Now Federations to the polls. Pagnozzi in team with Binaghi, everything easy for Casasco, Aracu and co.

With the Paris Games now over, the elective assemblies of the sports federations have begun (there is time until March 2025), while the position of John Malago at Coni. Two Federations, both Olympic, have already gone to the polls. Squash, which will debut at the Games in four years, in Los Angeles 2028, has elected Siro Zarella, handball (no representative at Paris 2024) now has at the top Stephen Podini. At the end of the month, on August 31st, it’s the turn of FitraTriathlon Federation: there are four candidates, Aldo Angeli, Raffaele Buonocore, Daniele Moraglia and Riccardo Giubilei (outgoing president). The Federtennis and padel are also at the polls: voting will take place on September 1st, in Salerno. Only one candidate, Angel Binaghi: there was a timid attempt by Corrado Barazzutti who someone wanted in a pair with Flavia Pennetta. Nothing, Binaghi is too strong, he would have won easily against anyone. In the federal council with Binaghi there is still Chiara Appendino, former mayor of Turin and leading figure of the 5 Star Movement, while she enters Raffaelle “Lello” Pagnozziformer secretary general of Coni, beaten (by a hair) by Malagò in the sprint for the presidency, now secretary general of Coe (European Olympic Committees). Pagnozzi is an important name, with great international experience: Binaghi’s “team” will be even stronger.

The Italian Swimming Federation (FIN) will instead go to the polls on September 7 in Rome: whether Senator Fabio Rampelli, Fdi, a former swimmer, can run or not, makes little difference. Paul Barelli will win easily, even if he will have to obtain two thirds of the votes having passed the third mandate. On the other hand, the electoral race at Fise, the Equestrian Federation, is poisoned: the lawyer Mark DiPaola he cares a lot, he has very fierce rivals but he also looks carefully at the Coni. The veterans, Luciano Rossi e Sabatino Aracueight mandates each (and never mind those who spoke of caste…), in the meantime they will remain in their positions: they are also presidents of the International Federation, well known and esteemed even in the IOC. Among other things, Aracu is organizing the World Skate Games throughout Italy, for September, a great event reserved for young people.

Federmedici (Fmsi) seemed intent on voting in September but Maurizio Casascovery busy with his party, Forza Italia, will move the elections later. In the Federation he certainly has no rivals.

Bocce Federation, meeting in Chianciano, September 28: a man alone in command, Marco Junio ​​De Sanctis. The situation of the FIGC is complex: on November 4th the electoral weights change, the Serie A and Serie B leagues gain more power. There is a lot of excitement around the name of Gabriel Gravina. Football has not been able to reform itself, it has had to submit to the rules established by politics. A mistake. Gravina has not yet resolved whether he will run again or not. But he is used to fighting. And some politicians should remember that the presidents of the Federation (and of Coni) are elected, not appointed.

On September 16th in Rome, the Federgolf of Frank Chimenti who has no intention of giving up after having brought the Ryder Cup to Italy. No problem for the Federpesi: Alberto Miglietta in October he succeeds his friend Antonio Urso, who will remain secretary of the International Federation. He will certainly not change his line, seriousness and rigor in the fight against doping and corruption. On December 21st he is elected to the Basketball Federation, absent in Paris: Gianni Petrucci The Roman lawyer wants to stay in the saddle Guido Values he challenges it.