ROMA (ITALPRESS) – The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, has delivered to the Quirinale to the blue flag holders the tricolor in view of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games of Milan-Cortina 2026. On February 6 in Milan the flag holders will be Federico Pellegrino and Arianna Fontana, while in Cortina will touch Amos Mosaner and Federica Brignone parade with the tricolor. Chiara Mazzel and René De Silvestro will be the two blue flag holders on the occasion of the opening ceremony of the Paralympics scheduled on March 6, 2026 in Verona.
“The Olympic and Paralympic races are linked by human and social values. In this difficult time the message of peace and friendship will be very important. It will be important to spread this message by all athletes and athletes I am sure that all athletes and athletes will honor Italy with their behavior. I wish you great successes,” said Mattarella in his speech.
ABODI “CERCHEREMO TUTTI DI ESSERE ALL’ALTEZZA”
“Athletes are delivered not only the tricolor, but the blue shirt that represents the dream of many teenagers. There are 46 days and each of you has the ability to reach the goal with great concentration. But there is also the emotion of the yards, men and women who have worked to be ready on February 6 and March 6 in this intersection of sports that has no boundaries and divisions. We will all try to be up to it, aware that what we work for is not only an epochal event but also what we will leave, from the point of view of material infrastructure and immaterial ones, with the culture of sport, respect and shared work”. The Minister for Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi, said this.
BUONFIGLIO “APPUNTAMENTO UNICO, MATTARELLA PRIMO TIFOSO”
“It will be a unique event to compete in the Olympics in our country. It is an event that after 20 years returns to our country and this time the flag will remain in our borders with a commitment: that of a tricolor that will become more and more, to which we all dedicate our work and our commitment. We will be careful, staying with us in our beloved Italy and will be guarded by four athletes.” The president of the Coni, Luciano Buonfiglio, told him at the Quirinale during the ceremony. “Schooling these athletes was a difficult decision, every evaluation always ends up contenting and discontenting someone. In this team there are flowers of champions and champions, many of them could have been alphanies.”.
“We had to balance the decisions between women and men, taking into account the distances between Milan and Cortina and an incisive race schedule. We have come to a solution, made of ideas, reasoning and meanings with a single will: that of being as objective as possible”, added Buonfiglio who announced that Stefania Constantini (curling) will be one of the athletes who will read the oath in the opening ceremony. Then addressing Mattarella: “We all know that at our side there is she, our first fan, our baluardo who never made us miss affection and closeness that we need so much this time. On behalf of these guys and girls we say to her once again thanks”, concluded Buonfiglio.
DE SANCTIS “TANTO DA FARE PER IL MOVIMENTO PARALIMPICO”
“It is a great emotion and a great pride to participate in this ceremony. It is a special moment, it is our Games, which will take place 20 years after Turin. Paralympic movement has grown, on the side of consideration, esteem, integration, equal dignity between Olympics and Paralympics. It is still necessary to do on the side of the start of paralympic sport, which needs experts and specialists who can direct the athlete. All institutions can cooperate to ensure that Italy is at the pace of the great countries. We have a competitive team, we will try to compete to the maximum.” So the president of the Cip, Marco Giunio De Sanctis.
BRIGNONE “CORSA PER ARRIVARE QUI NON FACILE E SCONTATA”
“ Needless to say how honored and excited I am. The race to be here was not easy and obvious, I thank those who gave me the chance to be there. With this flag he will try to introduce all the blue athletes.” Federica Brignone, a blue flag holder at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina, at the Quirinale during the delivery of the tricolor to the Italian Team. “To participate in an Olimpiade in the house is a fortune and a great privilege, on the one hand it is also a great stress, but I will be the first to grasp only the positive aspects of this privilege. I close with a thank you to those who made this dream possible and to those who worked to ensure that the Games are a sporting and organizational success”, added the Valtellina outclass of the Carabinieri.
MOSANER “ATTENDO CERIMONIA CON GIOIA E SENSO RESPONSABILITÀ”
“From a young age I have cultivated important dreams, I wish to express sincere gratitude to my family and teammates and to the Golden Flames, to those who accompanied me on a journey made of commitments and sacrifices. I welcome this moment with joy and emotion and I look forward to the opening ceremony with a sense of responsibility. I am convinced that with sports results we will be able to convey enthusiasm and bring citizens closer to the values of sport and Olympic spirit.” Amos Mosaner said this, blue flag holder, during the delivery of the tricolor to the Italian Team.
FONTANA “ONORIAMO BANDIERA CON INCROLLABILE CORAGGIO”
“This is a promise to all those who believe sport is a source of inspiration, joy and growth. It is a promise to young people who dream of being here. Sharing this task with great athletes makes this moment even more special and unique. We are committed to honor the flag with respect and unwavering courage. We will represent the country in an open heart and a firm mind with the determination to give the good example.” Arianna Fontana said, blue flag holder.
PELLEGRINO “IL MIO PENSIERO A MIO NONNO GINO”
“I would say I never imagined myself in the head of the delegation and with the country behind me. My thought goes to my grandfather Gino, man of duty. He is happy for me wherever he is.” Federico Pellegrino, blue flag holder. “My flag contains hundreds of choices, some huge, some small, often necessary, sometimes simple and very sweet. Choosing is an act of love and I welcome your choice as you have welcomed my year after year”, he added.
– Press Office photo Quirinale-
(ITALPRESS).
