The CONI Institute of Sports Medicine and Science celebrates 60 years. At the Acqua Acetosa Olympic Preparation Centre, the President of the Italian National Olympic Committee, Giovanni Malagò, celebrated the anniversary of the institute that was established on 6 November 1963 and is now named after Professor Antonio Venerando. The only CONI health and scientific facility on national soil, the IMSS, directed today by Giampiero Pastore, has the institutional task of protecting the health of elite athletes, providing the National Sports Federations with scientific knowledge for the improvement of sports performance in view of Olympic and high-level events, and promoting a sports culture aimed at ensuring individual well-being. "I am particularly happy to have with me former CONI president and honorary IOC member Franco Carraro, board member Paolo Pizzo and Olympic champion Elia Viviani," said President Giovanni Malagò. "Here at the Institute there is a long history of men, doctors, sports executives: not only me, but all of us are deeply grateful. In recent years, a new era of success, prestige, credibility and ambition has dawned." On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the IMSS, the Library was named after Dr Barbara Di Giacinto, former director of the Institute of Sports Medicine, who passed away last March at the age of 46. "I am truly honoured to dedicate this room, at the heart of the Institute, to Barbara Di Giacinto," stressed Malagò. "I am happy to have her parents, husband and children here with us. Barbara looks down on us from above and will be happy today – this will remain her place for eternity." "Being here is a pleasure, everyone misses Barbara. At the Tokyo Olympics I experienced great emotions, I remember how she managed every little detail: today she is not here, but I feel her presence," said Elia Viviani. "With great emotion we all remember Professor Di Giacinto. Her children will carry on her memory," Franco Carraro remarked. "I would like to remember Giulio Onesti, whose legacy this all is – we are here thanks to him. And I thank all those who have worked for this Institute: the great results achieved by our athletes are due to the role of the Institute".  "My life is tied to CONI through twelve Olympic Games and long periods spent with the Italian team. The joys outweigh the hard and difficult times, and for this I thank everyone," said Giorgio Santilli, Director of the Institute from 1984 to 1996. At the end of the ceremony, the Library plaque dedicated to Professor Di Giacinto was unveiled. "Barbara was at home here, it was her second family. She was proud and appreciative to be part of the world of sport: at home she told us about everything, she was very focused on her work. It's nice to know that she left such a big mark, translated into these expressions of affection and gratitude," said Vittorio, Barbara Di Giacinto's husband.