An emotional, overwhelming, and highly satisfying journey comes to an end for a team that has already made history in Italian sport.

The Salone dei Corazzieri at the Quirinale Palace in Rome hosted the official ceremony for the return of the Italian flag by the Italia Team standard-bearers from Paris 2024 to the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella (photo: Ferraro-Pagliaricci CONI).

Arianna Errigo and Gianmarco Tamberi represented the Olympic Games, and Ambra Sabatini the Paralympic Games. They led a large delegation of athletes, including medallists from Paris and those who finished in fourth place in their respective events. Also in attendance were the leading figures of Italian sport: CONI President Giovanni Malagò, CIP President Luca Pancalli, CONI Secretary General and Italia Team Head of Mission in Paris, Carlo Mornati, CONI Vice Presidents Silvia Salis and Claudia Giordani, numerous federation presidents, and the coaches who worked alongside the athletes to build Italy’s success in Paris.

In the French capital, the Italia Team achieved its best-ever Olympic medal tally: 40 medals (12 golds, 13 silvers, and 15 bronzes), the same number as the record set in Tokyo three years ago but with two more golds (12 to 10) and three more silvers (13 to 10). The ninth-place finish in the medal table confirms our country’s place among the world’s sporting elite (seventh overall in terms of podiums, third in Europe behind Great Britain and host nation France). Since the last four days of Rio 2016, Italy has never been off the Olympic podium. This streak continued in Tokyo and Paris, reaching 36 consecutive days and remains open as we look ahead to the next major target: Los Angeles 2028.

“Mr. President, thank you,” said Malagò in his speech addressed in particular to Mattarella. “The return of the flag is a ritual, but every time the sporting world comes here, to the home of Italians, there is always great emotion, there is always gratitude. You are our number one supporter. We set off with the promise to do better than Tokyo, and we did. Two more golds, a better placing, the second-best European nation behind the hosts, France. The credit goes to the athletes: they were all gladiators. Credit also goes to the coaches, officials, CONI’s Olympic Preparation Centre, and the federations. Since 18 August 2016, we won a medal on every single Olympic competition day without interruption, a streak unmatched by any other country. And then there are the fourth-place athletes, who, with your extraordinary sensitivity, you have invited. We led this ranking too, which honours us. And we also topped the ranking of fifth places: demonstrating not only the strength and depth of our team but also its quality. Usually, you would call us, this time, you were with us. In Paris, you endured adverse weather conditions, you honoured the team, and we were immensely proud of that. You visited the Olympic Village and Casa Italia, you witnessed our first medal, won by Filippo Ganna, and the second, won by Gigi Samele. Always cheering with us, proving that you are one of us. You were our first gold medal in every way. You gave us the boost to achieve this extraordinary result. We completed our mission, we made a great impression, and we gave our country a unique moment of joy. The identity of a nation is connected to the importance of its sporting achievements: we all feel proud to be Italian when we hear our anthem played at the top of a competition. From tomorrow, there will be 500 days until the next Olympics, Milano Cortina 2026. I promise we will continue to ensure that Italy remains a beacon of excellence in world sport”.

Then Pancalli took the floor: “Behind a great athlete’s achievement, there is always sacrifice, determination, commitment, and family support. We did not make any promises when receiving the flag, but we knew we had done excellent work: we exceeded expectations with two more medals than Tokyo and a sixth-place finish in the medal table. This is our best result ever, an extraordinary success. Italians have become passionate about and fallen in love with the Paralympic Games. Sport can help make a country better. And your presence at the Opening Ceremony, President Mattarella, was an immense recognition of the dignity of each and every one of us. These Games were revolutionary, we will always remember them for your presence”.

At this point, team captain Anna Danesi and the President of the Italian Volleyball Federation, Giuseppe Manfredi, presented the President of the Republic with a national team jersey and the ball from the Olympic final victory against the United States. Meanwhile, Rigivan Ganeshamoorthy gifted him the discus with which he won Paralympic gold and set three world records.

“It is truly a great pleasure to meet you all here,” said Mattarella, who presented a commemorative medal to all the athletes in attendance. “This meeting is meant to extend the celebration of sport that began with the flag presentation and continued in Paris. It aims to recapture the spirit of excitement and emotion that you so brilliantly embodied at the Games. Congratulations on improving on Tokyo: it was a tough task. It is striking that Italy secured at least one medal every day. We are the only country with this record, which is a great source of pride. There were signs that these achievements were on the horizon, both in sport and beyond. It is said that rain brings good luck: we certainly had plenty of it on 26 July. We could assess and sum up these extraordinary sporting moments we have experienced, which highlight the excellent health of Italian sport. The quality of our two teams has been evident. And the successes continue, as seen in the ongoing Cycling World Championships. The fourth places represent the athletes who, even without reaching the podium, performed brilliantly: that is the Olympic spirit. They are here today as representatives of the strength of our sporting movement. The medals were not just the achievements of individual champions but of a thriving and constantly growing sporting movement – growth that must be supported in every way. We all remember the thrilling moments, the renewed triumphs, and the challenges faced: I say to Gianmarco Tamberi and Ambra Sabatini that you won your medals through your extraordinary commitment and the support of everyone. I would have been delighted to follow your events in person: but though it was only possible for a few, I assure you I watched many of them on television. Thank you all: you have lived through unforgettable days, an experience that is a great milestone but one that came at great personal cost. Thank you for inspiring young people to commit to sport. My sincere congratulations to you all. And now, onwards to Milano Cortina 2026”.