High level seminar “Combat corruption in sports toward a solid public-private alliance"

• CONI

On 19 April 2018, a high level seminar will be held at the Police Force Specialisation School (Piazza di Priscilla 6, Conference Room) in Rome on the issue of corruption in sports. The initiative is the result of collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Cooperation (MAECI), Presidency of the Council – Office for Sport, CONI and ANAC.

The event aimed at promoting practices of prevention and repression of corruption in the sports sector is consequent to the approval of the UNCAC Resolution 7/8 “Corruption in Sport”, adopted as an Italian proposal.

Activities are subdivided into three round tables. The first is dedicated to the international scenario on the issue with the participation of UNODC, OCSE, Council of Europe, UNESCO, CIO, European Commission, European Parliament and Transparency International. The second will look at the Italian scenario with the contribution of the national Authorities in charge of combating corruption in the sports environment. A third focus is reserved for integrity standards in the world of Italian sports. 

National Council Statement

• CONI

The 258th National Council of CONI met this afternoon at 16.30 in the Salone d’Onore of Foro Italico.

The following Agenda was discussed:

1) Approval of the minutes of the meeting of 12 March 2017: unanimously approved.

2) Statement by the President: Mr Malagò started the meeting by remembering the people in the sporting world who had passed away in the last month and highlighted the significant results achieved by Italian athletes in the same period. The President then discussed the subject of the 2026 Winter Games, reconstructing the dynamics that led CONI - in the last few weeks - to submit the applications of Milan/Turin/Cortina for the dialogue phase with the CIO.

Malagò reminded those present that every conversation is premature considering the fact that a Government has not been formed. Then the principal changes were presented connected to the fundamental principles of the Federal Articles of Association brought up for discussion and those anticipated by the integration of the Codice di Giustizia Sportiva (Sports Justice Code). The subject relative to the growing request for recognition by various disciplines was also discussed, hoping for international regulation of the overall picture.

Then the developments of “Sports and Suburbs” was discussed, and the now imminent Mediterranean Games scheduled for Tarragona at the end June. Focus was then shifted to Tokyo 2020, for the logistics discussions connected to the last phase of the preparation of the team and the selections relative to Casa Italia. The date of 3 June was then made official for the celebrations of the annual National Day of Sports, which will be combined with the subject of the environment. 

Regarding the report and the other subjects of a general nature, following the summary of Massimo Proto and Francesco Soro on the technical aspects of the regulatory changes, the following spoke: Giorgio Scarso (Fencing), Michele Maffei (Representative Meritorious Sports Associations), Andrea Mancino (Sports Promotion Associations), Claudio Matteoli (Sport Fishing and Underwater Activities), Vincenzo Iaconianni (Speed Boat Racing), Sabatino Aracu (Roller Sports), Michele Barbone (Sport Dance), Alfio Giomi (Athletics), Luciano Buonfiglio (Canoe), Ugo Salines (Sports Promotion Associations), Raffaella Masciadri (Athletes Commission), Orazio Arancio (Commission of Technicians).

3) F.S.N .- D.S.A. - E.P.S. activities: The following resolutions were unanimously approved: 1) New fundamental principles of the articles of association of the FSN and DSA 2) Approval of the changes to the Sports Justice Code, pursuant to Article 6, paragraph 4, letter B of the CONI Articles of Association 3) Change to Article 11 of the Organization and Operating Regulation of the Sports Power of Attorney, pursuant to Art. 12 ter of the CONI Articles of Association. As there was no other business, the meeting came to an end at 18.35.

Press Release - 2026 Olympic Winter Games

• CONI

The Italian National Olympic Committee has informed the International Olympic Committee of its desire to proceed with the Dialogue Phase for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, which had already been initiated over the previous months following the invitation received from the IOC on 29 September 2017.

Due to the need to comply with the formal due date specified by the IOC and following numerous meetings and communications with the heads of the International Olympic Committee, CONI expressed this intention in a letter, declaring the candidatures of the City of Milan/Turin.

