First official appearance for CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio at the Settecolli: “An honour to award our athletes”

FORO ITALICO

27 June 2025

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Luciano Buonfiglio, newly appointed President of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), made his first official appearance on the national stage at the 61st edition of the Settecolli Trophy, held at Foro Italico in Rome. On the second day of competition, he presented an award to rising swimming star Sara Curtis, one of the brightest young talents in Italian swimming (photo: Scala-Staccioli/FIN).

“Being here with Paolo Barelli and the Italian Swimming Federation, one of the most decorated and socially engaged federations in our sporting landscape, is a wonderful way to begin this journey,” said Buonfiglio. “Honouring these athletes is an emotional privilege. Athletes must be at the heart of our priorities – not just in words, but in action”.

“It’s a pleasure to have such a large audience and to welcome President Buonfiglio,” commented Paolo Barelli, President of the Italian Swimming Federation. “We’ve been friends for a long time, and while I didn’t vote for him, I’m very glad he’s here. He’s a President who has competed at the highest level and knows what it means to be an athlete. CONI must focus its efforts on athletes, sports clubs, and federations. I wish him well in serving the interests of Italian sport – but let’s remember, he doesn’t have a magic wand to solve every problem overnight”.