The President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola was at the Bocconi University in Milan, where she participated in an event ahead of the Winter Olympics and Paralympics being held in Italy next year.
Rector, President of the Lombardy Region, President of the Communal Council of Milan, President of the Milan-Cortina Foundation, President of the Italian National Olympic Committee, President of the Italian Paralympic Committee, Colleagues, Members of the European Parliament, Olympians, Paralympians, Sporting ambassadors, Dear friends, I would like to thank the Rector for hosting this important event in a place where talent, dedication and innovation come together - values that truly reflect the spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Growing up, passion and enthusiasm for sport was part of life. I loved running when I was younger - and I also thought I was pretty good at it - until I started running for other things and realised, I was perhaps, slightly better at that. Football is another passion of mine. With four boys at home, I have little choice. So a year ago, like many of you, I also tuned in whenever I could to watch the Olympic games in Paris. That was the personification of hard work, excellence, and beating impossible odds. Not just when athletes stood on podiums or won medals. But in every moment of struggle and effort. The times they fell and got back up. Each time they missed and tried again. That is where greatness lives. And that is what the Olympic Games teach us. They show us the importance of hard work and perseverance - the unrelenting determination to do something better. To be the best we can be. That’s a motto for life if ever there was one. It’s the “fino alla fine” attitude I try to instil in my children towards anything they do. The motto of never ever give up. That’s the mantra of the people who built our Europe. Who never gave in, who kept pushing. Two weeks ago, the European Parliament laid out its vision for the European Sport Model - a strategic framework that goes beyond competition to embrace the very culture of sport in Europe. A model built on inclusion, diversity, equality, transparency and integrity, and that underscores the importance of ethical and respectful sporting practices. It is a commitment to ensuring that everyone has access sport, and that we stand united against discrimination, violence and harassment in all their forms. In that spirit, I strongly condemn the unjustifiable criminal act on Pistoia Basket 2000’s bus earlier this week which led to the death of Raffaele Marianella. I extend my sympathy to her family, the society and the City of Pistoia. Our commitment to an accessible European Sport Model also means opening doors to everyone who wishes to take part in sport - regardless of ability, age or social background. It means ensuring that every child and young person has access to proper sports facilities, quality physical education programmes, and opportunities to grow through sport. Sport is about unity, about identity and culture - those must support it at a local and community level. And I want you to know that you can count on the European Parliament to push for strong investments in sport. And we’ll do this together - through close dialogue among EU institutions, Member States and sporting communities across Europe. Because teamwork is not just a sporting principle: it is at the core of our European Union, and it underpins everything we do. Since the start of my term as President of the European Parliament, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting inspiring athletes from all walks of sport: Olympic female athletes preparing to compete in the Olympic Games, incredible Italian champions at the Polytechnic University, participants on Special Olympics European Union Day, and even the Inter delegation ahead of their Champions League match—whose visit, apparently, brought them luck. Because the athletes of Italy are the athletes of Europe. When the Italian women's volleyball team took gold, we all cheered. When the Italian artistic gymnastics team brought home silver, we cheered. Just as we cheered Bebe Vio and all the other champions. This is the spirit of Europe. And dear friends, what better place to affirm that than here. After 20 years, the Winter Olympics and Paralympics games are coming back to Italy. To Europe. And for the first time ever, they will be co-hosted by two cities - Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, with competitions that will also take place in other regions. Thank you for showcasing the best of Italy and the best of Europe. Congratulations to everyone who made this possible, everyone here and to the many people who worked behind the scenes. I can only imagine all the work that has gone into this. Yours is a perfect example of what teamwork can achieve. I cannot conclude my speech today without paying tribute to the many Italian sporting ambassadors - Olympians and Paralympians - represented here today: · Diana Bianchedi, professional fencer and two-time Olympic foil team champion; · Valentina Marchei, professional figure skater and two-time Olympian; and · Giulia Ghiretti, three-time paralympic swimming medallist. What you women do is nothing short of extraordinary. You make Italy proud. You make Europe proud. Remember: that when you step into the game you represent more than just a flag. You carry with you the values that define what it means to be Italian - what it means to be European. You embody peace, respect and fair play - and you show the world that even in fierce competition, respect can prevail. You are not only our sporting ambassadors - you are our peace ambassadors. And in today’s world, it is what is needed. Now, more than ever. Good luck everyone.
You can read the President's speech in Italian here.