The middle-distance and racewalking athletes took advantage of Sicily's mild climate to prepare for the upcoming competitive season. In this second technical training camp, the racewalkers, who were already present in the November session, were joined by the middle-distance athletes, who were overseen by the technical director of the A.M. Sports Centre, Sergeant Major Carmelo La Cava. A total of ten racewalking athletes took part in this “technical camp”: Leading Airman Mirko Dolci, Leading Airman Daniele Paris, First Airman Fortunato D’Onofrio and First Airman Federica Ferraro, accompanied by Senior Leading Airman Dario Privitera, technical head of the sector, and his assistant, Sergeant Alessandro Garozzo. For the middle-distance events, First Airman Davis Licciardi, First Airman Andrea Scoleri, Senior Airman Fabiano Carozza, Senior Airman Michele Fontana, Senior Airman Riccardo Passeri and Senior Airman Giuseppe Gerratana arrived in Syracuse. The athletes benefited from the physiotherapeutic assistance of Senior First Airman Lorenzo Cannata. From 12th November, the racewalking group was also joined by Senior Financier Giorgio Rubino, a top athlete of the Italian national racewalking team, currently with the “Fiamme Gialle” sports group, who, in agreement with his sports group, decided to move to Syracuse to be trained by Italian Air Force coach Dario Privitera, who, in close contact with coach Sandro Damilano, will try to restore the athlete to the peak physical condition that allowed him to achieve excellent results at world level.
“The presence of an athlete of the value and calibre of Giorgio Rubino is certainly a great incentive for our athletes – stated Leading Airman Privitera – indeed, they will have the opportunity to train with an internationally valued athlete, who can represent an important point of reference for understanding their true level of preparation”The choice of Syracuse stems from the experience gained over the past two years by the technical staff of the A.M. Sports Centre, led by Lieutenant Colonel Antonio D’Urso, who, through a series of training camps, verified that the Sicilian city offers the ideal climatic conditions during the autumn and winter periods to conduct athletic preparation before the start of the competitive season. All athletes were hosted by the Air Force Detachment, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Paolo Tredici, which confirms its position as an essential training venue, by virtue of its logistical support capabilities that allow the Air Force General Staff to schedule activities using the Armed Force's internal resources, achieving significant cost containment.
The presence of top-class athletes within the Italian Air Force is intended to bring the institution closer to civil society, promoting its image and, above all, supporting national sport. The Armed Forces, in fact, in collaboration with CONI and the relevant National Sports Federations, contribute to Italy’s sporting successes, as demonstrated at the recent London Olympics, during which athletes in uniform won 50% of the medals secured by the Italian team. In particular, the athletes from the Italian Air Force Sports Centre won 14 medals – comprising 5 gold, 1 silver and 8 bronze – establishing themselves as the leading sports club made up of uniformed personnel.
