Madam President of the International Olympic Committee,
Heads of State and Government,
Distinguished Participants,
Italy is honoured to host the XXV edition of the Winter Olympic Games.
It is a great pleasure to address those who are responsible for the sports dimension of international life, a dimension that enshrines values of cooperation and promotes global events inspired by loyalty in relations among peoples and individuals.
This bears witness to the unique nature of the human family and nurtures the hope that the Olympic values may become a tangible source of inspiration in international life, that they be translated into practice and not merely admired.
As is known, the General Assembly of the United Nations, in approving the Olympic truce, has urged its member States to cooperate with the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee in order to promote peace and human understanding, dialogue, tolerance, reconciliation.
Such is the significance of the Olympic motto: “Citius, altius, fortius, communiter”, i.e. Faster, Higher, Stronger - Together. This will be embodied by the athletes during the Games, united by their talent, commitment, sacrifices and ongoing self-improvement.
Those words are not merely a sports manifesto: they should be – they are – a manifesto which ought to shape relations among all the governments of the world.
This is what all peoples hope for and expect, as was shown by the enthusiasm with which the Olympic Flame was welcomed in Italy, in its journey along roads, squares, towns and villages.
Italy extends a warm welcome to the athletes coming from so many countries to these Games, marked by the largest participation of female athletes ever.
Sport is an expression of freedom. The freedom to measure oneself against one’s own limits, to test oneself, to compete with others on the basis of shared values and rules. This is a great lesson for all of us.
Let us wish to all the athletes that they may shine and excel in the Olympic Games.
Welcome to Italy!
