(PRIMASPORT) ROME – From the Olympic and Paralympic triumphs of Milan Cortina 2026 to the world titles won throughout the year, CONI celebrated its champions with the award ceremony. Golden Collars for Sporting Merit At the Giulio Onesti Olympic Training Center in Rome. A day dedicated to Italian excellence, recognizing the athletes' achievements and the contributions of the coaches, managers, and sports clubs who supported the 2026 successes.
“In this icon of Italian sport, the CONI 'Giulio Onesti' Olympic Training Centre, there is the synthesis of our sporting activities – said CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio at the opening – We enhanced the venues for the Games, and we were the envy of the world. After Milan Cortina 2026, we hosted the Mediterranean Games: together, we brought success to Taranto. It was a great achievement. In 2026, we won a lot, not just at the Games and in Taranto. We've already secured some passes for Los Angeles 2028, and we're already working on the Olympic trip. But we didn't just win on the pitch: we demonstrated competence, knowledge, efficiency, and organizational ability.".
Then the Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi: “This event is a tradition, and each time it has a meaning: to reaffirm the value of results, commitment, collaboration, and respect. The greatest meaning of victories is the example they set.". And the President of the Italian Paralympic Committee Marco Giunio De Sanctis underlined that the Golden Collar rewards “Athletes are the greatest expression of the value of our country”.
According to the current regulations on merits, those who have already obtained the Golden Collar in previous years have received the Diploma of Honor, while the technicians have been awarded the Golden Palm.
The Golden Collar was also awarded to Angelo Binaghi, Evelina Christillin, Francesco Ettorre, Giuseppe Manfredi, Stefano Mei, Tiziana Nasi, and Gabriella Palmieri Sandulli, as well as to the sports clubs ASD Sci Corno alle Scale Kli Bologna, ASD Canottieri Sabazia, Società Sportiva Calcio Napoli, ACF Fiorentina, Circolo del Tennis Palermo, Associazione Sportiva S. Stefano, Polisportiva Milanese 1979 Sport Disabili, and Associazione Sportiva Handicappati Novara Onlus. The military and civilian sports teams that played a key role in Italy's success at Milano Cortina 2026 were also recognized. The Golden Stars for sporting merit were awarded to Andrea De Gennaro, General Commander of the Guardia di Finanza (Fiamme Gialle); Salvatore Luongo, General Commander of the Carabinieri; Carmine Masiello, Chief of Staff of the Army; and Vittorio Pisani, Chief of the State Police (Fiamme Oro). (PRIMASPORT)
