Twenty-six years after capturing Olympic gold on September 18, 2000, Pino Maddaloni addressed young athletes at the Villa Comunale in Naples, reflecting on a career forged in the city’s northern outskirts. Speaking during the inauguration of the #BeActive MultiSport Village—the main event of the European Week of Sport alongside the Illumina team from Sport and Salute—Maddaloni emphasized that a person’s starting point does not define their destination.
Maddaloni captured the attention of approximately 3,000 students gathered at the park by focusing on the broader life lessons provided by athletic training. “Sport is a very strong educational tool, it gives many smiles and carries with it important values such as respect for rules and respect for others,” Maddaloni stated during the event. “Thanks to sport we have learned to fall and get back up.”
From Scampia to the Sydney Tatami
The path to the Olympic podium began in the northern outskirts of Naples, an environment that shaped both his athletic discipline and his personal philosophy. Maddaloni acknowledged his roots directly, telling the assembled youth that internal motivation and self-belief matter far more than geographic origin. Rather than viewing athletics strictly as a competitive career, he described it as a vehicle for personal growth and global connection.
“Thanks to sport I learned to seize opportunities, like friendship,” Maddaloni said. “I traveled to many places in the world and at the same time I learned to believe in myself.”
Before his victory at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, where he defeated Brazil’s Tiago Camilo in the 73 kg final with an ippon, Maddaloni established himself on the continental stage. He secured consecutive European titles in the 73 kg division, triumphing in Oviedo in 1998 and Bratislava in 1999. His Sydney victory marked a significant milestone for Italian martial arts, ending a twenty-year drought for Italian judo gold that stretched back to Ezio Gamba’s victory at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
Behind the international success lay a foundational family legacy. His first instructor was his father, Gianni Maddaloni—affectionately known as “O Maè”—who founded the Star Judo Club in Scampia. Their story later inspired the Rai television film “L’oro di Scampia,” featuring Beppe Fiorello. Following his retirement from active competition, Maddaloni continued his involvement in the sport globally as both a coach and an international referee.
The Role of Mentorship and Community Engagement
Now a father, Maddaloni views youth athletic programs through a parental lens, noting that dedicating time to younger generations represents a vital transfer of experience and human warmth. Rather than demanding strict silence or passive listening from the student audience, he encouraged active inquiry.
“I hope there are many questions, because questions help everyone grow, not just young people,” Maddaloni said. “As a child I asked many questions, but I still have many to ask. I hope that the children manage to grasp from us athletes both the experiences and the values of sport.”
The #BeActive MultiSport Village offers visitors the opportunity to test thirty different athletic disciplines free of charge under the supervision of federal technical staff. The initiative features double Olympic champion Francesca Lollobrigida among its official ambassadors. Operating hours run daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time through Sunday, September 27, with a special citywide BeActive Night scheduled for Saturday, September 26.
Local Pride and Upcoming Events
The installation of the sports village coincides with local excitement surrounding the America’s Cup racing circuit, with the regatta course located just a short distance from the Villa Comunale. Maddaloni noted that simultaneous high-profile events bring valuable visibility and enthusiasm to Naples.
“Today an event like this gives incredible importance and light to our city,” Maddaloni said. “Naples deserves it, and for sure we will know how to gain experience and give a lot of enthusiasm and a strong push to the boats.”
