Buonfiglio presents the Collare d'Oro to Chiara Consonni and the Stella d'Oro to Elena Cecchini during cycling's Giro d'Onore

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  • CONI

Today, CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio - together with Italian Cycling Federation President Cordiano Dagnoni - presented the Collare d'Oro for sporting merit to Chiara Consonni and the Stella d'Oro to Elena Cecchini.

These awards were presented during the traditional Giro d'Onore, an event held at the Salone d’Onore that celebrates the year's cycling achievements and champions.

Consonni was honoured for her world championship gold medal in the team pursuit at the Track Cycling World Championships, held in October in Santiago, Chile. The Italian, who won the title together with Martina Alzini, Martina Fidanza, Vittoria Guazzini and Federica Venturelli, was unable to attend the ceremony in early November for personal reasons. 

Elena Cecchini, meanwhile, received the Stella d’Oro as a newly appointed member of the CONI National Council, representing the athletes’ quota.

The Trofeo CONI Winter kicks off in Valle d'Aosta, Buonfiglio: “You are lucky young people, make the most of this opportunity”

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  • OPENING CEREMONY

The opening ceremony of the Trofeo CONI Winter 2025 took place at the Courmayeur Sport Center, bringing the Aosta Valley to life until the winning region is announced at the closing ceremony scheduled for Sunday 21 December (photo: Simone Ferraro and Roberto Di Tondo, CONI).

This year's fourth winter edition of the Under 14 Mini-Olympics was supported by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security. First of all, the delegations of the 21 Italian regions competed, as did the young representatives of the Italian community abroad from the United States of America. Silvia Marrara from the MAECI sports directorate was also present for the Roots Tourism project. All were led by Tina and Milo, the official mascots of Milano Cortina 2026.

From Abruzzo to the hosts of Valle d'Aosta,  more than a thousand athletes and technicians paraded through the arena, ready to compete in the Italian Winter Sports Federation's five sports (alpine skiing, snowboarding, ski mountaineering, biathlon and cross-country skiing), the Italian Ice Sports Federation's four sports (short track, figure skating, curling and ice hockey) and the Italian Triathlon Federation's one sport (winter triathlon) in the municipalities of Pila, Cogne, Courmayeur, Aosta and Turin.

A live link was established from the Sport Center to Piazza Abbé Henry, where Les Badochys — a folk group dedicated to preserving local traditions through ancient dance and music — performed. Giuliano Razzoli, winner of the special slalom at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, then set off as the torchbearer.

Back at the arena, after a summary of the CONI Winter Trophy programme, which included the CONI Fair Play Games linked to the Olympic Values Education Program this year, Mameli's anthem was played as the Italian tricolour flag was waved.

Then came the official welcome speeches, starting with Courmayeur Mayor Roberto Rota: “It is a pleasure to welcome you and let you experience our mountains, our wonderful landscapes, the slopes, the snow and the ice.  Here, you will find ideal conditions in which to have fun, meet others and respect the rules of sport, which allow for no shortcuts. Sport is a way of life and a healthy way to experience nature while respecting the environment and other people.  We hope that this event will remain in your hearts and that it will inspire some of you to pursue your dreams of competing in the Olympic Games”. On stage with him were Aosta's Sports Councillor Alina Sapinet, the Mayor of Cogne Denis Truc and the Mayor of Gressan René Cottino.

Jean Dondeynaz, the President of the Valle d'Aosta Regional Committee of CONI, said: “I feel great excitement and deep pride. The beating heart of this event, its true wealth, is the young people.  Sport is a shared value and a real investment in the region's future.  Organising an event like this requires vision and great collective commitment, especially given the significant moment in history we are in:  the eve of Milano Cortina 2026. We are especially proud that Federica Brignone and Federico Pellegrino, both from Valle d'Aosta, will represent us as flag bearers. Our land produces talent, passion and sporting values; sport teaches us to win with humility and to lose with dignity. The mountains unite cultures, histories and peoples, as evidenced by the presence of young American athletes of Italian origin among us today. Boys and girls, someone will win, but you will all return home with new friends, new experiences, and the knowledge that you have been part of something special”.

