Italian sport is in mourning. Giorgio Napolitano – for nine years President of the Republic (2006-2015) – the first in history to be twice re-elected, the only recipient of CONI’s Collar d’Oro for sporting merit (2016), and the last of our Heads of State to have attended the Opening Ceremony of an edition of the Olympic Games (London 2012), passed away today in Rome.

Born in Naples on June 29, 1925, Napolitano had a long political career in various institutions across the country. President of the Chamber of Deputies, Minister of the Interior, Member of the European Parliament, appointed Senator for Life by Ciampi, before his election as President of the Republic on 15 May, 2006 and subsequent re-election in 2013 until his resignation on 14 January, 2015.

During his tenure at the Quirinal his name became associated with numerous sporting events related to CONI and the Olympic world: a few days after his first election he flew to Berlin to witness Italy’s win in the football World Cup in the final against France. In 2008 he presented the Coppa Italia in football in the Olympic Stadium for the first time, allowing the trophy to be renamed the “President’s Cup”. Also in 2008, he entrusted the flag to Antonio Rossi for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. In 2009 he inaugurated the 2009 World Swimming Championships at the Stadio dei Marmi, participating in the Opening Ceremony. Later, in 2010, he handed the tricolour flag to Giorgio Di Centa for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games; also in 2010 he hosted a reception in the Quirinal Gardens to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Rome 1960, while in 2012 he delivered the flag to Valentina Vezzali for the London Olympic Games which he then attended, participating in the Opening Ceremony (accompanied by his son Giulio), with a visit the day before to the Olympic Village with the athletes (the last President of the Republic to do so). In 2014 he handed over the flag for the Sochi Winter Olympic Games to Armin Zoeggeler, and also in 2014 he was a guest at the Casa delle Armi at the Foro Italico for CONI’s 100th anniversary celebrations.

CONI President Giovanni Malagò, reflecting the sentiments of all Italian sport, on behalf of both CONI and himself, delivered the following message: “Today we mourn the passing of a great friend of sport. Giorgio Napolitano was a point of reference for us who unfailingly demonstrated his closeness and attention to us during the years he was at the Quirinal Palace. I remember him particularly at the CONI Centennial ceremony, where I had the honour of presenting him with the Collare d’Oro for sporting merit in the Salone d’Onore. Unforgettable moments of joy that we will always remember. In this moment of great sadness, I extend to his wife Clio and sons Giovanni and Giulio our deepest and most sincere feelings of condolence on behalf of Italian sport and myself.”

President Malagò invited the National Sports Federations, Associated Sports Disciplines and Sports Promotion Bodies to observe a minute’s silence at all sporting events taking place in Italy over the weekend to honour the memory of President Giorgio Napolitano.