500 days to Rio 2016

Only 500 days separate us from the start of the Games of Rio 2016. The countdown for the XXXI Olympic Games, which will be held in Brazil from 5 to 21 August, continues. The Brazilian city was elected during the IOC session of 2 October 2009 in Copenhagen, beating Madrid in the final vote. The most important sporting event will be held in South America for the first time.

The Olympic programme will include golf and rugby sevens. 10,500 athletes from 205 countries will compete in 43 disciplines over the 17 days of the Games. The events will be held in four areas: Barra, Copacabana, Maracanà (which will host the Opening Ceremony) and Deodoro, while the full programme of the event will go live in two Olympic Parks: Barra Olympic Park and Deodoro Olympic Park. The event is intended to deeply change the heart of the Brazilian city, aiming to accelerate the development process in terms of infrastructure, transport, security and hospitality. Italy has already earned itself 19 Olympic Quotas for Rio 2016: 10 for Sailing (in 7 classes), 6 for Skeet shooting, and 3 for Shooting.

Pescante presents the Olympic truce. “Sport, an instrument for peace”.

The UN Resolution on the Olympic truce was presented today, in the Hall of Honour, in view of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, with 513 days left until the five circled event. The initiative, organised by the IOC member and Permanent Observer at the UN, Mario Pescante, had a large attendance of many representatives from the world of competitive sports, and some Olympic champions and azzurri medallists capable of writing the history of the movement, such as Manuela Di Centa (Cross Country), Mauro Checcoli (Equestrian Sports), Luca Pancalli (Pentathlon and Paralympic swimming), Novella Calligaris (Swimming), Daniele Masala (Modern Pentathlon) and Nicola Pietrangeli (Tennis). The paralympic athletes Oxana Corsa (Athletics) and Matteo Cavagnini (Wheelchair basketball) were also present.

In addition to the CONI General Secretary, Roberto Fabbricini, also in attendance was the Deputy Secretary, Carlo Mornati; the President of CONI Services, Franco Chimenti; several federal presidents and numerous personalities at the press conference, including the President of the Court of Auditors, Pasquale Squitieri, Gianni Letta; the Undersecretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture, Monsignor Melchor Sanchez; the Rector of the Foro Italico University, Fabio Pigozzi; the President of FITAV (The Italian Skeet Shooting Federation) and Senator, Luciano Rossi; the Senator Raffaele Ranucci; the former Undersecretary of State for Sport, Rocco Crimi and the Acting Deputy Chairman of the Constitutional Court, Luigi Mazzella.

CONI President, Giovanni Malagò, opened the meeting pointing out the importance of the subject and the fundamental role played by sport. “I congratulate Mario Pescante, IOC ambassador within the UN. We are the only sector where everyone agrees, because sport is a tool that brings people together beyond any barrier. There is a thread that binds us. It is the story that teaches us how to overcome so many stories of diversity. With a meaning which is more beautiful than the medals. We have to promote these subjects, keep them alive. Bach is doing well entrusting this task to Pescante and we are doing well in supporting it. All countries must be greater than what is happening in the world. We have to show how sport goes far beyond its mission. We must be one family, even if we are rivals on the field. A final farewell to the French athletes disappeared in the tragedy in Argentina”.

