The case of the forgotten Olympians, which emerged in an interview with Sports Predication, has become political. The League and the Ministry of Sport are demanding explanations from the Milano-Cortina Foundation and CONI.

The case of the forgotten Olympians, which exploded thanks to an interview with Silvio Fauner, gold medalist at the 1994 Lillehammer Games, on Sports Predication, has also scandalized the government. In a statement, the League harshly attacked the choices made by the Milano Cortina Foundation and CONI: “The choice of torchbearers, which did not include the overall involvement of sports legends, is incomprehensible and disconcerting. This is also because it was not in any way agreed upon with Matteo Salvini’s ministry, which has done more than anyone else to make the Games happen. Moreover, in addition to his role as a member of the government, Salvini also strongly supported Milano-Cortina as party leader, as evidenced by the exceptional efforts of local administrators, starting with the regional presidents. We hope that a solution will be found as soon as possible.”

The Minister for Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi, says he is taken aback: “In light of what has emerged, I have already asked Milano Cortina and CONI for information to understand what the selection criteria were. In principle, it is clear that sports legends, those who have made history, should be held in the highest regard. I too was a little taken aback, objectively speaking, because in the face of such a wonderful phenomenon as the torch relay involving 10,001 torchbearers, I believe that the audience of Olympians should have been at the forefront, precisely because of the testimony they have given in sporting activities and which many continue to give generously by traveling around Italy, visiting schools and events to bear witness to the values of sport. This is the Torch Tour, which represents the values of the Olympic Flame that people must put into practice with words but above all with deeds. So I reserve the right to have all the information before expressing an opinion.”