This letter also explicitly stated that CONI is awaiting the formation of the new government to which, adhering to the times and methods agreed, it shall present a feasibility study, already completed at the beginning of 2018, for a comprehensive evaluation of the entire project, which could benefit the whole of Italy, even in the light of the cost reductions in the 2020 Agenda.

CONI notes that the dialogue phase involves collaboration between CONI, the City and the IOC in order to identify the best solution for the needs of the country, therefore considering the possibility, as part of a joint project, of expanding potential solutions for the different Olympic competitions to other areas.

Following the dialogue phase, in view of its technical expertise and in compliance with the Olympic Charter, it will be the IOC alone to make the decision regarding which City will be invited to be the official candidate for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

For additional comments, CONI would like to draw attention to the IOC communications scheduled for Tuesday 3 April.

The Italian National Olympic Committee, after publishing the press release in which it announced the intention to continue in the phase of dialogue for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games with the City of Milan/Turin, received a letter this afternoon from the Mayor of Cortina and a letter from the President of the Veneto Region in which they express their interest in entering the phase of dialogue for the same candidacy process with the city of Cortina.
CONI forwarded the two letters properly to the CIO General Director in the common interest of identifying the best scenario for the Italian territory.

The Italian Flag has returned to the Quirinale. Mattarella: you have represented the Country with prestige

• PYEONGCHANG 2018

The day was opened with a greeting from CONI president Giovanni Malagò. "I am very pleased with the results of the entire Italian team. In this unique and symbolically important moment celebrating the Italians’ return from our adventure in Korea for the Winter Olympics, I would like to present the new Secretary General of CONI, Carlo Mornati: for the first time ever an Olympic athlete has been appointed Secretary, an important message that I want to spread to all Italian athletes. Not only did we meet our goal of winning metals in double digits, which is an important statistic, but I overlooked an important aspect: the President of CONI and those who work for the Olympic Committee should not only be assessed for the number of medals won but for a team's overall figure, image, behaviour and style. These are all factors that characterise our experience in those 17 days before, during and after the Olympic Winter Games. President, each component of the Italian team held their head high. Sometimes situations affect a victory on the field: perhaps the wrong declarations, behaviours criticised by juries, every so often with reason, with doping constantly threatening the sports world. We made a good impression from every point of view; we are proud of this flag we wear on our hearts. We were exemplary both in sports events and outside the sporting world, also at an international level and in relations with the IOC, always seeking to honour the message which you, Mr President, have made us a part of before the games thanks to Casa Italia: a symbolic place to exalt our brand and group many initiatives together, also within the scope of the formidable diplomacy that has characterised the Olympic Games in Korea. We are honoured to be here with our flag-bearer, who was incredible and won a gold medal 24 years after another flag-bearer such as Deborah Compagnoni, but it was a women's Olympics for us thanks to the golds won by Sofia Goggia and Michela Moioli. We are proud of you. We are proud to be Italian, we are proud to be here".

The President of the Italian Paralympic Committee, Luca Pancalli: "What our athletes did is extraordinary, not only for the results achieved, but also because we hadn't won any medals in Sochi. It symbolises the triumph of sports as a tool for rehabilitating civil society. We started from a debacle, and I’m not only considering those who won medals, but also those who almost won them. I would like to thank Malagò and the authorities, both governmental and military and especially the President of the Republic, who have never ceased to support us, because even in this delicate moment for our country they have once again found time to welcome us after the Olympics and Paralympics. We have the presumption and pride of representing a small part of the country's welfare, and it is an honour to participate in such an event".