“This event is a wonderful gift for our region. It celebrates values such as respect, a healthy lifestyle and fun” added Giulio Grosjacques, the Aosta Valley Sports Councillor. And the regional president Renzo Testolin expressed himself as follows: "To see all this Azzurro in our region is wonderful. The Aosta Valley has been invaded by 'CONI youngsters': I would like to thank President Buonfiglio for his belief in the Aosta Valley. All the important values are there: heart, passion, energy, sacrifice, friendship and love.  We are the only Italian region where winter sports are more popular than football. These young people represent so much”.

The official speeches concluded with CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio, who had participated in the Conference of Regional Committee Presidents a few hours earlier.  “I appeal to your sense of belonging and to everyone's sense of purpose,” he said. “You cannot afford to waste time because so many people are dedicating their time to you.  Those who waste time miss out on opportunities. Everyone represents their own region and the desire to be with others. It is important to be there, but even more important to be there together. Boys and girls, be role models for good behaviour on the competition fields and in everyday life. You must appreciate your privileges. You must commit, respect yourselves and others, and never give up.  Among the four flag bearers for Milano Cortina 2026, I have chosen two who are very important to this land.  Federica Brignone is a great athlete who has shown us that when we fall, we can get back up again quickly.  And Federico Pellegrino is an athlete who leaves nothing to chance.  With them, for them, for you and for a better tomorrow, good luck!”.

Following the greetings of IOC member and International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation President Ivo Ferriani and Charlotte Groppo, Head of the IOC's Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Department, there was a spectacular dance and skating performance, followed by the oath-taking ceremony. The oath was read by athletes Noah Desayeux and Estelle Fosson, judge Marica Poli and coach Luca Alladio, alongside CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio and CONI Valle d'Aosta Regional Committee President Jean Dondeynaz. Buonfiglio and Dondeynaz then officially declared the Trofeo CONI Winter 2025 open.

At this point, Marco Albarello, a native of Aosta and five-time Olympic medallist in cross-country skiing, passed the flame to Mara Zini, who won a bronze medal in the women’s short track relay at Torino 2006. Zini then handed the flame to the final torchbearer, Mirko Vuillermin, who won two medals in short track. Vuillermin lit the cauldron, marking the end of the opening ceremony.

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Buonfiglio received at the Vatican by Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education

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  • CONI

Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, welcomed Luciano Buonfiglio, President of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), and Marco Giunio De Sanctis, President of the Italian Paralympic Committee (CIP), to the Vatican in two separate meetings on Tuesday 16 and Thursday 18 December.

The meetings were attended by Bishop Paul Tighe, Secretary of the Dicastery, with Official Don Miguel Fraga Cardoso, and Giampaolo Mattei, President of Athletica Vaticana, the official sports body of the Holy See.

Also in the run-up to the Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Milano Cortina, direct collaboration was initiated in the field of education and inclusion, with a special commitment to peace, along the lines proposed by the Magisterium of the Holy Father Leo XIV.

Milano Cortina 2026, Italy's selections for the Olympic competitions: 10 azzurri called up

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  • SHORT TRACK

Italia Team is beginning to take shape. Just over 50 days before the Opening Ceremony of the Milano Cortina Games, the 10 Azzurri (evenly split between men and women) who will take part in the Olympic short track competitions were officially announced, scheduled to take place in the Lombardy capital at the Ice Skating Arena.

In the men's sector, the choice fell on Andrea Cassinelli, Thomas Nadalini, Lorenzo Previtali, Pietro Sighel and Luca Spechenhauser. In the women's field, there was space for Arianna Fontana (photo ANSA), one of the four tricolour flag bearers together with cross-country skier Federico Pellegrino, skier Federica Brignone and curling Olympian Amos Mosaner, Chiara Betti, Elisa Confortola, Arianna Sighel and Martina Valcepina.

Italy, as the host country, is guaranteed a place in the three relays on the programme: men (5,000 metres), women (3,000 metres) and mixed (2,000 metres). Thanks to the results obtained in the four stages of the 2025 edition of the World Tour, it will also have the maximum quota of three skaters in the six individual competitions (three men's and as many women's), i.e. the 500 metres, the 1,000 metres and the 1,500 metres.

