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Olympic champion meets Pope Benedict XVI
Lausanne / Edinburgh – 15 September 2010
The Italian Archery Federation represented by FITARCO President Mario SCARZELLA, 2004 Olympic champion Marco GALLIAZO, and FITA Secretary General and FITARCO Honorary Member Tom DIELEN, had the honour to be presented to the Pope Benedict XVI during his audience on Wednesday at the Vatican.
Photo source FITARCO: Pope Benedict XVI with FITARCO President Mario SCARZELLA, 2004 Olympic champion Marco GALLIAZO, FITA Secretary General and FITARCO Honorary Member TOM DIELEN
FITARCO was chosen by the Pope as they had won most medals in major international competitions the last years as Italian Federation.
Other Italian team members present included Mauro NESPOLI, silver medallist at the Beijing Games, Natalia VALEEVA, twice world champion and Olympic bronze medallist, Olympian Elena TONETTA, Jessica TOMASI and the most recent medallist, Gloria FILIPPI who won gold at the Youth Olympics. Also present was the Paralympic medallist Oscar DE PELLEGRIN, new world record holder and the FITARCO Secretary General Alvaro CARBONI.
Mario SCARZELLA presented a small silver bow to the Pope and informed him of the Archery World Cup Final taking in Edinburgh this week-end. Due to a coincidence in planning, the Pope will actually visit Edinburgh on Thursday and will pass next to the venue for the World Cup Final!
During the audience close to 10,000 people were present and it was broadcast live on TV.
After the audience a special visit was organised and the FITARCO delegation were also welcomed by the Vicario of the Vatican and the Secretary General of the Vatican.
The FITARCO President expressed his sincere thanks to all officials of the Vatican for this great honour.
FITARCO /
World Archery Communication
FITARCO was chosen by the Pope as they had won most medals in major international competitions the last years as Italian Federation.
Other Italian team members present included Mauro NESPOLI, silver medallist at the Beijing Games, Natalia VALEEVA, twice world champion and Olympic bronze medallist, Olympian Elena TONETTA, Jessica TOMASI and the most recent medallist, Gloria FILIPPI who won gold at the Youth Olympics. Also present was the Paralympic medallist Oscar DE PELLEGRIN, new world record holder and the FITARCO Secretary General Alvaro CARBONI.
Mario SCARZELLA presented a small silver bow to the Pope and informed him of the Archery World Cup Final taking in Edinburgh this week-end. Due to a coincidence in planning, the Pope will actually visit Edinburgh on Thursday and will pass next to the venue for the World Cup Final!
During the audience close to 10,000 people were present and it was broadcast live on TV.
After the audience a special visit was organised and the FITARCO delegation were also welcomed by the Vicario of the Vatican and the Secretary General of the Vatican.
The FITARCO President expressed his sincere thanks to all officials of the Vatican for this great honour.
FITARCO /
World Archery Communication
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