Emilia Romagna is the winner of the ninth summer edition of the Trofeo CONI. The team from the CONI Regional Committee, led by President Andrea Dondi, has triumphed for the first time in the history of Italy’s largest under-14 sports event. Hosts Sicily finished second, while Friuli Venezia Giulia completed the podium in third place.

After three days under the banner of sport and friendship inaugurated by the CONI Fair Play Games and continued with the competitions of the disciplines of 39 National Sports Federations and 5 Associated Sports Disciplines, with an Opening Ceremony that is already historic thanks to the presence in Catania of the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella and the President of the Senate Ignazio La Russa, the Closing Ceremony was staged in Palermo (photo Bizzi-Ferraro CONI). The Foro Italico Umberto I (with a live video link to the delegations based in Catania) hosted the final act of this ‘mini Olympics,’ organised this year by CONI Sicilia (under the leadership of President Sergio D’Antoni), in collaboration with the CONI Territorial Directorate and in partnership with the Region of Sicily, the Municipality of Catania, the Municipality of Palermo, and ITA Airways.

It was a record-breaking edition: 4,500 participants including athletes and coaches, who were widely celebrated during the Closing Ceremony. The event opened with the Italian national anthem, performed by tenor Fabrizio Corona. The audience and the young athletes themselves warmly applauded Tina and Milo, the mascots of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. On stage, comedian and theatre actor Sasà Salvaggio entertained the attendees before Sergio D’Antoni, President of CONI Sicilia, took the floor: “The Trofeo CONI has been a success. This is the great victory for all. Youth sport and the Italian territory have won. I thank all those who contributed to this splendid event. The behaviour of the young athletes has been exemplary, and we are truly pleased. It has been a great moment of unity for the country through youth sport”. “These extraordinary young people fill me with happiness and joy,” added Roberto Lagalla, Mayor of Palermo. “We are delighted that Sicily hosted this event. Here, we celebrate the beauty of youth from all the regions of Italy. The smiles of these young athletes are the most wonderful thing”. President of the Region of Sicily, Renato Schifani, echoed this sentiment: “I am very pleased that, following the Opening Ceremony in Catania, it was Palermo that hosted the Closing Ceremony. This Trofeo CONI has demonstrated a united region, one that shapes its young people not only in sport but also in principles and values”.

Two outstanding Sicilian athletes also took centre stage. Swimmer Xenia Palazzo, winner of six Paralympic medals in her career, shared: “Over the years, I have experienced powerful emotions that I will carry in my heart forever”. Weightlifter Antonino Pizzolato, bronze medallist in the 81 kg category at the Tokyo Olympic Games and in the 89 kg category in Paris, also spoke: “You young people are the future. Believe in yourselves every day and work hard. Paris was a particularly emotional Olympic Games for me: the doctors told me I would not be able to go because of a severe spinal issue. But I believed in myself, I went, and I won a medal. My bronze feels like gold. I am very proud. Youngsters, treasure these emotions, because to win, it is not about ‘I’, but ‘we’”.

For the first time, the Fair Play Award, dedicated to the memory of Gianni Gallo, was presented to a boy and a girl who demonstrated exceptional respect for the rules and leadership skills: the winners were Piedmontese golfer Caterina Chiono, awarded in Catania, and Marche athlete Orlando Rocchi, an archer. The award was presented by former skier Claudia Giordani, silver medallist in the slalom at Innsbruck 1976 and current Vice President of CONI: “On the occasion of this wonderful edition of the Trofeo CONI, we want to highlight the importance of Olympic values and fair play. Fair play means integrity, respect for the rules, respect for teammates and oneself, friendship, teamwork, solidarity, and generosity”.

In the final moments, Cecilia D’Angelo, Director of the CONI Territorial Directorate, announced the final standings: third place for Friuli Venezia Giulia, second place for Sicily, and the winner of the 2024 Trofeo CONI Summer Edition – Emilia Romagna.

The ceremony concluded with Antonino Pizzolato extinguishing the Olympic cauldron.