The Melucci administration, represented by the Deputy Mayor and Councilor for Sport Gianni Azzaro, participated in the nomination and award ceremony of European regions, capitals and cities of sport, organized by Aces Europe at the CONI headquarters in Rome, in the presence of the CONI president , Giovanni Malagò, the director of the UNESCO Department of Human Sciences, Angela Melo, and the presidents of Aces Europe and Aces Italia, Gian Francesco and Vincenzo Lupattelli.
Last November, Taranto was awarded the title of “European City of Sport 2025” following a long and complex application process that lasted approximately two years: a result achieved through the widespread involvement of many actors, from institutions, through Sports Promotion Bodies, the Federations, Coni, Sport&Salute, Aces Italia and Europa, together with the many associations and city sports entities of all levels which with proactivity and participation have contributed to the creation of a real road-map for achieving of this objective.
A recognition that serves as a lead-up to the 2026 Mediterranean Games and will allow the Administration to embellish the program of sporting events in the city, thanks to further initiatives and events that will involve Taranto athletes, promoting the area on an international level.
«Taranto has already demonstrated on several occasions its strong link with sport – the words of Deputy Mayor Giovanni Azzaro – the Administration led by Mayor Rinaldo Melucci has always cultivated all those value and foundational aspects that define sports practice and its fabric : inclusion, participation, economic development, tourism, health. Being the “European City of Sport” for 2025 today is a confirmation, because when administrative vision and careful planning match the real needs of a territory, of an entire community, activating lively participation, you win. We do it together, through teamwork, positively seizing all the new opportunities that this title gives us. We will therefore continue to be serious: the real challenge now will be to translate this seal into a further opportunity for the city, always counting on the value of an associative and institutional fabric which has been the true strength of this adventure.»