"We are looking forward to this Olympics with great confidence because we are convinced that we have a strong, united and motivated team with the right mix of youth and experience. As witnessed by the results on the World Tour, the level of the group is definitely high. We therefore had to make some very difficult choices. Over the past week, together with the entire coaching staff, we have thoroughly analysed all available data and videos, reviewing all the results of this as well as last season, in order to select what we consider to be the best team. Now all we have to do is to work with our eyes fixed on our big goal” commented Azzurro high performance director Kenan Gouadec.

The national team, which is currently gathering at the federal technical centre in Bormio, will enjoy a few days off over Christmas before returning to the ice on Saturday 27 December. They will then continue training until the days leading up to the Opening Ceremony of the Games, which is scheduled to take place on Friday 6 February at Milan’s San Siro Olympic Stadium, as well as in the other Olympic territories. In the meantime, participation in the European Championships is also planned, to be held in Tilburg, Netherlands, from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 January.

Winning medal design revealed for Dakar 2026

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  • YOG

“The Roar of Youth” – a striking design by 26-year-old Spanish designer Pilar Barbadillo Vicario – has been selected for the obverse of the medals for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG). The artwork was selected by a jury following a global call for designs and will feature on the medals awarded to athletes who step on to the podium in Senegal.

Created following research into Senegalese art and symbolism, The Roar of Youth places a lion at the centre of the design, representing both the host country and the values of strength and courage. The lion’s mane is formed by two symmetrical faces inspired by Senegalese art and symbolising fairness and respect in sport. Each face is adorned with an olive crown, recalling the ancient origins of the Olympic Games and the pursuit of excellence. The design is completed with clean lines, creating a medal that reflects both local culture and the Olympic values.

Explaining her approach, Barbadillo Vicario said: “When I was designing the medal, I was thinking about what you see when you already have it at home afterwards. It represents everything you’ve achieved over time – not only the moment you win it, but all the work behind it and what can motivate you in the future”.

Currently studying for a master’s degree in UX/UI design, Barbadillo Vicario described the moment she learned she had won as deeply emotional. “I just can’t explain it,” she said. “My sisters and I love the Olympic Games – we always watch them together – and they won’t believe this. Even my fingers were shaking”.

Reflecting on what the achievement represents, she added: “Right now, I feel as if I had won one of those medals myself. Athletes express themselves through sport, and for me it’s art. Knowing that young athletes will wear a medal with my design is just incredible”.

“I wanted the medal to help winners remember where they were and what they achieved there. It’s about knowing you’ve travelled, that you’ve been somewhere, and that you’ve achieved something through your effort”.

The call for designs, launched in September 2025, attracted submissions from 103 countries, highlighting strong international interest in Dakar 2026, with designers from India, Senegal, Brazil, Mexico and France submitting the highest number of entries. As well as seeing her design awarded to athletes at the YOG, Barbadillo Vicario will be invited to attend Dakar 2026.

The designs were evaluated by a jury featuring International Olympic Committee (IOC) Dakar 2026 Coordination Commission Chair Humphrey Kayange OLY; Gangwon 2024 medal design competition winner Dante Akira Uwai; Olympian artist Annabel Eyres OLY; IOC Young Leaders Peniamina Percival OLY and Pragnya Mohan; IOC Young Reporters Yun Su Park and Yann Durand; and Dakar 2026 ambassador Elzo Jamdong. Coordination Commission Chair Kayange presented the jury’s recommendation to the IOC Executive Board last week.

The runner-up was Agisilaos Kyriazis from Greece, with the design entitled “The Sun of Values”, while third place went to Elizuba Joe Abraham from India for “The Celebration of Triumph”.

The reverse of the medal will be designed by the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee through a national competition and will incorporate Senegalese cultural elements alongside the Youth Olympic Games emblem.

The opportunity for young designers to create the obverse of the Youth Olympic medals was first introduced at the inaugural YOG in Singapore in 2010, when Japan’s Setsuko Fukuzawa created the “Yes Youth Can” design. Since then, designers from Slovakia, Romania, Indonesia, New Zealand and Brazil have seen their creations presented to young athletes on the podium at the YOG.

The Dakar 2026 YOG will take place from 31 October to 13 November 2026, bringing together 2,700 of the world’s best young athletes aged up to 17. The Games will be held across three host sites: Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.

