Sergio Mattarella does not forget Sofia Goggia
President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, who presented the Tricolor to the flag bearers of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, did not forget Sofia Goggia, an example of tenacity and stubbornness, endurance and perseverance on par with Federica Brignone. “Sofia Goggia’s super-G in Val d’Isère was a good introduction – she stressed -What you will do reflects on our country. Your efforts will have all of us around you. I will be one of the fans, I will follow you closely. I wish you many successes and great friendships”.
“This ceremony is always engaging, but this time it has even greater significance because we are the ones organizing the Games– he added -We pour our culture, friendship, hospitality into it. Italy will be with you entirely. It will be an important occasion, the occasion of the discovery of our country. It will be a showcase for Italy, and for that I thank those who worked hard to want the Games and to organize them. Olympic Games and Paralympic Games: a combination of events that puts our country” at the center of the world.
“The Olympic and Paralympic competitions are linked to so many human and social values– he then pointed out -In this difficult time, the message of peace, solidarity and friendship spread by the Games will be very important. They will be fascinating days for you and they will also be fascinating for those who do not appear, because many disciplines are individual but include great teamwork. In addition, the Games will induce many young people to measure themselves through sports. Sports play a great role on the social level”.
“I would like to affirm my closeness and gratitude for those who are dedicated to the Paralympic movement: inclusion is a goal of civilization in our country. I am sure that you will all bring honor to Italy with your behavior and the results you will achieve” concluded Mattarella.
“We are delighted to see Federica Brignone once again ready and determined: we spoke months ago on the phone and were counting on this” the President of the Republic”s thoughts for the outclasswoman from Valle d’Aosta, one of the four standard-bearers who will represent Italy in the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games, scheduled for Feb. 6, in Milan and Cortina d” Ampezzo.
L’Azzurra will parade in Cortina together with Amos Mosaner, Olympic curling champion in Beijing 2022 and world champion in mixed doubles, and now the first person from Trentino to become an Azzurro standard bearer. In Milan, on the other hand, it will be the turn of multi-time Olympic short track champion Arianna Fontana, the most medaled Italian athlete in Olympic history, along with Federico Pellegrino, the leading man of tricolor cross-country skiing, a two-time silver medalist in PyeongChang and Beijing.
