«Following the statements made by the Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi, and the controversy that arose in the press this afternoon, I am resigning as Head of the National Team delegation».
Thus Diana Bianchedi announces that she is leaving the post with Italy that was given to her last August.
"This decision was made out of the great respect I have for CONI," the former fencing champion explained, "its Board, the FIGC, and sports institutions, as demonstrated by my career as an athlete and manager. I have always acted with integrity and integrity, respecting the rules and individuals, for the good of sport: values that are unfairly called into question today. Furthermore, I choose to step back for what the blue jersey represents, primarily to protect the team from unnecessary controversy. I found the team to be united, motivated, and with great professionals, from the coach to the players and the entire staff. I thank them for the way they welcomed me and for the emotions they made me experience, even in just a few days. Let's remember," Bianchedi concluded, "that sport is, and must be, first and foremost this. Let's cheer for these guys; they deserve it."
Abodi criticized Bianchedi and fellow vice president Marco Di Paola for expressing a negative opinion on the proposal to appoint a commissioner to the Italian Weights Federation (FederPesi) put forward by CONI president Luciano Buonfiglio, only to later back it during the vote: "The deputy vice president and the vice president have the right and duty to express an opinion, but if it's still against them, they should make a choice, because that role was entrusted to them within a relationship of trust . It's sobering that two such representative figures, entrusted with a leading role on trust, are unable to demonstrate this trust, to demonstrate it consistently. These are choices they will make internally, but normally, relationships like this don't last long in their role and function."
(Unioneonline)