Brignone, Mosaner, Fontana and Pellegrino: a quartet of champions as flag bearers at Milano Cortina 2026

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  • THE CHOICE OF CONI

Four champions, four stories, a historic quartet. Federica Brignone, Arianna Fontana, Amos Mosaner and Federico Pellegrino will represent the Italian team at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo on 6 February. The Winter Olympics return to Italy after 20 years and are already making Olympic history: for the first time in the history of the Olympic Games, a country will field four athletes as flag bearers in the Opening Ceremony: an absolute first that makes CONI's choice unique in the Olympic landscape.

The announcement was made by CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio, together with Secretary General Carlo Mornati and Vice President Marco Di Paola, during the official presentation entitled “Dieci Mai Per Una Scelta”, which was held at the Foro Italico. Through this presentation, CONI outlined the process, criteria and profound meaning of this unprecedented decision. Ten unprecedented sporting, symbolic and value-based conditions guided the selection of the flag bearers, making this a unique event in Olympic history.

Never before has Italy fielded a pair of athletes in the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics, nor had any country entrusted its flag to four athletes. Never before had an athlete from the Fiamme Oro (Golden Flames) marched with the Italian flag at the Winter Olympics, nor had an athlete born in Valle d'Aosta or Trentino. Furthermore, no athlete born in the city hosting the Summer or Winter Olympics had ever been a flag bearer. Additionally, no member of the CONI National Council had ever paraded with the country's symbol, nor had a curling athlete. Nor had a child in the same sport discipline as their mother or father, just as no Italian female athlete had ever been chosen twice as flag bearer until now.

These four unique stories will intertwine in a unique context: for the first time, the Opening Ceremony will be held in two different venues, reflecting the inclusive spirit of the Milano Cortina 2026 Games. Specifically, Fontana and Pellegrino will parade at the San Siro Stadium, while Brignone and Mosaner in Cortina, in the 'Pearl of the Dolomites'.

“It is now 12 o'clock, and almost 12 minutes past. This time was not chosen at random, as today is an important day. I chose this time to announce the flag bearers for Milano-Cortina 2026" Buonfiglio explained. “There is a sense of complicity with numbers, luck and superstition. The number 12 is considered to represent completeness, harmony and cyclicality. There are 12 months, hours and signs of the zodiac, and the keyword is harmony. We are trying to pursue this with determination and desire in all circumstances, and we want there to be a harmonious world”.

He added: "Harmony was also the key to the development of the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games. We started in Olympia, then we were in Athens, Rome and the Quirinale and the Stadio dei Marmi, always with harmony. Inspired by harmony, I made this decision in agreement with Secretary General Carlo Mornati, whom I thank and congratulate for his professionalism and dedication, as well as with Vice Presidents Marco Di Paola and Diana Bianchedi. This is a new Council that is very dynamic and present: I have informed all council members about the flag bearers. This is the first time I have had the honour of choosing them. You come under pressure from all sides, but you have to think objectively, philosophically and critically. We took various requirements into account: we needed a balance of representation, gender and federations; we considered CVs and history. It was a difficult puzzle, and many athletes deserved this role. We drew inspiration from history and tradition in our search for a novel solution. In Cortina, the flag bearers will be Amos Mosaner and Federica Brignone. In Milan, they will be Federico Pellegrino and Arianna Fontana. We also proposed that Sofia Goggia carry the flag for the flag-raising ceremony in Cortina”.

The athlete, following in the footsteps of a parent (her mother is Ninna Quario), born in the host city of the Games, is Federica Brignone. The 'Tiger of La Salle', a multiple Olympic medallist in alpine skiing at the 2018 PyeongChang and 2022 Beijing Games, and the first Italian ever to win the overall season's Crystal Globe trophy, has already achieved the feat of returning to skiing following her tibial plateau and fibula head injury last April. The Azzurra will parade in Cortina together with Amos Mosaner, Olympic curling champion in Beijing 2022 and world champion in mixed doubles, and today the first person from Trentino to become an Azzurri standard bearer.

In Milan, however, it will be the turn of Arianna Fontana, the multiple Olympic short track champion and Italian athlete with the most Olympic medals in history (11 podiums). She will add to her record of being the youngest Italian Olympic medallist (she won bronze in Turin 2006 at 15 years and 10 months) by becoming the first Italian to parade twice with the Tricolour. Until today, in fact, only Ugo Frigerio (athletics), Edoardo Mangiarotti (fencing), Gustav Thoeni (alpine skiing) and Paul Hildgartner (luge) had had this privilege.

