Monday 25th July, Raggi and Malagò send-off for roman athletes departing for Rio

Mayor Virginia Raggi and CONI President Giovanni Malagò with the Secretary General Roberto Fabbricini will be there to see off the roman athletes and support staff ahead of their participation in the Rio Olympic Games 2016.
The meeting will take place on the 25 July at 15.00 at the Sala delle Promoteca, in Campidoglio.
The initiative was promoted by Raggi herself, with the invitation extended to President Malagò.

National Council press release

CONI's National Council No. 243 met this afternoon, at 3:00 pm, at the Foro Italico, to discuss the following agenda:

1) Approval of the minutes of the 17 December 2015 meeting: the minutes were approved unanimously.

2) News from the President: Malagò opened the proceedings by commemorating the members of the sporting world that were deceased over the last two months and, at the same time, the important results obtained by Italian athletes over the same period.  It was also highlighted that this year the unforgotten Ondina Valla will be celebrated as the first Italian female athlete to win a golden medal at the Games, 80 years from her victory in Berlin 1936 and 10 years from her departure.

The Italian national team delegation, lead by Anna Riccardi, was then complimented for the positive outcome of the YOGs at Lillehammer, acknowledging also the contribution of board member Giampiero Pastore; the importance of the presentation revealing the projects developed by CONI's different organisational units ahead of Rio 2016 was also reiterated, with particular emphasis placed on the choice of Casa Italia. Some advance planning was made by setting the launch for the 3rd August, strategic date on the margin of important appointments, to ensure the presence of IOC members before the opening ceremony.  The second event mentioned by the Present was the presentation of the Rome 2024 dossier, at Palazzo dei Congressi, the iconic location for the 1960 Games. Malagò called it a great success and thanked the Board for the unity demonstrated by all members in pushing the candidature in this initial phase. It was also explained that winning the candidature for the Games could help the Federations that have difficulty in qualifying their teams to building, over seven years, competitive teams ahead of the games.

The Prime Minister Matteo Renzi will be present on 5 August in Rio for the Launch of the XXXI edition of the five-circle event, while the President of the Republic, Mattarella, has been invited to the Ceremony of the Paralympics.

Malagò, in talking about CONI's relationship with the Government, recalled the project "Sport and Suburbs" (Sport e Periferie). Out of the 1,672 requests that were submitted, 75% are for facilities already in existence, 25% for new facilities. It was emphasised that two basic criteria have been set: priority for what is already in existence and state interventions for state-owned facilities.

General themes were then discussed, reminding attendees that compulsory use of defibrillators has been postponed to 30 June, and also providing updates on issues regarding the Job Acts and the Italian National Institute for Statistics (ISTAT).  Furthermore, 9 March will see the presentation, together with Minister Poletti, of a plan for the employment of athletes at the end of their competitive career. A key convention also from the point of view of the policy espoused by IOC, which states the centrality of athletes.  CONI also scheduled a set of regulations to cover mother-athletes and athletes in maternity leave ahead of Rio 2016. Malagò, proud of the 2.7% increase in sport participation in 2014 and 2015, on the basis of the study carried out by the Italian National Institute for Statistics (ISTAT), expressed his wish for a resolution of all litigations between Federations, Sporting Disciplines and Promotion Agencies.

The message of the President saw contributions from: Marco Durante (Athletes Representative), Angelo Binaghi (Tennis), Giovanni Petrucci (Basketball), Vincenzo Manco (Agencies for the Promotion of Sport), Franco Carraro (IOC member), Riccardo Agabio (Gymnastics), Gianni Medugno (Associated Sporting Disciplines), Luciano Rossi (Skeet shooting), Vittorio Orlandi (Equestrianism), Maurizio Casasco, Romolo Rizzoli (Bowls), Ugo Claudio Matteoli (Competitive Fishing and Underwater Activities), Sandro Rossi (Associated Sporting Disciplines representative), Francesco Purromuto (Handball), Ugo Salines (Agencies for the Promotion of Sport representative), Diana Bianchedi (General Coordinator for Rome 2024).

3) F.S.N.-D.S.A.-E.P.S Activity: Unanimous approval was reached regarding: the Regulation of Meritorious Associations and the ratification of the appointment of Antonello De Tullio as Extraordinary Administrator of the Italian Bowling Sport Federation, with Alvio La Face as Deputy Administrator. The Board expressed its complete agreement also in relation to the formal procedures that the Rome 2024 candidature process is following. With no other matters arising, the proceedings were closed at 5:05 pm.

World champions welcomed to by the President of the Republic at the Quirinale. Mattarella: your example makes Italy a better place

The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, received this morning at the Quirinale a big delegation of Olympic and Paralympic athletes, and, for the first time, of world champions of non-Olympic disciplines. The ceremony, called to celebrate the Italian successes obtained in 2015, was attended by the Secretary General of CONI, Roberto Fabbricini, the Deputy Secretary General, Carlo Mornati, members of IOC Franco Carraro, Mario Pescante and Ottavio Cinquanta, by honorary member Manuela Di Centa, and many Federal Presidents and sport organisations recognised by CONI.

