ROME
IOC President Thomas Bach this morning visited the Giulio Onesti Olympic Preparation Centre in Rome. Following his audience at the Quirinale with President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, Bach, accompanied by CONI President Giovanni Malagò, toured the CONI Institute of Sports Medicine and Science. Guided by Medical Director Professor Andrea Ferretti, Olympic Area Head Dr Maria Rosaria Squeo and Institute Manager Giampiero Pastore, he praised the facility, which serves as a national hub for Italy’s Olympic athletes (photo: Ferdinando Mezzelani/GMT).
In the physiotherapy hall Bach greeted several members of the Italia Team undergoing rehabilitation: fencer Chiara Mormile, weightlifter Giulia Imperio and hurdler Lorenzo Simonelli, before meeting Paris 2024 taekwondo bronze medallist Simone Alessio.
The IOC President then joined Malagò at the Sports High School of the Convitto Nazionale “Vittorio Emanuele II”, located within the CPO, where he was welcomed by students including national diving team member Matteo Santoro.
Bach also toured the newly built multi-purpose arena at the centre, meeting Italy rugby coach Gonzalo Quesada as the national side prepares for the Six Nations. He spent time with the Institute’s technical staff and left with a message of encouragement: “Good luck ahead of Milano Cortina 2026”.
