“Dear President and friend, it was with great sadness that I learned of the death of Franco Frattini. With his passing, the entire Olympic Movement has lost a great friend and supporter. In all his diverse roles and responsibilities, he was always close to the Italian National Olympic Committee and Italy’s IOC members. His wise advice and help in many situations was always greatly appreciated”. So opens the letter sent by the President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, to the President of the Italian National Olympic Committee, Giovanni Malagò, in remembering Franco Frattini, President of the Council of State and until 29 January this year President of the Collegio di Garanzia dello Sport, who passed away on Christmas night.

“Franco Frattini was instrumental in the recognition of the International Olympic Committee at the United Nations General Assembly as an official observer”, continues Bach in the letter. “He made everything possible by presenting the project to the UN member states with his energy and great political skills. Particularly for this great achievement, the Olympic Movement will always be very grateful to him and will bestow upon him the highest honour. My deepest condolences”.