Immerse yourselves in the affection of all of Italy. It is a genuine affection that you should not interpret as pressure,” expressed the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, as he spoke to the athletes at the Village with the Azzurri at the 2024 Paris Games.
“Moments ago,” added the Head of State, “we sang the anthem: it’s always beautiful to hear it, but thank you for that. The medals that will come are welcomed, but what’s more important is the spirit of sports that you embody.”
“I feel somewhat out of age,” concluded Mattarella, with his characteristic humor and smile, which earned him a loud applause from all the athletes. For the first time in history abroad, the Corazzieri welcomed the Head of State at the Athletes’ Village. The Italy Team presented Mattarella with a hoodie, handed to him by the flag bearers, Gianmarco Tamberi and Arianna Errigo.
Mattarella arrived in Paris this morning on a State flight. Accompanying him was the Olympic champion Gianmarco Tamberi, the Italian flag bearer at the Games.
Upon his arrival, the President signed the Olympic Truce wall.
Video Mattarella’s Arrival in Paris for the Olympics Opening
Reproduction reserved © Copyright ANSA