The President of CONI, Giovanni Malagò, opened the day with his introductory speech. "We are proud of this historic meeting for what it means to our world, composed of 30 million practising individuals and 11 million registered members. I want to thank President Mattarella for the sensitivity and generosity he has demonstrated, allowing us to gather Olympic and Paralympic disciplines together, and to extend the invitation to athletes of non-Olympic disciplines. I am sure that this will be a historic precedent. It is a particularly happy moment for Italian sport: yesterday's ceremony, which saw the awarding of Golden Collars in the presence of Prime Minister Renzi, the launch of the Rome 2024 logo, the allocation to Italy of the Ryder Cup, which is the third event in the world in terms of importance, are all historic events that should be witnessed with pride. I would therefore like to renew my thanks to the President for his closeness to us: any time each of our athletes makes our national hymn resound and our flag go to full mast, without fail he phones me to express his congratulations and friendship, with closeness and also with a level of competence that I must say has surprised me. This, for us, is extraordinarily important".

The President of the Italian Paralympic Committee, Luca Pancalli, emphasised the importance of this moment. "This is an extraordinary day for all our family, to which I belong since I was 17. My "boys" are proud of their azure outfit and have honoured our flag around the world, bringing a message of hope: after the drama of a road accident or of an illness, which would have floored anybody, they achieved extraordinary results, giving us courage, passion and determination, and today they are here as champions. We dream of hosting the Paralympics in Rome in 2024 for the meaning this would carry. Sport goes beyond state borders and overcomes barriers, gives special meaning to life, is a daily victory that must be celebrated with pride and joy".

The event then saw contributions by Flavia Pennetta, winner of the "US Open" tennis tournament, and Alessandro Zanardi, Winner of three golden medals at the cycling paralympics on Nottwill surface. Pennetta spoke of the "emotion and satisfaction of athletes present, for having left their personal mark in competitions of great importance". It makes us proud to hear of the closeness of President Mattarella and obtain so many rewards that bring prestige to our country". Alex Zanardi echoed the gratitude coming from the Paralympic world. "Life teaches us that great conquests are reached with small steps. This ceremony is extraordinary, it makes us proud, and it is also important for who tried without succeeding.

The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, closed the ceremony emphasising the importance of sport as a tool for well-being, capable of expressing key values for our society. "You are the champions, the emblems and symbols of Italian sport.  Your successes promote sporting practice and provide a serious contribution to the well-being of the Italian people. I am not talking only of physical well-being, but of a practical and concrete example of good conduct. Paralympic sport, for example, allows who has a disability to adapt it to his life's requirements, even it is not possible for the disability to be eliminated; therefore, Paralympic sport is important for all disabled people and for everyone who finds facing a competition more demanding than other people. Sport means fairness, fair play, following the rules: all qualities that our country is in great need of. For this reason, we must remain firmly against any form of doping. The example given by sport champions seeps deeply into the social fabric. For this reason, I really liked CONI's initiative "Win as grown-ups", conceived to offer children in difficult social and local environments a free and eye-opening sport, education and personal experience, representing an important opportunity to follow a healthy growth and development process. I renew my encouragement to you in advance of the Rio 2016 Games, hoping that they will bring us many medals, also with a view to Rome 2024: the logo is very beautiful, I hope that we will reach the finishing line".  

Rome is officially a candidate for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Rome is officially a candidate for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The letter that formalizes the commitment to organize the greatest sports festival in the world was sent today to the IOC, the International Olympic Committee, that on 16^th of September will reveal  the names of all the cities that have come forward.

This morning in the Rome City Council, Rome 2024 President Luca di Montezemolo, CONI President Giovanni Malagò and the Mayor of Rome Ignazio Marino signed the letter that formalizes the challenge of the Italian candidature and enhances its strengths. The challenging path of the Capital begins today. The objective is to build and share a project that will provide athletes and the world "the opportunity to experience the excitement and the Olympic spirit" in a stage of unparalleled beauty. No other city in the world can offer a similar heritage of art, history and culture that embraces such a wide span of time, and that allows to "perform the Olympics in the most spectacular and symbolic venues of the Eternal City".

Beauty, culture, and above all, with the commitment of Italy, innovation and sustainability, are consistent the main guidelines dictated by the 2020 IOC Agenda  that envisage a strong focus on legacy:  the future use for the city of the structures used for the Olympics.  Indications that the Rome 2024 Committee embraces with great conviction next to the equally crucial suggestion of sobriety. Rome, as the letter explains, has many sports facilities, partially in parks and major green areas, which will be used for the 2024 Olympics with minor upgrades and, if necessary, by using temporary structures.

Finally, the letter made reference to the Olympic values, that,  in a multicultural city like the Capital, "where diversity becomes the backbone of equality", can really build a bridge to peace and friendship of all nations.

PM Renzi to Malagò: “Full and total governmental support for the bid”

The Italian Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi, met this morning with the president of CONI, Giovanni Malagò at the Palazzo Chigi.

