The greeting by Vice President Scarso to Italian Team

NANJING 2014

Nanjing 2014 - italia team 2This afternoon CONI Vice President Giorgio Scarso and head delegation Anna Riccardi have met the whole Team of Italy for the ritual greeting. In the little square next to the 7th of ten buildings making up the huge Olympic Village - the same reserved to 68 Italian athletes and their 26 coaches (both Andrea Russo and his coach Marco Massara, have taken flight to Rome this morning after the accident of the Italian gymnast) – the top Manager of Fencing Federation, representing in Nanjing the CONI President Malagò, has animated our guys before the competitions started. "I would like to congratulate with all of you for the qualification – said Scarso, reached by recent past champions Alessandra Sensini (Sailing), now member of the Executive board of CONI, and the Young Ambassador Elisa Santoni (Rhythmic Gymnastics) – I want all of you to remember that you represent Italy, in addition to your discipline and the Federation you belong. That's why your behavior is very important, in and out the field. Who is underestimating this match is off the track. We are talking about a very important event for your career, you have to face with the right diligence, seriousness and the right dose of anxiety that an Olympic race often requires. You are the future of Italian sport. If we think about the last edition, many athletes taking part in Singapore are joining now the Senior Teams. I wish that you could grow up by this experience, by a technical and human point of view". The FIS president has first delivered the certificate of attendance to Italian boys, than has announced that part of CONI delegation will drop by the Italian Consul in Shanghai. "Our presence here, in China, is over sport, it reflects the entire vision of our country". The head delegation Anna Riccardi, followed by her Vice Giuseppe Gianfreda and staff of Olympic programme area, feels the same too: "Our mission – she said to athletes – is that you feel part of your team. You have to be proud of your goals, because we are proud of you. We will give you the support you need to help you reaching the best and enjoying this remarkable journey". The match gets serious by tomorrow. From Italy we are going to see Irene Enzo - Michela Lantignotti during Female Beach Volley qualifications; Riccardo Peretti and Riccardo Mager in JM2- male and Arianna Mazzoni in single female of rowing; Sofia Beggin and Manuel Todaro in Mountain Bike Cross Country (XCE); Elios Maria Manzi in 66kg category Judo; fencer Claudia Borella in female foil, Alessandra Pagliaro, weight 48 kg (weightlifting) and Giorgia Piccolin in table tennis. Nicolangelo Di Fabio (400 free style, swimming), Simone Sabbioni (100 backstroke, swimming), Ambra Esposito (100 backstroke swimming) and mixed (male and female) relay freestyle 4 x 100 by Di Fabio, Rachele Ceracchi, Claudia Tarzìa and Alessandro Bori in swimming. We finally report that CIO and LOC (NYOGOC), in a recent release - in accordance to the guidelines of Medical Authority - decided that athletes from area affected by Ebola will not compete in combat sports. (2 athletes) and in the swimming sport ( 1 athlete). A preventive measure, although the risk is very unlikely, taken with WHO to guarantee the safety of all at YOG.