«The first competition is with oneself and with one’s own limits to overcome oneself, to improve oneself, and then there is the competition with the other participants. We hope there will be many medals but what is important is the way in which you participate, with commitment, giving your all, with loyalty, with respect for others, it is a competition that gives the world a show of extraordinary value, of coexistence, of friendship, of humanity, of seriousness.” President Sergio Mattarella said this while meeting Italian athletes at the Olympic Village in Milan.
«It’s a great pleasure to meet you, we’re here, you’re about to begin. Naturally, on the eve of the opening, I cannot help but remember that for all of you who are here, this is already a great success. Having been selected, being in the team, taking part in the Olympics is already an extremely important achievement, an authentic, important success” Mattarella reminded the athletes. «I also assume that you are not satisfied with this, that you will face the competitions with the intention of having other results, other further successes but it should never be forgotten that participation is the first important goal. Then, of course, the competition with male and female athletes from all over the world will be exciting, it will also be stimulating” he added.
«I believe that each of you remembers that the first competition is with yourself and with your own limits to overcome yourself, to improve yourself, and then there is the competition with the other participants. We hope that there will be many medals, of course, President Buonfiglio hopes so strongly, everyone in Italy hopes so. But what is important is the way in which you will participate, as has always happened by our athletes in the Olympics, with commitment, giving your all, with loyalty, with respect for others, competition that gives the world a spectacle of extraordinary value, of coexistence, of friendship, of humanity, of seriousness.”
«I wish you this. Be aware of what you are about to do, you are, and I wish you the best results. The first result is to participate with everyone else, with the value of sport which sends a message of peace and serenity to the world. Thank you for your commitment, thank you in advance because you certainly honor the tricolour, our flag and our colours. Thank you and good luck”, he concluded before continuing the visit to the Village.