MILANO – Parade of Olympic and Paralympic champions at Palazzo Lombardia. The President of the Region Attilio Fontana awarded 22 Lombard athletes who distinguished themselves in Tokyo 2020, winning a medal, during an exciting ceremony attended by, among others, Antonio Rossi, Undersecretary for Sports, 2020 Olympics and Major Events, Alessandro Fermi, President of the Lombardy Regional Council and Giovanni Malagò, President of the Italian National Olympic Committee. Luca Pancalli, president of the Italian Paralympic Committee, intervened on the video link.
FONTANA: A DUE TRIBUTE TO ATHLETES WHO THOUGH US
“Just a year ago – underlined Governor Fontana – Lombardy was declared a red zone with a provision of the Minister of Health. Today, however, fortunately, we are in a moment of celebration, an occasion in which we can meet and be all together to thank these athletes who have made us excited. It is a dutiful tribute: they have revived that hope that already existed in so many Lombards, but which they have further nurtured and made more concrete ”. Asked about the investments destined to Milan for the 2026 Olympics, the president said: “They are very important works and will leave a great legacy, for example in Santa Giulia there will be one of the most beautiful and qualified sports facilities on the international scene”.
ROSSI: AN EXAMPLE FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE
I have witnessed – recalled Undersecretary Rossi, multiple Olympic champion – from my convalescence at the Olympic and Paralympic Games: they were competitions that excited me a lot. They have been an example for many young people, both on a sporting and educational level ”.
MALAG: LOMBARDY FIRST ITALIAN REGION IN SPORT
“I responded with enthusiasm – declared Coni president Giovanni Malagò – to Governor Fontana’s call. Sportingly, Lombardy is a real ‘Region-State’, it is by far the first Region of Italy as a contribution to the blue medal table. I do not forget, then, that Lombardy, also thanks to Antonio Rossi, was determined and decisive in achieving and conquering the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic project ”.
PANCALLI: PROUD OF THE LOMBARDY REGION INITIATIVE
“A very important evening – said in a video message the president Cip, Pancalli – in which the successes of Italian sport are celebrated and the Lombard athletes who have honored the country are rewarded. I congratulate the initiative taken by the President and friend Attilio Fontana and with his friend Antonio Rossi. I am proud that the Region has organized this event and through the recognition of the successes it raises towards the future, to promote more and more sport among disabled girls and boys, also thinking about Milan-Cortina 2026. Our Paralympic athletes have been extraordinary : their deeds have made it possible to give the most beautiful summer to Italian sport ”.
THE 10 OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS AWARDED
For the successes at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, 10 Lombard champions were awarded.
- – Filippo Tortu (Gold 4x100m Relay) – Athletics;
- – Faustine Desalu Eseosa (Gold 4x100m Relay) – Athletics;
- – Valentina Rodini (Gold Double Lightweight) – Rowing;
- – Federica Cesarini (Gold Double Lightweight) – Rowing;
- – Manfredi ‘Mampe’ Rizza (Argento Canoa – Speed K1 200m) – Canoe;
- – Vanessa Ferrari (Silver Free Body and Fourth Place Team) – Artistic gymnastics;
- – Giorgia Bordignon (Silver Weightlifting 64Kg) – Weights;
- – Mauro Nespoli (Silver Individual) – Archery;
- – Lucilla Boari (Individual Bronze) – Archery;
- – Federica Isola (Bronze Team Sword) – Fencing.
THE 12 PARALYMPIC CHAMPIONS AWARDED
12 Lombard champions were awarded for the successes at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
- – Federico Bicelli (Bronze 4 × 100 mixed) – Swimming;
- – Giulia Terzi (Gold 100 SL – 4 × 100 SL, Silver 400 SL – 4 × 50 SL, Bronze 50 butterfly) – Swimming;
- – Arianna Talamona (Silver 4 × 50 SL) – Swimming;
- – Federico Morlacchi (Bronze 4 × 100 mixed) – Swimming;
- – Alberto Amodeo (Silver 400 SL) – Swimming;
- – Simone Barlaam (Gold 50 SL, Silver 100 butterfly – 4 × 100 SL, Bronze 4 × 100 mixed) – Swimming;
- – Alessia Berra (Silver 100 butterfly) – Swimming;
- – Monica Boggioni (Bronze 4 × 100 mixed – 100 SL- 200 SL) – Swimming; – Efrem Morelli (Fourth place) – Swimming;
- – Fabrizio Cornegliani (Silver Chronometer) – Cycling;
- – Oney Tapia (Bronze shot put and discus throw) – Athletics; – Andrea Liverani (Bronze Rifle 50 meters) – Target shooting
