Italian
Historic visit of the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella to the Acqua Acetosa Olympic Preparation Center “Giulio Onesti” of CONI
ROME – A historic day for Italian sports. Yesterday, in fact, the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella visited for the first time the Centro di Preparazione Olimpica Acqua Acetosa “Giulio Onesti” of CONI. The President toured the Institute, the physiotherapy room, the Library, and the diagnostic area of the CONI facility which, since 1963, has been a reference point for all Italian Olympic athletes and is also open to athletes of all levels and citizens of all ages.
The visit then continued to the multifunctional hall where he attended a performance by the Ciao Team, the demonstration team of Taekwondo Freestyle of the Italian Taekwondo Federation and received a black belt as a gift from the athletes. Mattarella also observed the functional tests of taekwondo champions Vito dell’Aquila and Simone Alessio.
The tour then saw Mattarella visit the students of the Scientific High School with a sports curriculum at the National Boarding School “Vittorio Emanuele II”, hosted in the CPO. Welcomed by Professor Manuela Vicuna, Rector of the Boarding School, Mattarella met with a delegation of all five classes accompanied by some teachers. Students Lorenzo and Francesca from class VA presented to the President the activities carried out by the High School. After learning about the sports practiced by the students, the President wished them a future of success in both academic and sports fields.
The visit then concluded in the Aula Magna of the sports complex where President Mattarella met with the Vice Presidents of CONI, Silvia Salis and Claudia Giordani, the highest sports executives in Italy at national and international level, the members of the National Council and the Executive Board of CONI, the coaches, the President of Sport and Health Marco Mezzaroma and the athletes of the Italy Team in athletics, swimming, pentathlon, weightlifting, fencing, diving and sailing, Rossella Fiamingo, Vito Dell’Aquila, Simone Alessio, Simona Quadarella, Caterina Banti, Lorenzo Patta, Elena Micheli, Alessandra Frezza, Andy Diaz Hernandez, Zaynab Dosso, Fausto Desalu, Filippo Tortu, Matteo Melluzzo, Valerio Cuomo, Marco De Tullio, Genna Romida Toko Kegne, Lorenzo Tarquini and Lorenzo Simonelli.
Mattarella’s speech
The speech of the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella:
“I want to thank you for many reasons, first and foremost for the opportunity provided with this visit to the Giulio Onesti Olympic Preparation Center, an extraordinary facility, a state-of-the-art facility, a reference point for national sports. It is a Center that combines tradition and future, starting from Giulio Onesti, a history passed down through successive presidencies up to Giovanni Malagò with the many successes achieved during this time.
Thank you for generously associating me with your merits as protagonists of sports, I feel unworthy. And thank you for what you do every day. Behind the successes there are training, sacrifices, and commitment to overcome one’s limits, which allows for the successes achieved. It’s not just the prestige bestowed on our country with seriousness and loyalty, but also a fundamental message sent to our young people for sports practice. Because sports transmit important values such as coexistence, relationships with others, respect, and enrich social life. Thank you, we look forward to the next successes.
The words of Rossella Fiamingo
Speaking on behalf of the athletes was the Olympic champion in fencing at Paris 2024, and also the flag bearer at the closing ceremony, Rossella Fiamingo:
“Mr. President of the Republic it is with immense pride and no less emotion that we athletes of the Italy Team welcome you today to what is for us a true ‘home of Italian sports’. A home that, thanks to your support, your affection, and your constant closeness in every one of our adventures, we feel is also yours. You have shown, by your example, to be one of us: the Head of State, for all, and for us also the Captain of the Italy Team.
Every day we follow the guidelines that have always been indicated to us: representing Italy with pride, ambition, loyalty, dedication, and with the desire to improve ourselves, as individuals and as athletes, thus offering a virtuous example to the younger ones and to all the people who cheer for us. These are the values that we share with you and that you have always shown us. We are deeply grateful to you, Mr. President, for what you represent and for everything you do for us. Thank you for being here with us today, sharing our journey. Proud to be, with you, all together, Italy Team.”
Photo & Video Credits: quirinale.it
