In Taranto, an important contribution and full support from the Italian Air Force on the themes of sport, social inclusion and the enhancement of the local area
Sunday 29 October the Air Force Volunteers School. (SVAM) hosted the “World Triathlon Para Cup Taranto 2023”, high-profile sports event valid for qualification for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Organised by the Italian Triathlon Federation with the collaboration and support of the Municipality of Taranto, the Italian Paralympic Committee and the Apulia Region, the event saw 80 para-athletes from 26 different nations compete along a 750-metre swimming course, a 20-kilometre cycling or handbike segment, and finally a 5-kilometre running or wheelchair section the whole thing drawn in the beautiful and evocative setting of the SVAM which, after having been chosen for its particular layout and its view over the second inlet of the Mar Piccolo, provided maximum logistical support and the utmost availability, highlighting not only its support and constant synergy with local institutions, but above all a careful and concrete sensitivity towards the issues of sport and social inclusion.
The event proved to be a great celebration of sport and allowed the Italian national team to win as many as 5 medals, including one gold, two silvers and two bronzes won by the Italian athletes, who were warmly welcomed by their supporters and a representation of Carabineros of the 27th Icadio II Course belonging to the 2nd intake of 2023 for Initial Fixed-Term Volunteers (VFI).
At the end of the day, Colonel Alessandro Del Buono, Commanding Officer of the SVAM, expressing the full satisfaction of the Armed Force and thanking all those who made the event possible, wished to highlight the importance of sport as a tool for bringing people together and for integration, capable of breaking down every physical and ideological barrier, and lingering on the role of the Volunteers Training School, he added: “As a training institution, we are increasingly aware of the need to train excellent soldiers but above all model citizens [...] starting also from sporting themes“. He then pointed out“How essential it is to guarantee equal dignity and equal opportunities in every sphere, and for this reason we warmly welcomed the invitation to host such an event at the SVAM, a unique opportunity for our airmen for whom it was particularly moving and educational to be able to admire these champions, who with their commitment and determination represent an example for society”.
The SVAM is the only national training and instruction centre that provides basic military and moral training for personnel destined to serve in the Air Force, as well as their specific professional instruction. The School reports to the A.M. Schools Command/3rd Air Region, one of the three Top Commands of the Armed Force, which is responsible for the selection, recruitment, military, cultural and professional training of Air Force personnel and flight training (at an international level), through the study and adoption of innovative teaching and training methodologies focused on the learner and informed by innovation, creativity, optimisation of human and material resources, environmental sustainability, and constant engagement with institutions and the local area in service to the community.
