The winter season is approaching and, while ski clubs, coaches, and athletes prepare for their return to the snow, the issue of safety is once again at the forefront of the movement. The issue is being raised by Alessandro Garrone, president of the Sestriere Ski Club, which asks the Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI) A step change regarding the protection of athletes, both during competitions and training sessions. This topic has become even more sensitive following the serious accidents that have hit the skiing world in recent years, in some cases with dramatic consequences. According to Garrone, the statements and commitments announced in recent months have not yet been followed by sufficient measures to address the concerns of those who experience the slopes daily. The president of the Sestriere Ski Club also recalls the positions taken by the Minister of Sport. Andrea Abodi and the interventions of the FISI president Flavio Roda. The point, Garrone argues, is to transform the attention shown on the problem into measures capable of concretely impacting the athletes' activity.
“The new ski season is upon us, but from the point of view of athlete safety, practically nothing is changing.”, is the summary of what the manager expressed. The main focus is on the issue of responsibilities provided for by federal provisions. For Garrone, safety It cannot be considered an ancillary element of sports organization, but must become one of the foundations upon which all competitive activity is built. The director also emphasizes that the past months could have provided an opportunity to initiate a broader discussion within the movement, involving clubs, coaches, and athletes in defining the new measures. Concerns also surround the way international guidelines have been implemented and implemented. Garrone believes that the regulatory framework adopted has not met the expectations of ski clubs and calls for a more open federal approach to dialogue with the grassroots.
The accidents of recent years have made the issue too urgent to be postponed. With winter on the horizon, time is running out. The ski clubs are therefore calling on the FISI to immediately discuss the liability system and take concrete measures to raise safety standards in training and competition.
