Photo:VCG

Ruggero Alcantarini, the President of the Italian National Fair Play Commission,  addressed the European Fair Play Commission delegation on the thorny issue of the "diplomatic boycott" announced by the United States and other countries against the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing. 

During the meeting of representatives from the 24 member states, Alcantarini condemned the boycott of the 24th Winter Olympic Games in Beijing and urged for respect to the principles and values of sports and the Olympic Games.

Alcantarini said that "after the tragedy of having to cancel three editions of the Summer Olympic Games during the two world wars and two boycotts in the Cold War, it is now unacceptable that the situation is repeated with the announcement of the cancellation of diplomatic delegations to the next Winter Games in Beijing 2022. In this regard, the Italian National Fair Play Committee (INFPC), in line with the National Olympic Committee and the International Olympic Committee, urge institutions and governments to be respectful of the Olympic spirit and remain absolutely independent of political and other influences. The pretext of interventions using the media spotlight of the Games, with the same tools for purposes that have nothing to do with the universal sharing of the pax olimpica. Moreover, in a difficult time for the health of humanity and the planet, this must be stigmatized and rejected. 

"At a time when maximum cohesion is needed to face the ethical transition of the community, through sports that promote integration and inclusion, it is unthinkable that we indulge in feelings and actions that go in the opposite direction. Therefore, the INFPC invites the Congress of the European Fair Play Movement to evaluate the situation and to express itself according to its role as guarantor of the principles of autonomy, which inspire sports and Olympism," Alcantarini said.

Ruggero Alcantarini, a man who has devoted his life to sports, is the President of the Commission of the 19 associations of the Italian National Olympic Committee, founder of the International Sports and Culture Association, Vice-President, Honorary Life Member and Member of the Executive Committee of the European Fair Play Movement.

He participated in the 17th Olympic Games in 1960 as a journalist and was the manager of the 1972 Munich Olympics, head of the marathon at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Additionally, he was responsible for the World Athletics Championships, among other international events. He is also a journalist and columnist, editor-in-chief and program director.

Ruggero Alcantarini is an honorary member of the ISCA (International Sports and Cultural Association), Secretary General of the IACS - Italian Association of Culture and Sport, and has been honored as an official Knight and Commander of Merit of the Italian Republic for his contribution in the fields of sport, culture.