FILE - In this May 8, 2007 file photo, Giro d'Italia champion Ivan Basso attends a news conference the day after admitting involvement in a Spanish doping scandal, Milan, Italy. Seven years after Spanish investigators uncovered one of cycling's most sophisticated and widespread doping rings, some of its central figures will stand trial on Monday, Jan. 28, 2013 in the Operation Puerto case. (AP Photo/Alberto Pellaschiar, File)
Giovanni Malago elected as new CONI president
Published: 10:46:27 AM, Tue 19 February 2013 UTC
ROME (AP) — Giovanni Malago is the new president of the Italian Olympic Committee, replacing Giovanni Petrucci.
Malago, organizer of the 2009 swimming world championships in Rome and president of the prestigious Canottieri Aniene club, has been confirmed as CONI's new chief following the elections on Tuesday.
A tearful Malago says, "In sport it's difficult to win, but also not to win. I consider this role the most important in our country, I will do everything to honor it."
The 53-year-old Malago beat CONI secretary general Raffaele Pagnozzi and Simone Gambino, president of the Italian cricket federation.
Petrucci left in September, after 14 years and four terms in charge of CONI.
Tags:
italian olympic committee, florence, italy, milan, coni, italian cricket federation, simone gambino, giovanni malago, giovanni petrucci, united states, olympic games, culture_politics, france, rome, new coni president, beat coni secretary, prestigious canottieri aniene, swimming world championships, general raffaele pagnozzi, new president, tearful malago, new chief, italian national olympic committee
