This morning, Giovanni Malagò, President of CONI, together with Carlo Mornati, Deputy Secretary General and Head of Olympic Preparations, took part in the celebration of the 60 years of the Olympic Preparations Centre (CPO) in Formia. Instituted in 1955, thanks to an intuition of Bruno Zauli, to favour the growth of athletes and coaches in the field of competitive sports, the Centre is equipped with outdoor and indoor facilities, where more than 20 sport disciplines can be practised throughout the year. Various Federation Presidents and many representatives of CONI's local organisations attended the conference, together with Amar Addadi, President of the CIJM (International Committee of Mediterranean Games).

The event opened with two symbolic moments: Piazza del CPO (CPO square), will be pedestrianised and change its name to “Piazza delle Medaglie d’Oro” (Golden Medals square), while the Viale (avenue) was named after Pietro Mennea, unforgotten Olympic athlete, who precisely in Formia built some of his most significant victories.  The wife of the former 200-metre sprinter, Manuela, and his long-time coach, Carlo Vittori, were present at the event.

Malagò gave the official welcome. "Formia represents the height of Italy's sporting system and it is not thanks to me or to CONI's current top management. It is thanks to many of people in attendance today and to many that have left us. I give thanks to mayor Bartolomeo for his welcome and to Davide Tizzano, who runs the centre with care and passion. I give thanks to all people who felt this place as their home over the last 60 years, not only to those involved in athletics, which is still the most important discipline in the centre.  I am happy and excited to see and hug Manuela Mennea and Carlo Vittori for the emotional moments Pietro gifted us, and Sara Simeoni, athlete of the century representing all the exceptional champions who passed through Formia. The celebration of the past and of who wrote history is important, but even more important is to plan a winning future, and this place offers the foundation to think big. Here many athletes, even foreigners, have become champions".

The mayor of Formia, Sandro Bartolomeo, spoke of the pride the city has for the Centre, which is a reference point in the sporting world. "I think that in 1955, when Bruno Zauli founded this school, no one could have imagined what it was going to become. Formia's name has toured the world due to the results and fame acquired thanks to athletes that built their successes here".

Carlo Mornati, CONI's Deputy Secretary and Head of Olympic Preparations, expanded on the concept. "The 60 years of this facility represented an occasion to bring you here, to celebrate a model and a view of living the sporting experience.  Our Olympic preparation centres are a feather in our cap when the competitive sports movement is mentioned abroad, and this makes us proud. The Acqua Acetosa sport centre (based in Rome) is in the spotlight, whereas Formia and Tirrenia are nearly at the periphery. I am happy that the care given to the centres has been rewarded, many disciplines make use of it, together with the many athletes of Club Italia. Formia does not only stand for future, but I believe and I hope that it stands for a great present moment, as we prepare for the Rio Games".

Sara Simeoni spoke on behalf of the athletes, as athlete of the Century. "Formia has not only represented a springboard, but also a home, a place where to build successes and grow in the field of competitive sports. It has been an irreplaceable travel companion, I experienced indelible emotions, which I keep in the collection of my most beautiful memories".  Many champions of the past participated in the event, a vivid testimony to the special relationship that connects Formia to the world of the five-circle movement, the Olympics. President Malagò then visited the centre and greeted the athletes that were present.