Mario Pescante developed the subject with a large series of cases called upon to enhance the content of the message. “We are experiencing a period of tormented coexistence in many parts of the world. In this context, talking about peace seems to be an absurd exercise but the UN and the IOC, cooperating to ensure the United Nations Assembly, on the eve of Rio 2016, adopts the Olympic Truce, through the sharing of the majority of countries. It is a privilege to start the path that will lead us to the Games tailor made for CONI, due to the prestige of our Olympic Committee in the world, thanks to the link of the Country with Christianity and due to the values it represents. I remember a letter that an Iraqi journalist, Rafid, sent me after the first Iraqi victory in the Asian Cup by Iraq, calling to emphasize the importance of sport as a source of development of an ideal born in 776 BC, when the sacred truce was declared in the first Olympic Games. That universal ideal is called peace. Today we only hear of clashes and not much about dialogue. No one should fear the sound of the word "peace". The world of sport is not afraid to do it, it never has been. The UN has fought to return to the Olympic truce, since the 1992 Barcelona Games. The official motto is not so much "Faster, higher, stronger”, as “the important thing is to participate", as it has a greater content. Baron De Coubertin said it, by wanting to gather women and men of all ethnic, political and religious beliefs, everyone is included, indiscriminately, in helping to build a world that includes and does not divide. The United Nations has urged the IOC, as a permanent observer within the Assembly, to raise awareness about the importance of the Olympic truce. The IOC will commit to doing this even before Rio. It is a symbolic message, a call that goes to the heart of young people from every continent, who speak the same universal language. People are already separated by borders but the geographical barriers are not the ones doing the separating, the dividing factors are ethnic discrimination, political rivalries and religious factionalism. Sport is a great bridge that connects people together. The Paralympics are another opportunity to show what the sporting world is capable of, what it represents. On the field they are opponents, but later on they are friends for life. There are many cases that prove this. I would like to mention the case of Eugenio Monti, the two-man bobsleigh pilot, who at the 1964 Innsbruck Games handed over to the English team (at that point in second position) the bolt to fix their vehicle and then win the race. Monti won the bronze but the IOC awarded him the Pierre De Coubertin Fair Play Award due to his gesture of sportsmanship. There are many other incredible stories, like those showing how sport can bring people together beyond diversity: I'm thinking of the shooting sport podium at the Beijing Games in 2008, with the Russian and Georgian athletes who embraced to celebrate. They were two mothers, who found out that the day before an armed conflict had broken out between their countries. They asked to live in a more peaceful world and they demonstrated it in that world. I'm thinking about how cricket has inaugurated the resumption of diplomacy between India and Pakistan or how sport has brought Israel and Palestine closer. Our movement has always preceded the political relations of cooperation between countries. Because the world behind the Olympic flag is one single family”.

Manuela Di Centa, Mauro Checcoli, Luca Pancalli, Novella Calligaris, Daniele Masala and Nicola Pietrangeli have remembered their experiences in the Olympic world, emphasizing the importance of sport as a synonym for friendship and union. The Olympic Village, the rules and the universal values of the Games as proof of diversity which becomes a resource and a reason for sharing. The importance of a strong message has always been renewed by CONI, a message that is never dull and always modern. A message that will accompany us up to the Rio Olympic Games in 2016.

Carolina Kostner’s case, Prosecutor submits Statement of Appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sports

The Anti-Doping Prosecutor's Office has announced that it has submitted today a Statement of Appeal to the CAS in Lausanne - pursuant to art. R.48 of CAS Code - upon decision no.18/2014 taken by the Second Chamber of the National Anti-Doping Court against the athlete Carolina Kostner.

National Board announcement

The 1,032nd meeting of the CONI National Board was held this morning at the Foro Italico, which began its work by approving the minutes of the previous meeting of 13 January. In his announcements President Malagò updated the Board on the recent framework agreement signed by CONI with NAS on the matter of Anti-doping. With regards to Rome 2024 Luca Montezemolo was appointed as President with Luca Pancalli as Vice President. It was established that the next Board will meet at the headquarters of the Paralympic Committee, while the Board of 15 September will be held in Turin. The list of Olympic Clubs was updated with the inclusion of Edwige Gwende (Judo) who meets the set criteria. The CONI/Coni Servizi service contract was approved. After reviewing a long list of other issues on organisational and administrative matters and having taken the relevant decisions, the Board finalised its work at 12:20.

National Council press release

The 238th National Council of CONI met this afternoon at the Foro Italico to discuss the following agenda:

1) Approval of the minutes of the meeting held on December 18, 2014: approved unanimously.

2) President's communications: Malagò opened the proceedings by handing the Golden Star for sports merit to the journalist Tito Stagno, remembering the personalities of the sporting world that passed away during the first two months of the year and underlining the good results achieved by Italian athletes in the same period.The President then proceeded to remind the audience that the meetings of the Board and of the Council will be held in Milan for the entire duration of the EXPO 2015, along with a number of initiatives also linked to particularly relevant sporting events, intended to develop a synergy between this global event and the great family of CONI. Malagò simultaneously stressed that the Board will meet in March at CIP and on September 15 in Turin, European Capital of Sport 2015. The President then stated, regarding the ISTAT situation, that CONI is working to provide assistance to the Federations, co-operating with them to create the necessary conditions to face this year of transition in view of the binding legislative compliance. Malagò reiterated the announcement, made at the end of the previous Board meeting, regarding the appointment of Luca Cordero di Montezemolo as President of the Organizing Committee of Rome 2024, with Luca Pancalli as his Vice President, in respect of the agreement with the mayor of Rome, Ignazio Marino. The Committee will be hosted in-house, located within CONI HQ, following the guidelines of the spending review, with the possibility of including a skilled female member in the team. Regarding Rio 2016, CONI is waiting for the formalization of the location of Casa Italia, while Baku will probably see the participation of about 300 athletes, with no participants for athletics, acrobatic gymnastics and sambo.

