The Olympic dream passes through Livigno. The new CONI Olympic Preparation Centre (CPO), at the service of Italian sport, was unveiled today in Valtellina. The CPO, the result of the memorandum of understanding signed last June by CONI and the Livigno Tourist Promotion and Development Company, joins those of Acqua Acetosa (Rome), Formia and Tirrenia. It has a unique feature: it is the only one in Italy to allow high altitude athletic training and will thus let the top-level athletes from the Olympic Preparation Centre train in conditions of high elevation.

The presentation was attended by the Secretary General of CONI, Carlo Mornati, the Mayor of Livigno, Remo Galli, the Mayor of Bormio, Silvia Cavazzi, the President of the Livigno Tourist Promotion and Development Company, Luca Moretti, the Head of the Olympic Preparation Office, Alessio Palombi, the Head of CONI’s Institute of Sports Medicine and Science, Giampiero Pastore, IOC member and swimming champion, Federica Pellegrini, athletes from the Club Olimpico, Thomas Ceccon (Swimming), Nicolò Martinenghi (Swimming) and Michela Moioli (Snowboarding) and athletes from various disciplines in the Livigno region: Giacomo Bormolini (Telemark), Michele Bormolini (Ice rally driver), Niccolò Colturi (Snowboard Cross), Nicolò Cusini (Cross-country skiing), Jole Galli (Skicross), Giulia Molinari (Triathlon), Veronica Silvestri (Cross-country skiing). Also present were the Councillor for Sport for Livigno, Marina Claoti and Stefano Podini, curator and owner of the exhibition on Olympic torches set up in the Centre. Meanwhile, the Undersecretary responsible for Sport, the 2026 Olympics and Major Events of the Lombardy Region, Antonio Rossi, sent a video greeting.

“These new structures are at the service of citizens and athletes”, explained Mayor Galli. “We have represented the union and brotherhood of the Olympic logo. This centre is a very important achievement. Those who play sports know what respect, loyalty and teamwork mean”.
“Today we are celebrating athletics and all that it teaches”, added the Mayor of Bormio, Cavazzi. “Together we are working to prepare for Milano Cortina 2026: it's a team effort and that’s what we are. Bormio and Livigno: between us there is a healthy competition to present ourselves to the world as leaders in sport”.
“A dream has come true”, said Undersecretary Rossi. “The Centre will play a very important supporting role. Congratulations to all those who helped contribute to the Centre’s completion”.

The Centre is a great achievement for CONI. “It is a special moment that began some time ago”, remarked Mornati. “In 2013 we were talking about a CPO at high altitude. Sport is very practical: various factors have led several Federations to go to Livigno. With Livigno we’ve achieved our goal. Those who go to high altitude go looking for the best: it is a privilege to have reached this agreement with Livigno. This will add value to a splendid centre that has already become a reference point in the territory".

The CPO of Livigno was conceived out of the Centro Sportivo Aquagranda, making it one of the biggest sport and wellness facilities in Europe, already used for the gatherings and stages by several Italian national teams and even more a reference point for CONI and its National Sport Federations. Thanks to the agreement signed between CONI and the Livigno Tourist Promotion and Development Company, the sports and accommodation facilities of the Valtellina municipality will also be used for athletic meetings and training sessions at special rates and prices.
The Olympic Preparation Centre, already used for athletics, football, swimming, winter sports and triathlon, will expand its offer – starting with the construction of an Olympic swimming pool in addition to the 25-metre pool – thus meeting the needs of diverse disciplines, with two main aims in its sights: the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games, with the snowboard and freestyle competitions scheduled to be held in Livigno. 
“With Livigno we complete the offer proposed by CONI to the Federations”, explained Palombi. “Our CPOs offer the best possible conditions to train in”.

Illustrating the benefits of a high-altitude centre such as the Livigno CPO are Giampiero Pastore and Claudio Donatelli, athletic trainer for CONI and the FIGC, who offered a preview of the seminar “Training at altitude” to be presented on 26 October at the CPO in Rome. 
“We will give considerable support to athletes and coaches, an all-encompassing support”, assured Pastore, who along with the institute that he manages, was behind many of the Azzurri's successes at the last Olympic Games.
“Team sports have become stamina sports”, explained Donatelli, “and working at altitude gives advantages. There is no one-size-fits-all recipe: we will produce a full, wide range of assessments capable of meeting the needs of each sport”.
An exceptional testimonial to the Valtellina resort came from Federica Pellegrini whose many successes were rooted here. “It's a happy day for Livigno and for Italian sport”, she said. "Sport has found a fundamental home for all seasons. Good luck to everyone”.
Moreover, Michela Moioli and the other Azzurri of the Italia Team have a bond with the CPO and this valley. “Livigno is my second home”, she confessed. “Here you can find peace. And here we will play at home at the Olympics: we trust in the great work that has been done and what will be done in Livigno”.
Currently in retreat at the Olympic Preparation Centre training camp are many of the Azzurri swimmers. “I have been coming to Livigno for 2-3 years”, recalled Ceccon, “for the first time I’m going to do 3 weeks: the benefits are subjective, but I really feel its advantages. The addition of the 50-metre pool is invaluable. It’s a great centre, very comfortable, where the conditions are ideal”. Sentiments shared by Martinenghi: “Walking through the Livigno centre you can breathe a familiar air. I really like coming here. It is very useful to recharge ahead of any important events. Plus it brings good luck”.
Someone who has only recently discovered the Centre is the coach of Under-21 football, Paolo Nicolato, who was satisfied with what he found. “Here are all the features you need to prepare for team sports competitions", said the coach. “Everything we need is here. It is a modern centre”.
This is also due to the investments made by the Tourist Board and the Municipality of Livigno. “These have been tough years but we have managed to make this an “easy” yet well-defined Centre”, declared Moretti. “Today is a starting point: this is the home to athletes and future Olympians. We are a top-class resource and we have to show it”.

(Photo APT Livigno)