The president of the Republic, Sergio Mattarellareceived him at the Quirinale Italian athletes leaving for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The representation, also composed of technicians and managers, was led by the president of the Italian National Olympic Committee, Giovanni Malagò and by the president of the Italian Paralympic Committee, Luca Pancalli.
During the ceremony, opened by the national anthem performed by the joint musical band and the screening of a video celebrating the Tokyo 2021 medals, President Malagò, President Pancalli and the Minister for Sport and Youth spoke, Andrea Abodi.
President Mattarella then gave a speech, after having handed over the Italian Flag to the Standard Bearers of the Olympic team, Arianna Errigo and Gianmarco Tamberi, and to the Standard Bearers of the Paralympic team, Luca Mazzone and Ambra Sabatini.
The meeting ended with the execution of theAnthem of the Olympic Games.
There was great emotion on the part of the athletes and technicians of Friuli Venezia Giulia. «It will be a great adventure in Paris – commented the table tennis player Giada Rossi –. As far as I’m concerned, I will be very aggressive and we will arrive in France with a great desire to do well. I would take with me our food and the support of the people which always comes very strongly to us.”
Ready for the five-circle adventure too Veronica Toniolo, judo athlete: «I am very excited and I believe that I will realize the type of event that I will participate in only when I arrive in Paris. I am very determined and we have worked a lot to be at this appointment. Our goal is to always improve ourselves, in sport and as people”
