10:00 am. 

This is the agenda:

1) Minutes from 18 December 2014

2) Notifications from the President

3) Olympic and High Level Activities

4) National Sports Federation Activities - Associated Sport Disciplines - Sports Promotion Bodies - Anti-Doping Activities

5) Territorial organisations

6) CONI-Coni Servizi Spa Relations

7) Administrative Affairs

8) Miscellaneous and proposals of National Board members.

ATP awards BNL Italian Open as "Best Fan Experience" of the circuit

BNL Italian Open received the prize for being the "Best Fan Experience" in the ATP circuit. During the International Tennis Association's Workshop in Monte Carlo, the tournament, which was organized thanks to a partnership between Coni Servizi and Federtennis, was awarded the prize for its many fan-oriented services, its leisure and entertainment programs linked to the sporting and culture world, its care of green areas that enhance the beauty of the Foro Italico and the great variety of offerings supplied by its mall, as well as for its promotion of entertainment initiatives targeted at the audience, especially with reference to the evening format "Ballroom – The New Night Experience", which in 2014 was attended by more than 60,000 young people during its 11 scheduled events. The Director of Operations of the Tournament, Diego Nepi, and the Technical Director, Sergio Palmieri, received the award. This is the second time the roman tournament was awarded this prize, the first one being in 2013.