The President then recalled the importance of the agreement signed with NAS, expressing his pride for this turning point in the fight against doping shared with the government. The professionals within the bodies, previously appointed by CONI, will be from now on chosen through assessments also approved by the Undersecretary of the Presidency of the Council with Responsibility for Sports, Graziano Delrio, and the Minister of Health, Beatrice Lorenzin. Malagò also spoke about the joint board composed of Federations, Organizations and Disciplines to develop shared subjects. Finally, the President announced the signing of the new agreement between CONI and CONI Servizi, and praised the successful initiative linked to the exhibition of the Olympic Torches in Cosenza. The following people commented on the President’s repost: Alfio Giomi (Athletics), Romolo Rizzoli (Bowls), Bruno Molea (Representatives of Sport Promotion Organizations), Riccardo Viola (Representative of Regional Committees), and Ugo Claudio Matteoli (Sport Fishing).

3) F.S.N.-D.S.A.-E.P.S activities: the Council unanimously approved the following resolutions: integration of appointment of the Warranty Board (through the names of Giuseppe Albenzio, Alessandro Di Majo, Patrizia Ferrari, Angelo Piazza e Alfonso Picone), integration of standards of the Sports Justice Code and the Special Procedures Regulations on art.62bis of the Sports Justice Code and UEFA Licenses Arbitration Body Regulations. Having nothing else to discuss, the meeting was concluded at 16:20.

Anti-doping agreement with NAS presented. Malagò: "Italian NADO free from constraint"

The anti-doping framework agreement between CONI and NAS has been presented today in the Hall of Honor. The press conference was attended by the President of CONI, Giovanni Malagò, the Commanding General of the Carabinieri, Tullio Del Sette, the Commanding General of NAS, Cosimo Piccinno, and the Undersecretary to the President of the Council of Ministers with responsibility for Sports, Graziano Delrio. The Secretary General of CONI, Roberto Fabbricini, and the Deputy Secretary General, Carlo Mornati, were also present. The Minister of Health, Beatrice Lorenzin, who was absent for personal reasons, sent a message of support for the initiative: "the institutions are unconditionally committed to provide a response that is adequate to the size and the complexity of the phenomenon, and this agreement precisely represents that effective, decisive response".

Undersecretary Delrio expressed the satisfaction of the Government towards the agreement. "I am happy to be here, because this is an initiative of the utmost importance: it is an important step to promote transparency and legality, in a direction that has always been supported by the government. Clean sport is also educative sport: we were already a centre of excellence, and with this agreement, we are even better. The CONI has made great strides in fighting doping. The introduction of this new, independent figure gives strength to the project and ensures an autonomy that was missing before this significant change of pace".

The Commanding General of the Carabinieri, Tullio Del Sette, broadened the concept: "This is an important goal in terms of transparency in sports. The NAS, the Department for the protection of health, is an international centre of excellence. The fact that they have been chosen as a guarantee structure in the fight against doping inspires us to move forward in implementing human and professional resources to pursue this path. The NAS, along with the anti-doping section of CONI, will work to prevent and suppress malfeasance, not only in competitive sport but also at amateur level. We will carry out checks as part of a comprehensive monitoring, in compliance with the WADA standards".

The President, Malagò, thanked the Carabinieri and the NAS for their fruitful work which led to the reaching of this agreement: "I mentioned a turning point, even if someone thought of it as mere window dressing or the saving of a system that – again, according to some – needed to be dismantled. Transparency, commitment and credibility are the main themes of every initiative carried out by CONI in the fight against doping. We do not need proclamations, tricks or shortcuts. We want results for the good of sports, and we want to reach them through professionalism and competence. The NAS is an inspiration both in Italy and around the world. This agreement is the first step for operational cooperation. Our idea to involve NAS was born from the existing situation, which is certainly not devoid of problems, and from the need to improve the anti-doping system, making it "free" from any perceived influence, even theoretically, of CONI. The term of this agreement, which the relevant Ministries already share, will coincide with the Olympic mandate and will greatly improve the fight against doping. Therefore, one of the key objectives is the transition to a substantial autonomy of Italian NADO, free from any form of conditioning".