The Minister for Sport, Luca Lotti: "Thank you and thanks to the government and all the Italians, who like me woke up in the middle of the night to watch your Olympic events. Thanks to the athletes, the presidents, the sporting groups and all those who work behind the scenes with strength. The work of so many people supports your victories. I was fortunate enough to participate in the opening ceremonies: it may have been quite cold but it was an evening full of excitement for you. That evening we saw the message that sports knows how to convey. Behind the handshake between the two Koreas is a universal message of how sports unite. During the flag ceremony I told the story of Colò, the only Italian to have won a medal in downhill skiing: this is no longer so. Before leaving, I asked you to look to the athletes of the past and you followed my word to the letter: as an Italian, the best way to say thanks is to highlight how you have now become those champions of the past, setting an example for youth of how to make sacrifices and reach success. Perhaps some of that youth will become our future champions. I am also very pleased by the women's team. Your victories are the best way to show Italians that targets can be reached when you never give up".

The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella: "Congratulations to you for having participated in an exciting experience, and not just in terms of sports. The Olympics are a time of gathering, of human coexistence, an opportunity for peace, and this was confirmed in PyeongChang. You were greatly followed in Italy, even if the time difference did not always let us watch you live. I managed to see Fontana's 500 metre race live, and it was truly exciting. I considered how much those few moments express the laborious preparation that goes into them. Sometimes those who watch don’t fully grasp the amount of sacrifice, commitment, preparation and concentration that is needed. I saw Sofia Goggia's downhill race. I spoke with her on the phone and she told me that before coming to the Quirinale she had another commitment, yet she won just like Michela Moioli. Congratulations also to her for an extraordinary race, whose rhythms suggested how much control is necessary in each movement: a truly amazing spectacle. Fontana had a crescendo, winning a bronze, silver and a gold. I also saw the 3000 metre race; it wasn’t always easy to understand what was happening, but was nonetheless fascinating. All the hard work of women: I do not want to offend the men, but it is a wonderful fact that encourages the girls of our country to work even harder. Bertagnolli and Casal's medals were an extraordinary sight. We all cheered for you, those who represent ideal behaviour, the paradigm of life. Your performance is based on mutual trust and is a reminder to all. Congratulations to everyone, you won a significant number of medals which demonstrate the level of Italian sports; but the most beautiful spectacle was seen in the commitment and passion of all the athletes who participated in the games. CONI and CIP exist to ensure team value and are the heritage of our country. The Olympics are a reminder of commitment to all our youth: I hope that this reminder is effective and helps to ever-improve our country. The Italian flag with your signatures is a beautiful memory and the sign that you represented our country with great prestige. Thank you again, welcome back and congratulations".

The following athletes participated in the event: Arianna Fontana, Cecilia Maffei, Lucia Peretti and Martina Valcepina (Short Track), Federica Brignone and Sofia Goggia (Alpine Skiing), Lukas Hofer, Dominik Windisch, Lisa Vittozzi and Dorothea Wierer (Biathlon), Michela Moioli (Snowboard), Federico Pellegrino (Cross-Country Skiing), Nicola Tumolero (Speed Skating), and the Paralympic medalists Giacomo Bertagnolli and Fabrizio Casal (Alpine S).

Meeting between Malagò and IOC President Bach in Lausanne

• CONI

Today CONI President Giovanni Malagò met IOC President Thomas Bach in Lausanne. The meeting was attended by Italian IOC members Franco Carraro and Mario Pescante and the IOC General Director Christophe de Kepper.

The topics discussed during the summit, which lasted about two hours, included an update on the IOC Session planned in Milan in 2019, the forthcoming international events scheduled to be held in Italy and those that could potentially be held in the country, as well as the various issues relating to the application process for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

The IOC was made aware of the various requests CONI has received for the Winter Olympics in recent months, as well as a general assessment of a political nature in relation to the composition of the country's future government.

CONI and the IOC will continue to monitor the various changes in the scope of their respective responsibilities and will update each other in a forthcoming meeting.

"I am satisfied with the results of the meeting”, said Malagò, The IOC appreciated the current increased interest in Italy relating to sports and the Olympic Games. In principle there is no preclusion toward anyone, but we must proceed with caution because all future discussions cannot overlook the new Government".