Milan's other flag bearer is another winter sports icon, like Federico Pellegrino. He is the leading man of Italian cross-country skiing, a two-time silver medallist in PyeongChang and Beijing, winner of two Crystal Globes, and the first Fiamme Oro athlete and National Council member to be chosen as flag bearer.

“I am delighted and very moved to hear this news” commented Pellegrino. “Throughout my career, I have always tried to set an example, and I have always felt a responsibility towards younger athletes to represent my country on the world stage.’ All of this makes me proud. I am proud to be the first athlete from Valle d'Aosta to hold this role, and I am also proud to represent the Fiamme Oro Sports Group. Moreover, I cannot think of a better way to end my cross-country skiing career than at Milano Cortina 2026”. Brignone was also overcome with emotion. “It's a dream come true. Since the day of my injury, my motivation has been to fight and get back on my feet. I would like to thank everyone who has always been there for me, especially in recent months. When I was a child, I had three dreams: to participate in the Olympic Games, to be the flag bearer, and to win an Olympic medal". Fontana confessed: "Having the chance to represent my country again and carry the Italian flag is a great privilege. I didn't expect it, but I am very honoured. Nothing makes me prouder than leading the team I have loved for 20 years. Being flag bearer alongside Chicco Pellegrino will be a truly special experience for us both".

These four athletes embody the sporting and human excellence of the Italian team. They represent different stories, disciplines and journeys, and are capable of inspiring the whole country and new generations.

In Milan and Cortina, Team Italia will parade under the Tricolour, creating an image that is set to go down in Olympic history. Starting with the opening ceremony.

IOA and CONI Sign Landmark MoU to Strengthen Bilateral Sports Cooperation

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  • IN NEW DELHI

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) today signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi to enhance bilateral cooperation in sports. The agreement establishes a structured framework for the joint promotion of sports, exchange of expertise, and the mutual extension of access to each nation’s elite sporting infrastructure and high-performance centres for athletes, coaches, and sports science professionals.
The signing ceremony was attended by Mr. Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy and Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Hon’ble Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, reflecting the strong strategic commitment of both governments to deepen cooperation through sport.


Speaking on the occasion, Dr. PT Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association, said, “Today marks a proud moment for the Indian Olympic movement. This partnership with CONI opens new horizons for our athletes to train, learn, and excel within one of the world’s most respected sporting systems. The exchange of knowledge, expertise, and infrastructure will play a pivotal role in elevating India’s global sporting performance. We look forward to a long and inspiring collaboration with our Italian counterparts".

Echoing this sentiment, Luciano Buonfiglio, President of CONI, noted, “Italy and India share a deep passion for sport, and this MoU represents an important step in strengthening that bond. By opening our high-performance facilities and expertise to each other, we are building a bridge of excellence that will benefit both nations’ athletes for years to come. CONI is delighted to join hands with IOA in this forward-looking initiative".


The ceremony also saw special remarks from dignitaries of both nations. Mr. Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy remarked, “This collaboration reflects the growing partnership between our countries. Sport has a remarkable ability to bring people and cultures together, and today’s agreement reinforces our shared commitment to cooperation, innovation, and excellence”.


Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Hon’ble Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, added, “This partnership arrives at a crucial moment for India’s sporting ambitions. Access to world-class facilities and joint training programmes will significantly strengthen our athletes’ preparation for future Olympic cycles. The Government of India welcomes this initiative and is committed to supporting meaningful international collaborations that uplift Indian sport".

The MoU outlines structured plans for joint training camps, coaching exchanges, collaborative sports science programmes, and development pathways for emerging athletes, signalling a new era of cooperation between the two Olympic committees.

Milano Cortina 2026, the journey of the torch starts from the Stadio dei Marmi. Buonfiglio: the flame is a symbol of the desire to be leaders

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  • PALTRINIERI FIRST TORCHBEARER

From Athens to Rome, from the Panathinaiko to the Stadio dei Marmi. The solemn and historic journey of the flame of Milano Cortina 2026 has begun today. The Roman sun, a noble symbol, evokes the timeless memory of the 1960 Summer Olympics, connecting the past with an emotional, dream-filled present.

