The 15 athletes of the Italian Air Force blue team swear allegiance to the Italian Republic
Thursday 3rd September at the “Badoni” hangar of the Museum of Vigna di Valle History, was held on swearing-in of the 15 promising enlisted athletes al Italian Air Force Sports Centre.
The ceremony took place in the presence of family members, the Commander of the Italian Air Force Sports Centre, Lieutenant Colonel Giancarlo Sergi, the President of Non-Commissioned Officers, Warrant Officers and Enlisted Personnel, First Lieutenant Paolo Liberati, and the Airport Commander, Colonel Dario Bovino. Godfather of the sworn cadets is Regimental Sergeant Major Paolo Pizzo, multi-medalled fencing athlete in the épée discipline, who in a brief welcome speech urged the new athletes: “With immense pride, welcome to the Italian Air Force Sports Centre. You are now part of a glorious team that has made the history of national sport. Here I learned the value of respect, wearing our colours and our uniform. Like you, I started young and I learned so much between training sessions and moments of reflection. Now it is your turn: honour our beloved Air Force”.
Finally, during his speech following the reading of the oath formula, the Commander Colonel Bovino he addressed everyone present“Today we shared a moment full of emotion, moreover in a unique setting. The swearing-in ceremony is the definitive seal that marks the transition from civilian to military life. A formula packed with meaning in which certain words stand out, including discipline and honour, to which I add professionalism and teamwork. Core values of those who, by choice, have decided to wear a uniform, values of the Italian Air Force, values that overlap exactly with those of sport.”. Turning to the athletes: “you are now an integral part of the great Azzurri family: let these values inspire your daily actions without ever betraying them, and you will receive all the necessary support to put your potential into practice right away”. He then concluded with an invitation to his family members:“This is your base too, come back and see us soon. We are proud of your children, they are in good hands and together we will cheer them on”.
The following athletes have sworn allegiance to the Italian Republic:
- Athletics: Federico Bonanni, Giovanni Lazzaro and Simone Valduga;
- Sprint canoe: Fabiano Palliola and Marco Tontodonati;
- Artistic Gymnastics: Yumin Abbadini and Matteo Levantesi;
- Rhythmic Gymnastics: Alexandra Naclerio and Serena Ottaviani;
Modern Pentathlon: Matteo Bovenzi;
Screenplay: Marco Paganelli, Iacopo Rizzi and Raian Adoul;
- Snowboard: Fanny Piantanida Chiesa;
Clay pigeon shooting: Niccolò Sodi.
Following a brief stay at Vigna di Valle airport for formal training, the athletes will return to their respective training bases to best prepare for upcoming competitive events.
It Italian Air Force Sports Centre it aims to represent an opportunity for all those who wish to base their personal and sporting fulfillment on the values of absolute excellence that constitute an essential heritage of the Italian Air Force. An Armed Force with deep roots in the past and firmly projected into the future.
