The 15th National Sports Day presented in Rome, the Rosamilia sisters honoured

A festive Sunday to celebrate sport and the values that characterise it, in the wake of an appointment that has now become a pleasant tradition. CONI President Giovanni Malagò, Secretary General Carlo Mornati, the Director General for Italians Abroad and Migration Policies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, minister plenipotentiary Luigi Maria Vignali, together with the President of the conference of CONI Regional Presidents, Gianfranco Porqueddu, and CONI's USA Delegate, Mico Licastro, presented today – at the Foro Italico – the 15th National Sports Day, which will take place simultaneously on 3 June across the whole country (photo Carbone GMT). During the presentation, Malagò and Mornati, in the presence of FITRI President Luigi Bianchi, honoured Valentina Rosamilia and Nina, two Italian-Swiss triathletes who finished first and third respectively in the National Final of the Duathlon Championships held in Cuneo last April: a tangible example of the opportunity Italian youngsters registered with our clubs have to compete in our national championships. A great festival for all those who love and play sport and for the promotion of all the sports disciplines involved, with events across many Italian municipalities. An important novelty of this edition is the involvement, following an agreement between the Italian National Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation/Directorate General for Italians Abroad, of our Italian Communities Abroad: each CONI Delegate operating in the six recognised countries (Argentina, Brazil, Canada, United States, Switzerland and Venezuela) will organise promotional initiatives in their country to celebrate the Day on the same date as in Italy. This year the day will focus on the theme "Sport defends nature", close to the principles set out by the IOC in Agenda 2020, in which environmental sustainability is identified as one of the goals to pursue, starting from the educational and social responsibility sport has, including in preserving, protecting and enhancing nature. "This project is growing exponentially year after year," declared Malagò, "and it is enriched by the participation of the Italian communities abroad. We have enhanced the format thanks to the invaluable work of the regional committees and embraced the great idea of a union between sport and the environment, because it is madness not to combine sport with the protection of nature and absolute respect for the territory, as also stressed by the IOC's Agenda 2020. I hope the National Sports Day keeps this purpose forever, because this is the message to pass on to our children." "It will be a fantastic day," assured Secretary General Mornati, "a showcase for our regional committees to see that sport is close to nature in many forms. One of the cornerstones of Agenda 2020 is that sport defends nature, and CONI also supports the United Nations plan for the wellbeing of our planet. The average Italian sportsperson is sensitive to respect for nature and animals. Sometimes we don't show what we are, and this is a good opportunity to do so, also thanks to the Ministry." "Sport can become a precious tool for promoting the Italian system abroad: the Italian communities are its natural vehicle," underlined Director General Vignali. "In this perspective, we want to activate flows of so-called return tourism of people of Italian descent towards Italy precisely through sport, for example by taking part in running or cycling events," he concluded. Everything will take place under the direction of CONI which, in coordination with the sports associations and bodies operating in the territory and together with local authorities, will take initiatives, within its competences, to promote and enhance the educational and social function of sport as a fundamental factor for the growth and enrichment of the individual, the preservation of health, the improvement of quality of life and the empowerment and strengthening of civil society. "The project was born in 2003 on the initiative of the Council of Ministers and driven by a series of events in the squares of our country. This event is part of our mission, which is linked to promoting sporting practice and physical activity," recalled Porqueddu. All photos at: www.facebook.com/pg/conisvizzera/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1660969670684380 "In athletes we see ourselves," explained Licastro. "Sport is culture, it is community. We are grateful to President Malagò for letting us share in such a significant moment. I also thank the Territory and Promotion department." Official CONI announcement: http://www.coni.it/it/news/primo-piano/14970-presentata-al-foro-italico-la-xv-giornata-nazionale-dello-sport-malag%C3%B2,-un-progetto-che-cresce-anno-dopo-anno.html