Solid, strong, winning. An outstanding 2025 draws to a close for Italian sport, once again confirmed among the world’s elite and demonstrating its ability to excel both in individual disciplines and in team sports.

From the world title won by the men’s national volleyball team under Fefè De Giorgi to the triumph of the women’s side coached by Julio Velasco, who claimed victory in all 22 matches played during the year. A journey that extended the Italian women’s volleyball team’s winning streak to 36 consecutive victories, with more than 80% of sets won, further embellished by Nations League and World Championship titles following the Olympic gold secured in Paris 2024.

From the many successes achieved around the globe by Italian tennis players, led by the unstoppable Jannik Sinner — who for the first time carried the Tricolour to the top of Wimbledon — to the second consecutive double triumph in the Davis Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup by the national teams.

Volleyball and tennis stand at the forefront of a movement that, even when focusing solely on the senior World Championships in Olympic disciplines for summer sports in 2025, can also celebrate the gold medals won by judokas Alice Bellandi and Assunta Scutto; fencing triumphs in sabre and foil; the world title breakthrough of swimmer Simone Cerasuolo; the lightning-fast performances in road and track cycling (including Olympic champion Elia Viviani, Italy Team flagbearer at Tokyo 2020, who brought his illustrious career to a close with victory in the elimination race at the World Championships in Santiago, Chile); the richly symbolic men’s quadruple sculls in rowing; the shooting duo of Massimo Fabbrizi and Alessia Iezzi; the now-established presence of Riccardo Pianosi in kiteboarding; and a leading figure in world athletics such as Mattia Furlani, whose gold contributed to the record haul of seven medals achieved by Italian athletics at the World Championships in Tokyo. At continental level, notable highlights include Italian athletics’ second consecutive victory in the European Cup; yet another outstanding showing by Italian swimming, which in Lublin achieved a historic best-ever medal tally (nine golds, five silvers and six bronzes) and reclaimed the points-based nations ranking (for the fifth time in the last six editions); and podium finishes in gymnastics by the “Fate” of artistic gymnastics, led by the irrepressible Manila Esposito, as well as by Sofia Raffaeli in rhythmic gymnastics, who finished third in the all-around — just as she did in 2024 at the Paris Olympic Games.

As 2025 approaches its conclusion and the Olympic year of 2026 prepares to write new chapters in history, Italy strongly reaffirms its place among the world’s sporting elite, ranking third — behind the United States and France — for the number of athletes finishing in the top eight across all senior and youth competitions held during the year, thus confirming the prestigious result achieved last season.

A level of performance of unquestionable value, further underlined by a place in the global top five for the number of podium finishes across World and European Championships, World Cup events and international tournaments — trailing only the United States, France, China and Japan. A path of excellence that also sees Italy Team ranked third in Europe and sixth worldwide for total victories, bearing witness to the solidity, consistency and multidisciplinary strength of the entire Italian sporting movement (photo ANSA).

Italy also finished sixth in the overall medal table of the 2025 World Championships in events included in the Olympic programme for Los Angeles 2028, with 41 podium finishes (13 golds, 14 silvers and 14 bronzes), ranking fifth for the number of sports in which at least one medal was won.

The new year begins with renewed confidence, strengthened by the fact that — according to the Censis report “The social value of CONI’s institutional functions” — 89% of Italians believe that medals won at the Olympic Games enhance the country’s international prestige and serve as inspiration for younger generations.

In 2026, Italia Team will be called upon to build on the successes achieved in summer sports, but the spotlight will shine in particular on athletes in winter and ice sports, engaged in a historic event returning to Italy after 20 years: the Winter Olympic Games. Following the 2025 triumphs by Francesca Lollobrigida, Davide Ghiotto and Andrea Giovannini in speed skating; Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner in curling; Roland Fischnaller and Michela Moioli in snowboarding; Flora Tabanelli in freestyle skiing; and Federica Brignone in alpine skiing, the Winter Olympic Games Milano Cortina 2026 will take place from 6 to 22 February.

A great responsibility, a tremendous privilege, and an opportunity for Italia Team to once again demonstrate to the entire world the extraordinary capabilities of Italian sport—both on and off the field of play. The hope is that, in 2026 as well, the Tricolour will fly high on podiums across the globe, starting with those bearing the five Olympic rings.