“My game is not over”Word from the president of Coni, Giovanni Malagò, in an interview given to Corriere dello Sport after the closing of the Paris Olympics. “I would like to continue the work of these years, it’s called spirit of service – adds Malagò -, the personal desire is to complete the journey arriving at Taranto and the 2026 Olympics, events for which I have exposed myself like never before, something that is internationally recognized. Milan-Cortina and Taranto are the result of the lobbying activity with my colleagues”. Adriano Galliani, the man of impeccable summaries, asked this question: Why do they demand the resignation of a president who loses a European or World Cup? and don’t you call for the confirmation of those who instead emerge victorious from two Olympics?
“I think – Malagò replies – that it is not a question of circumstance. I have been a friend of Adriano for a long time, we have shared many political and sports choices. He knows this world very well and knows that the opposing pressures are exclusively political, they have nothing to do with sports”. Another endorsement recorded after the interview with Minister Abodi is that of Franco Carraro. “Carraro has always known my family, he has affection and esteem for me and has a unique and unrepeatable experience of federal and sports matters. I don’t want to seem inelegant, but from 90% of the sports organizations, athletes included, I have received very positive, affectionate and clear signals. Furthermore, the consensus of 67% of the qualified electorate cannot be overlooked. I also read Luca’s (Montezemolo) words, they made me very happy… There is nothing personal between me and the minister, however I wonder what would have happened, with the roles reversed, if 5 days before the end of the Games I had declared that he would have to leave”. Abodi has moved something, after all he has done her a favor. «At least twenty athletes asked me if it was true that I was leaving them – specifies the number 1 of the Coni – in any case I would never have expected it from Andrea». Can you get up from the armchair? «Of course, but not before the match is over – concludes Malagò -, especially if you are winning. How can I miss the final?».
Zaia: “Me in Malagò’s place? Now I’m a candidate for everything”
«Now I am a candidate for everything that happens on the street. I have had candidacies in Europe, for European Commissioner, for the Presidency of the Council everywhere, in various ministries and as mayor of Venice. I was missing the list of winners with the CONI candidacy. In short, let me finish my mandate at the Veneto Region, which will be less than twelve months.” This is what the president of the Veneto Region, Luca Zaia, said, referring to the various media rumors about his future, which would indicate him at the top of CONI, at the end of his regional mandate in May 2025, which would coincide with the retirement of the current president of CONI, Giovanni Malagò. When asked if he would like a similar role, Zaia replied: “I am not expressing any judgment or desire, much less satisfaction, given that you could ask me this question about all the positions that have been attributed to me and therefore I would find it ridiculous to say anything.”