Minister Pinotti meets the military athletes of Rio 2016

(To Anita Fiaschetti)
20/10/16

12 medals, are those won by the 75 military athletes of Army, Navy, Aeronautics, Carabinieri and GSPD (Paralympic Sports Defense Group) at the Rio 2016 Olympics and Paralympics. Athletes who were received this morning by the Minister of Defense, Roberta Pinotti, in a ceremony held at Palazzo Aeronautica.

"They gave us great emotions - said the minister - and they have been able to honor the tradition of the military sports movement. Meeting them today in Rome I could see in their eyes a great satisfaction and the immense dedication they put into what they do. Rio was a truly special adventure, because for the first time, and I am particularly proud of it, the Paralympic Defense Sports Group was also able to participate in the Games, made up of men and women who, operating at home or in the outside national borders, have contracted injuries or disabling and permanent illnesses in the fulfillment of their duty. These are extraordinary athletes, who have been able to overcome every barrier with heart and passion. Thanks again to all the military athletes, who have held high the name of Italy and the Armed Forces".

Present at Palazzo Aeronautica, together with the military athletes returning from the August and September Games, also the Undersecretary of Defense Gioacchino Alfano, the Chief of Defense Staff, General Claudio Graziano, the President of Coni, Giovanni Malagò, and of the CIP (Committee Italian Paralympic), Luca Pancalli, in addition to the Chiefs of Staff of all four Armed Forces.

Before meeting the athletes, Minister Pinotti and the president of Coni Malagò signed an agreement on Sports Medicine. "It follows from the framework agreement we signed in the 2015”Explained Pinotti. The agreement aims to promote a health protection campaign in sport through the implementation of medical assistance programs and the development of research projects on Sports Medicine, Food Science and Human Nutrition and Science applied to Sport. In particular, it ensures support for medical examinations in sports medicine for military athletes, for all members of the Armed Forces and their families.