Day one of competition at the Trofeo CONI 2022 got underway in Valdichiana Senese with the first thrills for the 3,000 plus Under-14 athletes who had travelled to Tuscany to live out their dreams and face competitors of the same age from 23 regional teams (including those of the Italian communities of Canada and Switzerland). The CONI event, organised this year by the Tuscan Regional Committee in partnership with the Region of Tuscany and the Union of Municipalities of the Valdichiana Senese, sees the young champions competing in 41 different disciplines.

For the first time, the event – now in its seventh edition – dedicated to Italy’s most promising Under-14s, is being broadcast live on Italia Team TV, the Italian National Olympic Committee’s OTT platform. Commenting on the final of men's foil, from the PalaFuccelli in Chiusi, was the ambassador for the Trofeo CONI 2022, Alice Volpi. Italia Team’s multiple medal-winning Azzurra in fencing then awarded the winners from her discipline, wishing that they will one day be able to live “the Olympic dream”. The national foil fencer then posed for photos and autographs with her young protégés.

The Trofeo CONI not only offers youngsters the chance to experience an exciting multidisciplinary event, it is also a breeding ground for champions, especially as far as fencing goes. Indeed, at the first edition held in 2014 in Caserta, a very young Davide Di Veroli – world silver medallist in the team épée at Cairo 2022 – took part and triumphed. From the Trofeo CONI he went on to live the Olympic dream: first as flag-bearer and gold medal winner at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires 2018 and then as a member of the Italia Team at Tokyo 2020. 

Also present in the PalaFuccelli stands, witnessing the high-level event, was another international fencing legend, Giovanna Trillini. 

(Photo: Luca Pagliaricci - CONI. Photo gallery: Luca Pagliaricci, Roberto Di Tondo - CONI)