The Commanding General of the NAS, Cosimo Piccinno, stated: "With the signing of this agreement the Corp of the Carabinieri assumes the role of institutional partner, embarking on a complex and delicate journey aimed at creating a more independent NADO structure inside the CONI, built on models accredited by WADA in a context of mutual, loyal and proactive cooperation. The reorganization will allow for targeted doping controls, with the direct involvement of previously trained NAS military personnel, by analogy with the meritorious activities brought out together with the Doping Supervisory Commission of the Ministry of Health, in order to substantially increase the efficiency and effectiveness of a struggle to counter the illicit use of banned substances and prohibited practices, and to improve the health of the athletes and the ethics of sports." The President then proceeded to specify that the agreements between CONI and NAS will be made active within 90 days through the relative implementation procedures.

Baku 2015 on track to deliver fantastic event, says EOC

Baku 2015 European Games and the European Olympic Committees (EOC) today concluded the final visit by the EOC Coordination Commission, a high-level body of delegates charged with overseeing progress towards the inaugural European Games, to be held this summer in Azerbaijan’s capital city. Commission members received a full briefing on preparations by each Baku 2015 directorate. In addition, they took a tour along the Games Route Network and visited venues including the Baku Shooting Centre, Mountain Bike Velopark, Heydar Aliyev Arena, and a drive-by of the European Games Park.

They also attended the opening ceremony of the Baku 2015 Uniform Distribution and Accreditation Centre, where participants in the Nar Mobile-supported Flamekeeper volunteer programme will register and collect their uniforms.

Mr Azad Rahimov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports and Chief Executive Officer of Baku 2015, said: “We now have a little more than four months until the Opening Ceremony. There remains much to do, but the momentum we have built will not falter for a second. “We will spare no effort in ensuring that the first European Games are an inspirational celebration of sport and friendship for the whole continent”.

EOC members praised the impressive progress which has been made since Baku was awarded the right to host the Games in December 2012. Mr Patrick Hickey, President of the European Olympic Committees, said: “This EOC visit to Baku ahead of the first European Games has confirmed that the city is fully prepared to host an unforgettable event. To have achieved so much in two years is a testament to Azerbaijan’s dedication to hosting the Games, and Europe’s athletes and sport fans will be delighted with the high standard of venues and facilities which await them. Baku 2015 will be the perfect launch-pad for the European Games”.

Mr Spyros Capralos, Chairman of the EOC Coordination Commission, added: “Baku 2015 is on track to deliver an outstanding inaugural European Games. BEGOC is entering the final phase of preparations now, and every day counts. But they have delivered on all their construction targets so far and I am very confident that Baku will be ready in good time. In addition, these Games will be innovative, which will act as a great blueprint to guide future European Games host cities. I am very much looking forward to coming back in June for the Baku 2015 Opening Ceremony". Mr Simon Clegg, Chief Operating Officer of Baku 2015, said: “With 126 days to go before the start of the European Games, we are now entering the final straight, and the visit by the EOC Coordination Commission has been an excellent opportunity to update members on our progress and take stock of what we have achieved so far. “The Games will be a historic occasion for Azerbaijan and Europe, and we intend to continue working hard to deliver on our commitment to stage a world-class event until the very last guest leaves after the Closing Ceremony”.

Carolina Kostner’s case, communication of the National Anti-Doping Court on the grounds of the ruling

The Second Chamber of the National Anti-Doping Court has filed today the motivations for its judgment rendered on January 16, 2015 by which Carolina Kostner was disqualified for one year and two months. The athlete was held responsible of helping Alex Schwazer avoiding a doping test, and therefore of committing unlawful action as provided in art. 2.9 of current rules, but was also acquitted of not having denounced her then boyfriend for his meetings with Dr Michele Ferrari.

In the motivations filed today, the National Anti-Doping Court has stressed that Carolina Kostner has not undertaken any action that would associate her to any doping practice, nor covered Schwazer in his taking illegal substances. The athlete, however, was convicted of having consciously lied to the officer in charge of taking blood samples when he showed up in Oberstdorf to test Schwazer on July 30, 2012. The art. 2.9 of current NSA punishes the assistance in any violation of anti-doping norms, not only in taking any illegal substance (art. 2.1 or 2.2 of the NSA) but also in avoiding a test (art. 2.3 NSA). Furthermore, the diversity of subject in the violation does not devoid the act of its seriousness: conducting spot-checks outside a competitive context is essential for an effective contrast of doping.

