I am supposed to have no inclination, by now, to any form of emotion,
but it’s really impossible for me, expecially when presenting such
an important event taking place on Idroscalo waters, which I could
define the threshold of my home door, and where, gleaning my spare time,
I keep on practising the sport that I love so much, and that I started
when I was a young boy.
Here at Idroscalo, the team of faithful friends and I have organized
the World Championship in 1999, the European Championship in 2001
and a lot, really a lot of other important races.
Another reason for me to be emotionally involved in reminiscing people
and events, is the celebration of the 75° Anniversary of competitive
canoe in Italy, born right here, in the Idroscalo basin.
These European Championships 2008 show different aspects that add
a greater value to the event; in fact, besides the continental titles
awarding, for many athletes, the Olympic qualification is at stake.
For Paddle Ability athletes, they represent the chance to include canoe
on the list of Paralympic disciplines in London on 2012.
But here is also one further aspect we could hardly leave out: many
of the athletes here, as well as all the others in the various sport disciplines,
in a few months will be competing for Olympic medals and, even more
in this moment, they will be carrying the message of sport that, although
unexpressed through words, will universally and unmistakably recall
all human beings to respect towards others.
The competing nations are 40, that means a very high percentage
compared to the totality of countries in the world where canoe is
practised; therefore, the Organizing Committee, referring to Idroscalo Club
and presided by Francesco Re, aware as always of the big responsability
he has undertaken towards the Italian Canoe Kayak Federation and
the European Canoe Association, as well as his President Albert Woods,
has multiplied any effort to provide athletes and their Federations
all the best they deserve as fulfilment for their constant and tenacious
dedication to competitive sport.
These big events require a commitment that goes well beyond the
possibilities of a Club and of the Organizing Committee generating them,
so enriched by volunteers showing remarkable skills, experience and will;
though it’s the considerable support of the regional, provincial
and municipal Administrations, as well as the numerous sponsors,
that allows their substancial realization, otherwise impossible.
I speak for the Organizing Committee and for myself, in symbiosis with
the members of the staff, expressing the gratitude for the effort pursued
by managers, officials, and technicians of the Provincial Administration,
which owns Idroscalo, in order to make facilities more and more
f unctional and pleasant.
I am always thankful towards the Italian Paralimpic Committee, particularly
the Milanese Disabled Sports Club, presided by Antonio Marangoni,
who has been operating for many years in close collaboration
with Idroscalo Club.
I also express deep gratitude towards the athletes, technicians,
managers, officials, timekepers, mass-media operators, as I am sure,
each one in his sector, will give their best.