During the course of the meeting, which lasted around 45 minutes, they tackled a series of issues relating to the world of sport, starting with the candidacy of Rome for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“On behalf of the Government, I confirm full and total support for the bid of Rome”, said the Prime Minister to the President, to which he informed Renzi of his imminent trip to Kuala Lumur to participate in the 128th CIO Session. “Giovanni, give my regards to President Bach and tell him that I hope to meet him soon, I’d be pleased if he were to come to Italy”.

Malagò also updated Renzi on the development of the bid after the Boston withdrawal and on the situation of the international scene in light of the Agenda 2020.

“I am very happy with the conversation I had with Prime Minister Renzi – declared Malagò as he returned to his office at the Foro Italico -. It was a great meeting. Renzi and the Government are by our side and this gives us great strength in view of the Olympics. I leave for Kuala Lumpur even more optimistic. I have already informed President Luca of Montezemolo of the agenda. Among other things Renzi has told me that he will soon appoint a Minister for Sport”.

Among other issues, we also discussed details of sport in relation to the ISTAT [Italian Institute of National Statistics], Sport in Schools, ‘The Good School’ project, Italy’s candidacy for the 2022 Ryder Cup and for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. “Renzi – concluded Malagò – will be with me in Monza on the 6 September at the Formula 1 Grand Prix and has promised that he will do his best to be in Rio for a few days for the 2016 Olympic Games”.

Gioco del Lotto bets on sports with the project "Vincere da grandi"

CONI and Gioco del Lotto presented in the Hall of Honour "Vincere da grandi" a sporting, cultural and social project that will support Italian families. Starting from May, twice a week for a period of six months, children between 5 and 14 years coming from families living in poor areas with a high risk of social exclusion will have the chance to try, learn and practise many sports for free. The project will be held in four Italian cities: in Rome (Foro Italico) with Carlo Molfetta, captain of the national Italian taekwondo team, winner of the Olympic gold medal in London 2012; in Naples (Scampia) with Giovanni Maddaloni, President and Master of A.S.D. Star Judo Club; in Palermo (Zen) with Rachid Berradi, Olympic athlete in Sydney 2000, one of the best Italian middle-distance runners and President of A.S.D. Atletica Berradi 091; and in Milan (Quarto Oggiaro).

The President of CONI Malagò stressed the importance of this initiative. "I am grateful to Lottomatica for the choice made and for giving support to our association with passion and conviction. With this initiative, we propose a model of virtuous cooperation between public and private parties that aims through sports to promote prevention and social development where those would be most useful. In my opinion, teaming up with private parties motivated by the same goals represents a winning formula to provide real contribution to the sports system and to the community. Therefore, I hope that initiatives like this one will be able to stimulate the construction of a real network of supporters, united by the desire to help the country grow and improve". The CEO of Lottomatica, Fabio Cairoli, summarized the terms of the project with great pride. "We want to thank CONI for this opportunity, because we share such important values as the respect for rules, legality and the will to believe in young people. This project demonstrates our attachment to the concept of social responsibility that allowed Lottomatica, through Gioco del Lotto, to distinguish itself over the years in Italy, linking its name to the most important cultural and social institutions of the country while paying close attention and allotting resources for the areas in which it operates and develops". The event was also attended by the CEO of Coni Servizi, Alberto Miglietta, the Federal Presidents Alfio Giomi (Athletics) and Mario Scarzella (Archery), the honorary member of the IOC Manuela Di Centa, the Olympic champion of judo Giuseppe Maddaloni and the footballer Benedetto Iraci.

The project "Vincere da grandi", which involves an investment of 300,000 euro, will offer kids a sporting context and educational excellence, thanks to federal technicians and Olympic champions who will follow
them closely during their journey. The participants, identified by sporting organizations involved in the project through the regional social welfare network consisting of municipalities, educational institutions and social services, will be divided by age and will attend athletics, karate, volleyball, basketball, swimming, football, tennis, badminton, sailing, judo, gymnastics, taekwondo and rugby courses for free (special courses will be also offered for children with disabilities). The children will have the chance to attend a two-week course during summer holidays in the same structures; they will also have the opportunity to attend a sporting event of national/international level that will take place in the region where they live. CONI and Lottomatica want to offer a great opportunity for knowledge, cultural and social growth for the whole community.

The sporting testimonials also wanted to express their unconditional commitment to the project: Giovanni Maddaloni spoke of "a major gift for those who love sports. We are acting in twodirections: one is linked to the competitive growth for the Olympic dream, the other is aimed to social inclusion throughout our world". Rachid Berradi stressed that "this initiative will introduce young people to sport, allowing them to become champions in life and on the field"; the Olympic athlete Carlo Molfetta exalted "Vincere da grandi" by saying that it "will open up disciplines such as taekwondo and many others by breaking down barriers and introducing young people to sport". A special praise came from the other Olympic gold medalist, the judoka Giuseppe Maddaloni, who wanted to testify his affinity to a project "that gives us the opportunity to invest in young people to believe in the future and in our future champions". The Councilor for Sports of the City of Palermo, Cesare Lapiana, brought greetings from the Mayor, Leoluca Orlando, expressing "satisfaction with this initiative, which will be supported by institutions through commitment and passion for the development of sport".

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.