National Council Statement

• CONI

The 257th National Council of CONI met this afternoon at 15.00 in the Salone d’Onore of Foro Italico.

The National Council discussed the following Agenda:

1) Approval of the minutes of the meeting of 19 December 2017: unanimously approved.

2) Statement by the President: Malagò opened discussions by remembering the athletes that have passed away over the last 3 months, while also stressing the important results achieved by the Italians in the same period, especially highlighting those obtained by the team sent to the Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang and citing the figures and statistics demonstrating their impressive performance. The appointment of Carlo Mornati as the new CONI Secretary General was officially approved, with the simultaneous investiture of Roberto Fabbricini as President of CONI Servizi, with powers over the territory and the staff.

The President underlined the presence of three Commissioners on the Board: Francesco Soro (UITS), Roberto Fabbricini (FIGC) and Pierluigi Matera (AeroClub), specifying that the new Executive will be asked to link the various vigilant Ministries under the aegis of a single entity.

It was then demonstrated that the final drafting of the fundamental principles of the Federations’ and DSA's statues is near completion: a crucial crossroads for the motives behind the consolidation. In the next meeting of the National Council of 10 April the conclusive findings will be presented, as well as the tasks linked to the principles of sports justice. In relation to a letter from Assofederazioni regarding the relationships between the Federations and certain Sports Promotion Bodies, Malagò also announced that the topic will be addressed in the coming weeks to assess the issues that affect these relationships.

In regard to the fiduciary nature of regional roles related to sports facilities, also after a recent episode Sicily, it was specified that different criteria will be established for the choice of CONI delegates in this context, through the consultation of a register of professionals.

A pleasant surprise was announced in relation to Sport and Peripheries, with an additional allocation of resources from the government. The meeting closed with congratulations to those elected to represent the sporting world in the two Cameras with National Council members Paolo Barelli and Claudio Barbaro, the technician Felice Mariani, Roberto Pella, Cosimo Sibilia, Marco Marin, Lara Magoni and Giusy Versace. Congratulations also to Diego Nepi for Italy's extraordinary success in PyeongChang. Finally, it was announced that on 27 March the ceremony will be held for the return of the Italian flag to the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella.

The following intervened in relation to the report and other matters: Roberto Fabbricini, Franco Carraro (CIO member), Carlo Mornati, Giovanni Petrucci (Basketball), Claudio Matteoli (Sport Fishing and Diving), Bruno Cattaneo (Volleyball), Luciano Buonfiglio (Canoe and Kayak), Ugo Salines (Sports Promotion Bodies), Vincenzo Manco (Sports Promotion Bodies), Gherardo Tecchi (Gymnastics), Claudio Barbaro (Sports Promotion Bodies), Bruno Molea (Sports Promotion Bodies), Raffaella Masciadri (Athletes Commission), Mario Pescante (CIO member), Eugenio Giani (Provincial Delegates Representative), Andrea Mancino (Sports Promotion Bodies), Angelo Binaghi (Tennis).

3) F.S.N .- D.S.A. - E.P.S. activities : The following resolution was unanimously approved: 1) ratification of the CONI National Council resolution number 52 for the appointment of the Extraordinary Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners of the Italian Football Federation.

As there was no other business, the meeting came to an end at 17.35. 

Carlo Mornati new Secretary General of Italian National Olympic Committee

• CONI

Carlo Mornati is the new Secretary General of the Italian National Olympic Committee. He takes the place of Roberto Fabbricini. Born in Lecco on 16 March, 1972, he is a Law graduate from the Sacro Cuore Catholic University of Milan with a degree in international studies (1998), attended a course in Australian Industrial Relations at the University of Technology of Sydney (1998) and has a 2^nd level Master's degree in Sports Law and Economics (2007).