A brief ceremony at the Foro Italico marked the start of the relay, which will cover more than 12,000 kilometres and pass through 60 host cities and all 110 provinces over 63 days. The route will take in World Heritage sites and landscapes that are emblematic of the country. This journey will bind Italy to the significance of the event and its underlying values until the final stage at the San Siro Stadium for the Opening Ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

The passing of the flame, a universal symbol of peace, unity and Olympic values, will inspire communities and young people alike, leaving behind a legacy that will help create a cohesive and inclusive society.

CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio opened the emblematic event with a greeting: “It is a historic day, full of emotion. We are here in Rome, in a wonderful setting. There will be 10,001 torches, but one unique flame, which testifies to the passion and desire of an entire country to be in the spotlight. The Olympics are a boost to the country's image”.

The Minister for Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi, emphasised the significance of the journey: “Life has given us the dream of living these Games. This fire represents our passion. Sport enlightens our lives. Our thoughts go out to the organising committee, and we would like to thank the 10,000 torchbearers”.

The President of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation, Giovanni Malagò, delivered the final institutional speech. “We are here thanks to Giulio Onesti and the Games he brought to Rome in 1960” he said. “This wonderful journey will visit all the UNESCO sites, which will generate great publicity for the country. This also has profound significance as a proud response to those who denied us the opportunity to compete with Rome for the right to host another summer Olympics. Sport teaches us to pick ourselves up and celebrate new achievements, such as this one, which brings us together in a magical dream”.

A central figure of the ceremony, which united different eras under the five rings, was Giancarlo Peris, the last torchbearer of the 1960 Rome Games. After 65 years, he carried the lantern containing the flame into the Stadio dei Marmi and passed it to Malagò, who lit the cauldron.

This emotional moment marked the start of the relay, which was inaugurated by Olympic champion Gregorio Paltrinieri (pictured by Simone Ferraro), winner of one gold, two silver and two bronze Olympic medals. Paltrinieri ran the first official leg inside the Stadio dei Marmi, performing the Torch Kiss with the second torchbearer, Elisa Di Francisca, when the flame is passed between torchbearers. The Olympic fencer, winner of two gold and one silver foil fencing medal, completed her portion of the course before handing over to the third torchbearer: fellow Olympian Gianmarco Tamberi. After completing the third lap of the stadium, the winner of the gold medal in the high jump handed over the baton to basketball player Achille Polonara. The Azzurro basketball player then carried the torch out of the Stadio dei Marmi and began the relay through the streets of Rome.

The torch will visit all of the city's main sights as a tribute to the capital. The list of torchbearers includes many notable figures from the worlds of sport and entertainment, such as Matteo Berrettini, Gigi Datome, Andrea Bargnani, Max Biaggi, film director Giuseppe Tornatore, singers Achille Lauro and Noemi, actress Claudia Gerini, and fashion designer Lavinia Biagiotti.

It is planned to pass through St. Peter's Square (Vatican City), after which the flame will salute Castel Sant'Angelo. The shortened convoy will travel through the streets of Rome's historic centre, passing by the Pantheon. After the stop at the Gazometro, a facility in the Ostiense district owned by Eni, it will head to Piazza del Campidoglio, before passing the Imperial Forums and the Colosseum. A tribute to Italian cinema on a Vespa along Via Veneto will precede the last segment – at the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Montecitorio, Palazzo Chigi, Piazza di Spagna and Via del Corso. The day will end at 7.30 pm with the lighting of the cauldron, a festive moment that will mark the culmination of activities in the Piazza del Popolo celebration. Olympic magic is set to conquer Italy.

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President Mattarella lights the cauldron on the Olympic flame's journey: “Let us revive hope for peace and progress”

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  • AT THE QUIRINALE

Amidst the spectacle of the Frecce Tricolori, President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella ignited the cauldron of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic flame at Piazza del Quirinale. In the presence of Giorgia Meloni (President of the Council of Ministers), Ignazio La Russa (President of the Senate), Lorenzo Fontana (President of the Chamber of Deputies), Matteo Salvini (Minister of Infrastructure and Transport), Andrea Abodi (Minister for Sport and Youth), Kirsty Coventry (President of the IOC), Luciano Buonfiglio (President of CONI), Marco Giunio De Sanctis (President of the CIP), Giovanni Malagò (President of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation), Attilio Fontana (President of the Lombardy Region), Giuseppe Sala (Mayor of Milan) and Gianluca Lorenzi (Mayor of Cortina), the Head of State signed an important document in the lead-up to the Winter Olympic Games, which are scheduled to take place from 6 to 22 February (photo: Simone Ferraro/CONI).

