English
Italy was welcomed this morning, during the last day of the welcome ceremonies for the delegations participating in the 30th Summer Universiade, which took place at the “Flag Plaza” in Stazione Marittima (Maritime Station). The Italian colours have been added to the flags of the Countries which have already received the greetings of the Organising Committee. Welcoming the delegations, Manuela Di Centa, ‘mayor’ of the Athletes’ Village of Naples, set up on Msc and Costa cruise ships. Italy joined the parade together with Congo, Somalia, Sri Lanka and Macedonia. The Ceremony began with the FISU anthem; then, a moment of joy with the dancers of ‘Mart Dance’ Neapolitan dancing school, who performed on the notes of ‘Glory’, the official song of Universiade Napoli 2019. Afterwards, the Heads of Delegations have reached the stage for an exchange of gifts with the Organising Committee.
This Ceremony marks the delegations’ official participation in the Event, representing the moment when boys and girls from all around the world, accompanied by delegates and institutional authorities of their Countries, join the Universiade. “The Italian team – said Gianni Ippolito, Head of the Italian Delegation- is composed by 415 people, with 303 athletes. We are here to compete in all the 18 sports disciplines of the Universiade, in both team and individual competitions.
For us, the Universiade has already started: we debuted yesterday with women and men’s football teams, with water polo and diving competitions. The enthusiasm of our young athletes is proof of the emotion felt by those who have already joined the Universiade in the past and by those who are living a new experience for the first time.
We are used to seeing Universiade editions take place in Eastern European Countries or in Asia, but now we are finally in Italy, in Naples: the passion you can feel here is something special. And having an Athletes’ Village on cruise ships is just amazing”. President of CUSI Lorenzo Lentini also wished to welcome the Italian delegation.