At the same time, the National Anti-Doping Court considered that the behavior of Carolina Kostner was influenced by several factors, thus lessening the degree of her guilt. Among those elements, the National Anti-Doping Court has emphasized the fact that the athlete acted on a request made by the person she loved; the sudden nature of the request, which required an immediate answer; the absence of elements that would suggest that the behaviour of the athlete was predetermined; the fact that the athlete took immediate steps to ensure that Schwazer could reach the place of the test; and the fact that the athlete, while aware of her assistance in avoiding the test, did not know that Schwazer was using banned substances. These elements justified the reduction of a two-year sanction to one year and four months, based on a standard that allows the maximum reduction to a ban of one year. It is now possible for the athlete, but also for UPA and WADA, to file an appeal to TAS against the ruling of the National Anti-Doping Court.

Playoff finals, Italy national women's football team will aim for World qualification against Netherlands in Verona tomorrow

Ninety minutes to secure a place at Canada 2015 and play in the final stage of a World Cup again, fifteen years after USA '99. Tomorrow at 20:30 at the "Bentegodi" Stadium in Verona the national women's football team faces the Netherlands in the second leg of the finals of the World playoffs. The Federal President, Carlo Tavecchio, and the new President of the National Amateur League, Felice Belloli, will also attend the match and will cheer on the “Azzurre” in a match that will have a particular flavour for the four girls who play in AGSM Verona: Patrizia Panico, Melania Gabbiadini, Cecilia Salvai and Federica Di Criscio.

The first leg ended 1-1 thanks to a beautiful goal scored by Melania Gabbiadini: "The audience must cheer and support us with everything they've got – this is the call of the forward - because anything could happen after our draw at The Hague". Italy will rely on the experience of Patrizia Panico, that can boast more than 200 appearances in the National team: "We expect a tough game from the competitive point of view – she warns - they will surely begin to press on the accelerator immediately and we will have to be careful not to repeat the same mistakes of the first leg. We will have to fight for every ball as if it were our last".

Experience is essential, but to be able to fly to Canada we will also need a good dose of enthusiasm. Like the enthusiasm of Cecilia Salvai and Federica Di Criscio, both born in 1993, the present and future of the Italian defence: "This time - emphasizes Salvai - we have the advantage of playing at home. We want to win, to score first, even more than one goal. We will not simply defend the previous draw." "The Netherlands - reiterates Di Criscio - is a very strong team. We will have to take the field while being aware of our strength, believe in it, and play to win."

Presented the book "L'Oro di Scampia", the story of Giovanni Maddaloni. Malagò: "A giant in life"

A ray of sun that makes its way through the clouds of negativity and prejudice, to contrast degradation and violence with the example promoted by a meeting place dedicated to sport. The scenario outlined in the passionate pages of "L'Oro di Scampia", the autobiographical book written by Giovanni Maddaloni in collaboration with Marco Caiazzo, tells the incredible stories of lives and activities that revolve around the judo gym managed by the "Master", that offers free classes to all the underprivileged children of the district of Vele.

The President of CONI, Giovanni Malagò, and the Secretary General, Roberto Fabbricini, wanted to attend the event, held at the Hall of Honor in the presence - among others – of the President of FIJLKAM, Domenico Falcone, and Mrs. Marina, widow of the historic President of the Federation, Matteo Pellicone.The brief discussion was moderated by the Director of Rai Sport, Carlo Paris, with the participation of the author's son, Giuseppe Maddaloni, Olympian in Sydney (2000), of Vincenzo D'Onofrio, Public Prosecutor of the Anti-Mafia District Directorate of Naples, and Monsignor Andrea Celli, Director of the Legal Office of the Vicariate of Rome.

Malagò, who visited that same gym in Scampia during one of the first public appearances as President of CONI, wanted to address his sincere encouragement to Maddaloni. "Maddaloni is a quite unique example of a person who, as a bastion against the degradation and lawlessness, received the gift of having a child who won an Olympic gold medal. Giovanni is a giant, he knows how much I care about him and I am glad that through this book he was able to tell a wide audience all those stories that have characterized his work in recent years. We will meet Matteo Renzi together a few minutes before the Golden Collars: the Prime Minister specifically asked for this, because he understood that we are talking about a man who deserves special attention."

He, the master, thanks affectionately. "In this book are my dreams, my sufferings, my social and sporting victories. I would like to thank President Malagò, a good person who has always helped me. I told him about my project of the Citadel of Sports in Scampia. It is my dream, and thanks to God, it will soon be created. We are experiencing a moment in which good people are taking over. I understood it after the election of Pope Francis." His son, Pino, argues with sincerity: "My father was always told he was a fool. Local politicians and friends never took him seriously, but now we are here, at CONI. I hope his citadel of sport becomes a reality as it will help many kids to take the right path." The event was also attended by the former mayor of Naples and President of the Campania Region, Antonio Bassolino.