An evening of emotions and memories. Of sport, declared in its most noble and authentic meaning, intertwined with 5 circles of history and tradition. It was the night of Mario Pescante, who greeted the achievement of his 80 years and the end of his mandate as a IOC member (from January he will take on the honorary position) with a party that brought together the leaders of the international and Italian competitive sports as protagonists, the champions of yesterday and today, the managers, the technicians, the old friends (Foto Mezzelani-GMT). Approximately 300 guests celebrated a man who has crossed the decades upholding the passion for the world of which he has been a proud standard bearer, conveying the message in the most concealed and difficult corners, together in the most important venues and always emblazoned with the same, stubborn and capable action.

To pay homage to him, among others, a large delegation of the International Olympic Committee, of which Pescante was also Deputy Vice President until 2012, led by IOC President Thomas Bach, and by the Honorary President Jacques Rogge, the number one of the Association of the national Olympic committees (Anoc), Sheikh Fahad Al-Sabah, the INOCs of today and yesterday, from Malagò to Petrucci to Carraro, Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, the mayors of Milan and Cortina Giuseppe Sala and Gianpietro Ghedina, Gianni Letta, the General  Director  of the Ryder Cup Rome 2022 Gianpaolo Montali, the President of Credito Sportivo Andrea Abodi, Federal Presidents and many Olympic athletes and prominent athletes of the past, including the current Secretary General of INOC Carlo Mornati, Juri Chechi, Carlo Molfetta, Diana Bianchedi, and Antonio Rossi, as well as managers and politicians. During his 25-year tenure at the IOC, Pescante distinguished himself through his work as the Permanent Observatory to the United Nations, collecting important diplomatic successes with respect to world crises, most recently the historic peace between the two Koreas on the occasion of the Olympics winters of Pyeongchang 2018. After the ritual greetings, the gala dinner was held at tables that could not fail to take into account the name of the Olympic Games editions, from 1896 to 2016. 

In the heart of the Olympic Stadium, where the sacred meaning of the Games can forever be breathed in, the studded ribbon of an endless career, certainly special, was re-wrapped. "This is my party - confided Pescante - it's a beautiful day, and there are many friends who have come a long way to be with me. Athletes, managers, friends. I haven’t concluded my story yet, but I think it's a nice achievement. I'm happy and I have to say that I almost feel like starting over”.   

The first speech closing the celebration was the one from Giovanni Malagò, INOC President "In Buenos Aires I received the baton of Mario, he made history. He is a guiding light for us and for the Italian sport in the world Thanks to managers like him Italy is a top class excellence and a unique model in the world. I always thought him as an older brother, admiring him for the credibility tribute to him all through the time”.

Gianni Letta’ praises are full of anecdotes and quotations: "Mario embodies the values of our own land. He knew how to weave the values of the city of Avezzano with those of sport, he always lived with passion, respect and courage. He is a man of peace and was unanimously recognized in the world, even as a representative of the IOC in the UN where he battled to promote peace in the world. As a commissioner of Turin 2006, he allowed Italy to respect the commitment made for the Games, creating a miracle and a great organizational masterpiece. He has always operated in respect of the autonomy of sport from politics. The principle that we claim: there must never be influences coming from politics. A concept to keep in mind always, yesterday, today and tomorrow”. 

The thoughts of Cardinal Ravasi are also significant: "Religion often intertwines with the game, there are many points of contact. All the results are obtained through the practice of asceticism, which means training with determination and talent. Mario was an outstanding example for sport, he put passion and a lot of skill into it and I am convinced that his 'flight' will not end here".

Finally, Thomas Bach head of the International Olympic Committee dedicated sincere and moving thoughts to his friend Pescante: “Mario has and shall keep giving a most precious contribution to the Olympic movement.  He has a great heart and unshakable values. He made real effective Olympic ideals such as friendship, loyalty, peace and brotherhood.  By his mettle and enthusiasm he is still a young man.  We often shared our opinions although sometimes diverging, but he kept always loyal to me and supported me, also on my election as IOC President.  He has made extraordinary things happen at ONU, spoke many languages, yet always using his heart, and that made the difference. Best wishes Mario, I see no limits in your future”.