Between 2005 and 2009 he was a member of the National Executive of the CONI in athletes' quota and since 2009 has worked at the Olympics Preparation Office.

Since 2013 he has been Deputy to the Secretary General of the Organization and responsible for Olympic Preparation activities and all General Secretariat Activities.

He is currently a member of the Executive Management Committee and of the Steering Committee of the Cortina Foundation 2021.

He was Head of Mission of the Italian Olympic Team in Sochi 2014, Rio de Janeiro 2016 and PyeongChang 2018.

During his career as an athlete, he took part in four Olympic Games, winning the silver medal in Sydney 2000 in the coxless 4 rowing competition, and in two World Championships where he reached the podium six more times, taking 3 silver and 3 bronze medals.

Tokyo 2020 Unveils Olympic & Paralympic Mascots

• OLYMPIC GAMES

The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020) today unveiled their official Olympic and Paralympic mascots, following an evaluation of three shortlisted design sets by elementary schoolchildren across Japan and at Japanese schools overseas. Design Set A secured the largest number of classroom votes and will accordingly serve as the official mascots of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.

205,755 classes at 16,769 schools took part in the election, with the winning Design Set A receiving 109,041 votes. Design Set B attracted 61,423 votes and Design Set C received 35,291. The results were announced in front of around 600 children at Hoyonomori Gakuen School in Tokyo, one of the schools which participated in the voting process. The ceremony was live-streamed in order to allow children all over the country to share the moment and discover the winner in real time. Public viewings were also organised in several schools.

In December 2017, Tokyo 2020 published a shortlist of three mascot design sets, each containing an Olympic and a Paralympic mascot, following a review of 2,042 entries submitted by the public during a nationwide competition. Elementary school classes across the country and in Japanese schools overseas were then invited to evaluate the shortlisted designs, with each class asked to cast a single vote in favour of one of the sets.

The mascot voting process was part of Tokyo 2020's nationwide educational programme called “Yoi Don!” (“Get Set”), which brings the Olympic and Paralympic Games into schools across Japan and allows students to actively participate in educational initiatives linked to the Games. By encouraging discussion of the mascots in classes, the voting process helped children learn about the values of the Olympic and Paralympic Movements.

Commented Ryohei Miyata, Mascot Selection Panel Chairperson, “The Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games finally have their mascots. This means a lot, especially in Japan. I cannot wait to see these two characters coming to life in the stadiums, on the streets and on TV. The children selected two mascots that embody both ancient tradition and new innovation. I believe this is an excellent choice since Tokyo 2020's branding vision is “innovation from harmony”, which implies that innovation will occur when the old and the new of Tokyo and Japan come together.”

The Mascot Selection Panel will now decide names for the winning mascots, which will make their official debut in July or August 2018.

The designer of the winning mascots is Ryo Taniguchi. Born in 1974, Taniguchi lives in Fukuoka, in southern Japan. He graduated as an art major from Cabrillo College in California, in the United States, and is currently active as a character designer/illustrator. His work has been featured by companies and at exhibitions in Japan.

Taniguchi and the two runners-up – Kana Yano (Design Set B) and Sanae Akimoto (Design Set C) – attended the ceremony, with each receiving an award.

The PyeongChang Games Have Come to an End, Italy says goodbye with Kostner as flag-bearer

• ROAD TO BEIJING 2022

The XXIII Olympic Winter Games ended as they began, under the banner of peace. The next appointment is in four years and will still be held in Asia with the Olympic flame passing to Beijing, China, which will return to enjoy the five-circled dream after having organised the summer edition.
In the closing ceremony of PyeongChang 2018 held this evening at the Olympic Stadium, the IOC President Thomas Bach entrusted the Olympic flag to Jining Chen, mayor of Beijing, which will host the 2022 games. The Chinese director Zhang Yimou, who already directed the Beijing 2008 ceremonies, offered a preview of the Olympic Games to come. Postcards from China, along with the message: "We’ll see you in Beijing".

