By Anna Italia
Covering the 2008 Summer Olympics Game in Beijing  from an Italian Perspective


What an honor for our Italian athletes!  Italy President Giorgio Napolitano welcomed today at 6 p.m. the Italian Olympic National Team at "Il Quirinale," to wish them good luck in the 2008 Summer Olympics Games in Beijing taking place from August 8 to August 24, 2008.  Napolitano gave the classical "in bocca al lupo," to the Athletes which means giving them good luck.  I watched the coverage in the Italian News TG.

Along with the Athletes were the President of the Italian National Olympic Committee Giovanni Petrucci and General Secretary Raffaele Pagnozzi.  Wow, it is just amazing, one more month and we are already feeling the emotion for our Azzurrini.

                                  
        July 7, Quirinale (Roma) -  Italy President Giorgio Napolitano making his best wishes to World Champion Canoer Antonio Rossi chosen to carry the Italian Flag at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics Games.
                                      
A motivated 39-years old Rossi had already participated in 4 Olympic Games winning five medals: 3 gold!  

''I am very honored to have been chosen as our flag bearer. I will be the standard bearer of a very strong team which is sure to give us all a lot of excitement.  'We are all aiming high and I, personally, hope to get a nice medal,''' Rossi said after lbeing selected by the CONI as Italy flag bearer. 

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Napolitano said that "the participation in the Summer Olympics represents the best contribution that the Sports community could give to the cause of human rights." 

It was funny how Napolitano avoided using the word "defeat / sconfitta" for superstition.  Napolitano said, "I don't doubt about your right to a "non victory," I prefer not to use the other word.  I trust in your success. It depends on your strengths, your mind, your heart.  We will be next to you."

The Italian Football Olympic National Team had their first medical test in the morning at the Centro di Medicina dello Sport. Medical tests will be completed tomorrow Tuesday, July 8, 2008.  The first official training is scheduled for Wednesday, July 9 in Coverciano, Firenze.



A proud "Antonio Rossi" official flag bearer, il porta bandiere, is all smile and we certainly wish him and the entire Olympic National team the best. 


  Come on guys!   Forza... we can do it.  Just like Napolitano, we, from Italian Soccer Serie A will be next to you all the time with our reports and comments.  In bocca al lupo... creppi!




Related Stories:

- Italian National Olympic Team Schedule Sunday, July 6 to Saturday, July 26, 2008

- Official 22 Called Up Players for the 2008 Summer Olympics Games in Beijing by Coach Pierluigi Casiraghi