The Italian Cycling Federationon the rest day of the Giro d’Italia, unveiled in Naples, at the Reale Yacht Club Canottieri Savoia, the blue shirt that will be used for the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, in the presence of the mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi and the president of CONI Giovanni Malagò. Not being able to participate due to other commitments, the president of the CIP Luca Pancalli sent a video greeting.
A shirt that in over 100 years of history has stood on the podium 113 times (63 at the Olympics and 50 at the Paralympics), and which in this edition of the Games returns to the classic blue color after twenty years. A choice appreciated by all those present and which was illustrated, even in the technical details, by Alessio Cremonese di Castelli.
The top leaders of the FCI were present, starting with the president Cordiano Dagnoni and the vice-president Carmine Acquasanta, the general manager of the national teams Roberto Amadio, the General Secretary Marcello Tolu, the technicians Villa, Bennati, Sangalli, Velo and Addesi, as well as numerous presidents of federations and the president of the Cycling League Roberto Pella.
At the opening the mayor Gaetano Manfred brought the greetings of the city of Naplesthe: “A great honor for us and for the entire city of Naples to unveil here the jersey of the national cycling team that will race at the Paris Olympics. The third consecutive stage of the Giro d’Italia in Naples which was followed by the presentation of the Azzurra jersey is It was an opportunity to give credit to the entire cycling world which is giving Italy so much prestige by rekindling the passion of the fans. From us, from Naples, good luck in achieving the well-deserved successes in Paris.”
The president of CONI Giovanni Malagò: “I am honored to participate in this presentation, the blue jersey is a value that unites us and makes us proud, a distinctive sign of our winning tradition. Cycling is a colossus in Italian Olympic history, it is among the top three disciplines by number of medals won, 63, and the second ever in terms of gold. Numbers that summarize the excellence expressed by the movement and the hopes that accompany the eve of the Games dates back to 1900, with Brusoni, right in Paris. A coincidence that we hope will be a good omen for the now upcoming Olympic expedition.”
The president of the CIP Luca Pancalli: “The blue shirt is the element that binds all of us who live from sport. I am pleased that the Federation has decided to present it the day after the choice of the Italian Paralympic Committee to indicate Luca Mazzone as one of the two standard-bearers at the Paris Paralympics. For our part, this is a recognition of a great athlete and of Italian cycling, who has made an important contribution to Paralympic sport, both from the point of view of success and promotion.”
As far as the FCI is concerned, the president Cordiano Dagnoni will do the honours: “The blue shirt is a second skin for our national teams, capable of multiplying forces, always pushing us to give our best. It is also a clear message from Italy to the world, the concrete testimony of our values and our identity. I was aware of it when I had the honor of wearing it and I feel it even now as a manager, seeing the pride of wearing it in the eyes of our kids. I thank Naples, in the person of Mayor Manfredi, for the splendid welcome he has given to cycling and the Federation. I also thank CONI and CIP, presidents Malagò and Pancalli and their respective working groups, for putting us in the best conditions to participate in Paris. The choice of Luca Mazzone as standard bearer, less than four years after that of Elia Viviani in Tokyo, is the most concrete testimony of the attention that the Olympic and Paralympic sporting world dedicates to us. It is an honor and also a responsibility. I am sure that our Azzurri will not disappoint expectations, driven by this mysterious strength that only the blue shirt is able to provide.”