This evening, however, it is time to say goodbye to the Games that just ended. The Italians are in fifth place for number of medals received in the winter games’ all-time ranking (and in fourth place if you don’t consider its 'home' games in Turin, 2006) and demonstrate the women's prowess in the Olympics, where six of the ten Italian medals were won by women and the three gold metals carry the smiles of Arianna Fontana (short track), Michela Moioli (snowboard) and Sofia Goggia (alpine skiing).
Women such as Carolina Kostner (photo Ferraro-Pagliaricci GMT) were chosen to parade this evening under the eyes of the Mission Director and Deputy Secretary General of CONI Carlo Mornati and by the Italian Ambassador in Korea, Marco Della Seta, with the Italian flag that the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella delivered to Arianna Fontana at the Quirinale.

A proper recognition of the career of the Olympic bronze-medal skater in Sochi 2014, who had marched with the Italian flag in Turin in 2006, at a very young age.
Twelve years later, Carolina still represented Italy and retraced her footsteps, this time in the opposite direction as a Short Track Olympic Champion and flag-bearer in the closing ceremony of the Russian games.

The Italian champion entered the stadium between Iran and Israel (according to the Korean alphabet) around 20:15, forming a coloured circle with the other 90 flag-bearers (the complete list can be found here), around which the protagonists of the games marched: the athletes.  The Italian team entered just before 20:30, led by Arianna Fontana with three medals around her neck, carried triumphantly by the skaters Luca Lanotte and Ondrej Hotarek, as her victories are the victories of a team and of an entire country.

Just like the opening ceremony of 9 February, the show tonight continued to recount the traditions and innovations of the peninsula and spoke of peace, once again with the two Koreas parading together last, alternating their flags with those of a united Korea.

Every edition of the games remains immortalised in certain images which become part of history. Those of PyeongChang 2018 can be seen in the handshake between the President of South Korea, Moon Jae-in, and Kim Yojong, sister of the North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, in the excitement of the two countries’ athletes while on the women's hockey field and the two parades, under a single flag.

Tonight's ceremony placed a definitive seal on the games: different elements which, together, became harmony and united the world. "The New Wave" (title of the closing ceremony): a new wave that overcomes any obstacle, a message conveyed by sports that pushes beyond every barrier.  

Legendary Fontana! Bronze medal in the 1000, 10th podium for Italy. The second best Italian athlete ever at the Winter Olympics in terms of medals won

• SHORT TRACK

Her sharp blades have made history again. Another gem that embellishes an infinite collection: this was an unbeatable Fontana. The Italian flag bearer, who had already taken the gold medal in the 500-metre race and the silver medal in the relay, bagged a bronze in the 1000 metres short track event, the only distance in which she had still not won an Olympic medal. It was her who took Italy into double digits: this was in fact the tenth Italian medal at PyeongChang2018 and the eighth for our flag bearer (the third in Korea) who thus climbed onto the second step of the Italian podium of all time in the winter Games - just behind Stefania Belmondo (first with 10 medals) - and onto the fifth overall, together with Giovanna Trillini, in the Italian summer and winter all-time Olympic ratings. An incredible champion, exceptional in her uniqueness, able to take even the absolute record of the most winning athlete of the short track world; one shared with Apolo Antonio Ohio (USA) and Viktor An (Korea and Russia).

She is the lady of ice that breaks record after record, thanks to an enviable balancing act and technical gestures which exalts explosiveness and harmony, rapidity and intelligence. Arianna managed the 1000 event with surgical wisdom and glacial concentration, easily passing the quarter finals and achieving a new personal record (1'29 "156) in the semi-finals. In the final, she gave us a show of her outstanding ability, turning experience and a clever interpretation of the race into weapons to neutralize dangers: she crossed the line behind the Dutch athlete, Schulting and the Canadian, Boutin, without being sucked into the collision course of the two Koreans.