CONI president Giovanni Malagò led a delegation of Italian athletes and sports stars at the Quirinal as part of the festivities celebrating 70 years of the Republic. The celebration was attended by the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, with his daughter Laura, Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi, along with some of the country's most important institutional representatives and, among others, the recent winner of the 99th edition of the Giro d'Italia, Vincenzo Nibali, fencing champions Aldo Montano and Rossella Fiamingo, European 100 metre freestyle champion, Luca Dotto, Leicester City manager - winner of the Premier League - Claudio Ranieri and IAADS multiple world champion, Nicole Orlando. The Head of State met with Italy's star athletes, congratulating them on their success and receiving in return the maglia rosa from Nibali (photo Quirinal - by Paul Giandotti) and a Leicester City shirt from Claudio Ranieri.

Malagò expressed his pride in Italian sport for the reception received. "It has been a huge satisfaction for the world of sports, because President Mattarella chose to meet with the athlete delegation first and then we spoke at length with Prime Minister, Renzi, who is a keen sports fan. A great honour, never before has our sporting world been given such recognition on the 1st of June. Mattarella wished everyone the best in preparing for Rio and did so in a way that meant we were the first to greet him".