Overview
- Italy’s Olympic and Paralympic teams were received by President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinale, where the six flag-bearers returned the Tricolore during a state ceremony Wednesday.
- Mattarella accepted replica sets of Olympic and Paralympic medals and presented commemorative medals to medalists and fourth-place finishers, with CONI, the Paralympic committee, and the sports minister in attendance.
- Pointing to Italy’s 30 medals at Milan–Cortina 2026, Mattarella praised the Games as a success in organization and hospitality and as a lesson in fair play and shared rules.
- On the sidelines, speed skater Francesca Lollobrigida brushed off remarks by outgoing FIGC president Gabriele Gravina that split pro and amateur sport, and skier Sofia Goggia backed Giovanni Malagò as an excellent candidate to lead the federation.
- After the ceremony, athletes signed autographs and took selfies with children outside the palace, with curler Stefania Constantini lingering to greet fans.