The usual annual awards ceremony for CONI-USSI Literary, Sports and Journalistic Contests was held this morning in the Hall of Honor of CONI. The meeting was opened with a greeting by Giovanni Malagò, who attended the event along with the Secretary General, Roberto Fabbricini. The Examination Committees were represented by the President of the 43rd Competition, Gianni Letta, and USSI President, Giovanni Ferrajolo. Due to a sudden family problem, the President of the 48th Literary Contest, Walter Pedullà, had to leave the Hall of Honor before the start of the ceremony: however, he left a detailed and valuable written account containing the reasons for the choices made for the three sections' winners.

President Malagò opened the day stressing "the goodness of awards among the other inherited good things. I have always had respect for the category, even when I get intellectually honest criticism. I appreciate this ceremony, which gives hope to the new generations even in light of the current difficulties". Malagò finally addressed a final, emotional farewell to all the journalists who died in 2014, devoting a special thought to Marco Ansaldo's and Oscar Orefici's families, who attended the event to collect the awards dedicated to the memory of those two unforgotten champions of the category.

Gianni Letta introduced his speech with a tribute to President Malagò "for his passion, his courage and his conviction in carrying out his program, and also for the commitment that earned him the presidency, almost two years ago". Letta then expressed his satisfaction with the numbers of the Competition: the stories submitted were 75 (plus 65 stories for the Under-18 category), while in the previous contest there were just 18. "The average quality of the productions has greatly improved and I must say that the winner, Mariano Graziano, and the 2nd place, Roberto Gerace, have produced passionate and pleasant works. "9:58" is the summary of a life marked by sporting events, while "Scupetta" reflects the perception of sport in social problems through the story of a boy who becomes a football player". Letta also addressed compliments to the young Under-18 participants for the quality of their works, stressing that this competition "represents a way to introduce young people to sport and give confidence in the future of the country."

The evaluations of the President of the Literary Contest, Walter Pedullà, on the prizes awarded, were read by Danilo di Tommaso, CONI Chief Communications Officer. "The biggest surprise of this year for me came from non-fiction, while in the past I have learned more from the technical section. Once investigations were conducted with the naked eye, while now there are more sophisticated technological tools, as highlighted by this year's excellent works. The protagonists in fiction were the memory of the world hour record by Fausto Coppi, narrated in a style between news and fantasy, and the memories of an athlete still in business, while the special mention was assigned to the book on the adventures of Nesto Bordesante. The non-fiction works did not miss the opportunity to celebrate the "unforgettable" Cesare Rubini, while the first prize was awarded to a volume that explores the relationship between sport and philosophy, in an organic, deep reflection".

Luigi Ferrajolo, President of USSI, opened the prize-giving for the Journalistic Contest, apologizing for a digression in which he recalled the difficulties that the industry is facing through some data related to lost jobs and the early retirement of many professionals. "It is a crisis that concerns not only employment but also the professional role." Ferrajolo then devoted an emotional farewell to Marco Ansaldo and Oscar Orefici, giving way to the awards.

XLIII National Contest for Sports Stories

1st Prize: Marino Graziano, "9:58"

2nd Prize: Roberto Gerace, "Scupetta"

Under-18 category

Honor Plate: Rossella Lembo, "Lottare per un sogno"

Special Mention: Alessia Serluca, "Tema"

XLVIII Literary Contest

Fiction

1st Prize: Mauro Colombo, "L'ora del Fausto" (Ediciclo ed.)

2nd Prize: Max Di Franco and Lillo Cafieri, "Il bambino che sogna" (Galassia Arte)

Special Mention: Stefano Marelli, "Altre stelle uruguayane" (Rubbettino ed.)

Non-fiction

1st Prize: Giovanni Boniolo, "Le regole e il sudore" (Raffaello Cortina ed.)

2nd Prize: Oscar Eleni and Sergio Meda, "Indimenticabile (Sport & Passione)

Technical

1st Prize: Nunzio Lanotte and Sophie Lem, "Sportivi ad alta tecnologia" (Zanichelli)

2nd Prize: Vincenzo D'Onofrio, "La camminata" (Calzetti Mariucci ed.)

CONI-USSI 2014 Journalistic Contest

CONI-USSI Award "Under-35": Francesco Saverio Intorcia (La Repubblica)

CONI-USSI Award "Written Press-Society and Investigation Journalism": Giorgio Viberti (La Stampa)

CONI-USSI Award "Written Press-News and Technical Journalism": Andrea Santoni (Corriere dello Sport-Stadio)

CONI-USSI Award "Multimedia": Gianluca Pasini (La Gazzetta dello Sport)

CONI-USSI Award "Desk-Written Press": Mario Celi (Il Giornale)

CONI-USSI Award "Desk-Television": Fabio Tavelli (Sky Sport)

CONI-USSI Award "Television": Donatella Scarnati (Rai Sport)

Special award in memory of Marco Ansaldo

Special award in memory of Oscar Orefici

CONI Award "A Pen for Sport – Memorial Giorgio Tosatti": Enrico Maida