Operation Milleproroghe, Malagò remains at Coni until May 2026?

As is known, according to the current law, the Lotti law, Giovanni Malagò can remain in office at CONI only until May 2025. He cannot serve more than three terms, unlike the presidents of sports federations who have no limits (if they get two-thirds of the votes). But CONI, as Abodi and Barelli, certainly not two friends of Malagò, have recently reiterated, is a public body and is subject to different rules. A law would be needed to change them.

The number 1 of CONI does not give up: he has repeatedly pointed out that now the sports federations no longer depend on him for public contributions (but on Sport and Health), he has pointed out the unequal treatment with the federal presidents and the fact that CONI would have a new leader on the occasion of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics even if he would remain president of the Olympic Foundation. Not only that: “public opinion is with me”, explained Malagò after the success in Paris 2024. In short, according to him there are many reasons for him not to end his career next spring. He is waiting for a signal from the government that for now has not arrived while the elective assemblies of the Federations have begun. It is quite difficult, by now, that there could be a provision from Parliament to allow Malagò to run again for another Olympic four-year period, that is until 2028. The signals coming from the political world are contradictory.

Carlo Mornati, secretary general of CONI and head of the Olympic mission, considers another mandate for Malagò legitimate and explains: “Our budget is 45 million. We spend 10 million to maintain the buildings, another two million go to contain the expenditure of public bodies, which CONI has returned to being. Without the funds that, with a unique and rare ability, we manage to find on the market (about 50-55 million) our work would become very difficult”. CONI, explains Mornati, “is a sui generis public body: the institutional activity is covered by the State for only 32%. In order to be able to operate in an optimal manner, it is necessary to raise the guaranteed minimum”.

But there is also another path, perhaps more viable: Malagò could have a one-year extension, to remain at CONI until May 2026 and thus represent Italian sport at the Milan-Cortina Games. His successor would be voted on only in June 2026. A forcing of the Olympic Charter, if you like: but it can be done. Thomas Bach, also leaving, would have nothing to say. And then this solution, the one-year derogation, would also be good for many federal presidents, worried about the fight that could develop at CONI. Yes, there would be quite a few candidates to take Malagò’s place. By allowing the current number 1 of Palazzo H to stay one more year, the succession could then be more painless. The way to allow Malagò to have a one-year extension, even if he dreams of another four-year period, could be the Milleproroghe, the decree that postpones the duration of numerous government or legislative provisions. We will talk about it later, perhaps at the beginning of next year, because now the government has other problems, much more urgent. Malagò returned to work at Coni after Paris 2024 (and the holidays): now he will focus mainly on the organization of Milan-Cortina 2026, where we are certainly not very advanced. Waiting for good news from the political front…

World Skate Games, Tuesday presentation with Abodi

On Tuesday 3 September, at 11 am, at the Terrazza del Pincio, in Rome, the press conference will be held to present the World Skate Games Italy 2024. An event organized by World Skate of President Sabatino Aracu that will be held for the first time in Italy, in four Regions (Piedmont, Lazio, Emilia Romagna and Abruzzo), from 6 to 22 September. Colle Oppio, Pincio and Ostia will be the heart of the world event. On the 6th, the inauguration ceremony will take place at the Spanish Steps. Abodi, Malagò, Mezzaroma, Nepi, Onorato will be at the presentation next Tuesday. The WSG will involve thousands of young people from all over the world.

Triathlon Federation, Giubilei confirmed as president with 76 percent

Today the extraordinary and ordinary elective national assembly of Fitri (Italian Triathlon Federation) was held in Fiumicino, which confirmed Riccardo Giubilei as president. Giubilei obtained 76.29% of the preferences (3,324 votes), beating the other candidates for the position of federal president Aldo Angeli, Raffaele Buonocore and Daniele Moraglia who respectively totaled 0 votes, 42 votes (0.96% of the preferences) and 981 votes (22.52% of the preferences). “Today there was a truly important presence of companies, technicians and athletes on this 31st August in Rome. The 87% attendance at the Assembly shows that this is a healthy community and that it wants to give its contribution to the growth of triathlon and the construction of its ruling class”, commented Riccardo Giubilei, in his second term as president of Fitri. Tomorrow, September 1st, elective assembly of the Fitp (Tennis and Padel Federation): only one candidate for the presidency, Angelo Binaghi.