“The lighting of the Olympic flame marks the start of an exciting journey and embodies universal principles” said Mattarella. “The Olympic Games provide an opportunity for men and women to progress, encouraging solidarity while demanding an end to oppression based on ethnic origin. This message is conveyed by champions in every discipline and by young people who play sports. Now, more than ever, we feel the urgent need for friendship and peace among peoples. Italy has requested the renewal of the Olympic truce, and we hope that the two months leading up to the start of the Games will ease tensions further. The Olympic sign of peace will be clear and visible everywhere, and one of the greatest riches of sport is that its achievements become part of humanity's heritage. We received the baton from Beijing, and we will hand it over to France. In this era of change, there is a need for hope, and sport contains and transmits this precious value. With the courage to overcome our limits, we can achieve great things, and by lighting the torch, we revive hope for peace and future progress”.

“The Olympia week has been incredible and stirred up a lot of emotion in me” said Coventry. “Seeing the flame arrive in Rome was moving, thanks to the great energy of the Italian people. Every athlete recognises the values of creativity and courage in the power of sport, which transcends barriers and borders, embodying the true spirit of the Olympic Games and ensuring that the dreams of the younger generation are not discriminated against. Milano Cortina 2026 will be my first Olympic Games, and I hope they will be a great success for Italy, the athletes, and the entire Olympic movement. I hope that the Games will inspire the world, and that Italy's passion for them will shine through. As an athlete, I experienced this first-hand when I competed in the 2009 World Championships here in Rome, and to this day it remains one of the most memorable championships of my career. When the torch begins its journey through Italy, it will connect millions of Italians, from the Alps to Sicily and from the largest cities to the smallest villages. Each torchbearer will carry a part of the Italian spirit: your creativity, courage, cultural heritage, joy, and passion for life. The flame carries the hopes of the athletes and the dreams of everyone who believes in the power of sport. Before the ceremony, we had the opportunity to exchange a few words, during which we recognised the power of sport to break down barriers, build bridges and strengthen communities”.

In the afternoon, the flame was carried to the CONI Hall of Honour by Diana Bianchedi, Deputy Vice President of the Olympic Committee and Chief Strategy Planning & Legacy Officer of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation. Everything is now ready for the journey of the Olympic flame, which will start from the Stadio dei Marmi.

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IOC President Kirsty Coventry receives the Onesti Prize: “A recognition that touches my heart”

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  • AT THE ACQUA ACETOSA CPO

This morning in Rome, International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry received the Giulio Onesti Prize.  At the ceremony, which took place in the Sala Magna of the CONI Acqua Acetosa Olympic Preparation Centre, the Onesti Foundation President, Franco Carraro, and the CONI President, Luciano Buonfiglio, were in attendance (photo: Roberto Di Tondo/CONI).

Having participated in the lighting ceremony of the Olympic brazier at Piazza Quirinale in anticipation of the Milano Cortina 2026 Games, Coventry arrived at the Giulio Onesti Centre at Acqua Acetosa at around 12 noon to receive the award. “Rome has a special place in my heart. I remember the 2009 World Swimming Championships.  This award touches my heart. I am speechless; it is beautiful” said the IOC President, who won a gold medal and set a world record in the 200 metres backstroke at the 2009 event in Rome, as well as a silver medal in the 400 metres medley.

To honour the former Zimbabwean athlete's achievements, President Buonfiglio presented her with a painting based on a photograph taken at the 2009 World Championships in Rome. “I started my sporting career at this centre many years ago, when TV was still in black and white” recalled the CONI president.  “We have several things in common: we were both athletes, and now we are both directors. We share the same values, passion, vision and emotions.  I want to give you this small gift to mark this special occasion for us all”.

“Dear Kirsty, thank you for being with us. It is a fantastic day for Italian sport” said President Carraro, who then recalled the story of Giulio Onesti in his speech.  “We decided to award President Coventry because she is an Olympic and world champion. She has three children and was Minister of Sport in her country. Today, she has set a new record by being elected President of the IOC” concluded the honorary member of the International Olympic Committee.

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