Mauro NESPOLI named “European Personality of 2012” in Italy

In front of the City Hall and statue of emperor Marcus Aurelius    The ceremony took place in the City Hall of Rome on the Capitoline Hill, the citadel of the earliest Romans.? It was held by the European Centre for Turism with the support of the City and Province of Rome.   Mauro NESPOLI, already a team silver medallist at the Beijing Olympic Games at age 20, was a member of the Italian team that won the gold medal at the London Olympic Games. The 25-year-old archer, with teammates Marco GALIAZZO and Michele FRANGILLI, defeated the United States by the smallest margin in the gold medal final. It was Italy’s first ever team gold medal in Olympic archery history.   Mauro NESPOLI received the “European Personality Award” over participants from the world of sport, culture and entertainment. Also awarded were the fencers Luigi SAMELE (Olympic bronze medallist in men’s team sabre) and Giovanni SIROVICH. The biggest applause was for the Olympic heroes.   Mauro NESPOLI expressed special satisfaction in receiving the award: “The Capitoline Hill is a fascinating place, I had never visited it before and I’m very happy to have been honoured in a site of such historic and symbolic importance. For us athletes, it is a privilege and a great accomplishment to represent Italy all over the world wearing the national colors. We are pleased that our success is also receiving attention on the European scale, as demonstrated by this award.”   “The emotions of London are still well alive in my memory and it’s nice to receive recognitions for what we have done”, added the Olympic champion. “But we are looking ahead to the future. We want to be present in Rio”.    FITARCO Edited by World Archery Communication