Milan, the President of the Republic opens the fencing World Championships at the Allianz MiCo

MILAN. The first time of a President of the Republic ai Fencing World Championships. Sergio Mattarella did not want to miss the opening ceremony of the world championship, which this evening awards the first medals on the platforms of the Allianz MiCo.

A further reason for pride as a Palermitan for the Head of State is that of being able to then leave the platform for the final of the women’s epee, which sees a fellow countryman engaged as Alberta Santucciofrom Catania, who had beaten the other blue in the afternoon semi-final, Mara Navarria (bronze).

Traffic paralyzed for a few minutes due to the arrival of Mattarella, which took place around 17.30, with some athletes who were unable to access the arena to attend the ceremony until the President of the Republic reached his position.

After receiving the applause of the packed arena and being welcomed by the authorities including the president of the Milan 2023 World Cup Organizing Committee Mark Fichera and the Minister of Sport Andrea Aboditook a seat in the stands to watch the show, presented by the bi-Olympic Elisa DiFrancisca.

The president of Coni spoke to pay homage to the Head of State Giovanni Malagò: «It is the eighth time that Italy hosts the World Fencing Championships, but the first in the presence of our President of the Republic and for this we are infinitely grateful».

At the end of the artistic show, at 18.16 President Mattarella pronounced the canonical sentence: «I declare the Milan 2023 Fencing World Championships open». Now it’s up to the blue fencers to make Mameli’s anthem play again.