The Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra hosted the event organised by the Embassy of Italy in Australia titled ‘Waiting for the Giro d’Italia,’ and dedicated to the presentation of its 107th edition that will start on 4 May from the historic Venaria Reale in Turin.
As pointed out by Ambassador Paolo Crudele in his opening speech: ‘The Giro d’Italia, Ambassador of Sport Diplomacy, embodies a tradition that goes far beyond mere competition. It represents a platform of worldwide visibility for the vibrant culture, innovation and history of our country. The Giro not only showcases Italy’s beautiful landscapes and historic sites, but is also a symbol of its spirit and resilience. It is a witness to Italy’s ability to embrace change while preserving an unparalleled heritage of art and culture.”
Sponsored by Enel Green Power and Mapei, and with the collaboration of ENIT and ICE, the event attracted great interest among the Australian public. In his greeting, the CEO of the Australian Sports Commission, Kieren Perkins, a former swimmer and multiple world and Olympic medallist, recalled the special bond between Australia and Italy in the field of sport and the strategic role played by the Australian Institute of Sport centre in Gavirate in the province of Varese for the training of Australian athletes.
During the event, Michele Napoli of RCS Sports and Events illustrated the numbers, as well as the global outreach of the 2023 edition of the Giro, outlining the highlights of the 2024 edition. Afterwards, Gracie Elvin (former professional cyclist and popular sports commentator for Australian TV), Matteo Bono (former professional cyclist with 5 completed Giro) and Paolo Menaspà (Chief Science Officer of the Australian Sports Commission) led a round table discussion focused on the pink race. The discussion was then joined by Erin Macdonald, a tour guide from the Maglia Nera Cycling Tours company, who discussed important aspects of cycling tourism in Italy.
All stages of the Giro d’Italia 2024 will be broadcast free-to-air in Australia by broadcaster SBS.
