ROME — An 85-year-old former member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) could play a pivotal role in the heated election to determine the new president of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), an essential position for organizing the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Games. Franco Carraro, a seasoned leader in the sports administration arena, is viewed as a conciliator between top contenders Luciano Buonfiglio and Luca Pancalli, as voting unfolds on Thursday.
Outgoing CONI president Giovanni Malagò is endorsing Buonfiglio, who currently leads the Italian Canoe and Kayak Federation. Meanwhile, the Italian Sports Minister Andrea Abodi is backing Pancalli, president of the Italian Paralympics Committee. Both Buonfiglio and Pancalli claim to have the necessary 41 votes to secure a win in the initial voting round. Given this tight contest, the election may require additional rounds, during which Carraro’s influence could be crucial in determining the outcome.
Carraro, despite being nominated as a neutral candidate, required special approval to run due to his previous three terms as CONI president from 1978 to 1987. The electoral commission permitted his candidacy, considering he served before the imposition of the current three-term limit for presidents. A former member of the International Olympic Committee from 1982 until 2019, Carraro gained honorary status in 2020.
His vast career, spanning seven decades, earned Carraro the nickname “Presidentissimo.” He has held leadership roles within the Italian soccer federation on several occasions, served as the mayor of Rome, and even completed a term as an Italian senator. His journey in sports administration began in 1962 as president of the Italian Waterski Federation.
“Time passes for everyone,” remarked Abodi regarding Carraro’s nomination.
However, the focus remains on the primary candidates: the 74-year-old Buonfiglio, who competed in canoeing at the 1976 Montreal Olympics and has helmed Italy’s canoe and kayak federation since 2005; and 61-year-old Pancalli, who has led Italy’s Paralympics committee for nearly 25 years. High-profile figures like Paolo Barelli and Angelo Binaghi, who respectively preside over the Italian swimming and tennis federations, are supporting Pancalli, demonstrating opposition to Malagò.
Malagò, who has served as president for 12 years across three terms, failed in his attempt to secure a special extension to continue in his role through the Milan-Cortina Olympic and Paralympic Games. Nevertheless, he will remain at the helm of the Milan-Cortina organizing committee and continues as an IOC member.
A pool of 80 potential voters is involved, with a majority of 41 votes needed to win in the first round. In subsequent rounds, a straightforward majority among present voters is necessary, while the fourth round relies solely on whichever candidate garners the most votes. Alongside Carraro, Buonfiglio, and Pancalli, five other candidates are in the race, though none are anticipated to gain considerable support, and notably, none of the candidates are women.
CONI’s role extends beyond this election, with oversight responsibilities over all sports in Italy. The nation is slated to host several prominent events, including the America’s Cup sailing competition in Naples in 2027, the Winter Youth Olympics in northern Italy in 2028, and a co-hosting role with Turkey for the 2032 European Soccer Championship.