World No.1 Micheli (ITA) leads delegation of champions to meet Italian President

A 2023 season in which the pentathletes of Italy raised their flag across the world has received a Presidential seal of approval. 

Italian President Sergio Mattarella welcomed a delegation of some of the brightest talents and biggest names from the country’s booming Modern Pentathlon scene to Quirinal Palace, his official residence in Rome in late November.

Two-time world champion and world No.1 Elena Micheli (ITA) led the delegation after a truly memorable year for Italian pentathletes and their national federation, the FIPM. 

Alongside Micheli was her close friend and world No.2 Alice Sotero (ITA) – both have already already punched their tickets to next summer’s Olympic Games in Paris. Another Azzurri star with a quota place in the bag thanks to being crowed European champion, Giorgio Malan was also part of the group with Alessandra Frezza, who won team world title in Bath (GBR) in August alongside Micheli and Sotero. 

FIPM President Fabrizio Bittner and Technical Director Andrea Valentini were also present along with Giovanni Malago, President of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI).

President Mattarella paid tribute to the success of the group, saying: “Alongside this extraordinary heritage of such important value – medals and successes – it was important that you have induced many young people to engage in sport,” he said. “And this is a great achievement, for which the gratitude towards you grows.”

Micheli (ITA) said: “Hearing the national anthem after bringing the Tricolore [flag] to the highest step of the podium was nothing short of exciting. I am proud and honoured, for our Modern Pentathlon Federation and for the Italian Olympic movement.”

CONI President Malago added: “This is the Italy that wins. This is Italy that transmits positive messages, this is Italy that honours our flag and makes our anthem sound around the world.”

FIPM President Bittner said: “2023 was an incredible year for the Italian pentathlon. We have achieved great success at European and world level with Giorgio Malan, Elena Micheli, Alice Sotero and Alessandra Frezza. These images will remain indelible in our memory.”