Italy announces Olympic team for Paris

Italy have announced the team for the Olympic Games in Paris. The technical management has already made the first detailed selections in a statement. “In order to allow the best preparation for the XXXIII Olympic Games, considering the results achieved, the qualification path taken up to the current moment, and the most recent update of the World Olympic List, the National Technical Direction has named a preliminary roster of athletes who will compose the Olympic Team for Paris 2024.”

On June 23rd, the Olympic qualification period will conclude, and on June 25th, with the publication of the world ranking, the IJF will confirm in writing to the National Olympic Committees the obtained quota places. By July 2nd, the NOCs will confirm the utilization of the allocated places. On July 3rd, the IJF will reallocate unused places.

However, regardless of the deadlines and the results that can still be achieved by June 23rd,

The following athletes are nominated:

U48kg: Assunta Scutto

U52kg: Odette Giuffrida

U57kg: Veronica Toniolo

U78kg: Alice Bellandi

U73kg: Manuel Lombardo

U90kg: Christian Parlati

All six athletes are ranked in the current IJF top 15. The first athlete in the 20 twenty in a ubique weight category is Antonio Esposito (U81kg) accompanied by Asya Tavano (+78kg), Elios Manzi and Matteo Piras are in a heavy battle for a position U66kg with a severe gap to Fabio Basile. Gennaro PIrelli is aiming for a U100kg nomination and Martina Esposito is ranked 24th U70kg. 

The nomination of these athletes to the Olympic Team is final, regardless of any variations that may occur in the Olympic Ranking List, even to the advantage of other Italian athletes.

For the nominated roster, an individualised path will be shortly discussed to ensure optimal approach to the Olympic Competition and, if necessary, to improve the positioning of the individual athlete in the Olympic Ranking by category.

It is noted that participation in the World Judo Tour competitions in the same categories is not precluded to other athletes, particularly those who qualify directly behind the nominated athletes. For these athletes, seasonal objectives will be shortly defined, and a specific path will be indicated to keep them within the Olympic quota.

Italy have won Olympic bronze medals in 2021 in Tokyo U52kg by Odette Giuffrida and U63kg by Maria Centracchio. In 2016 Giuffrida took silver in Rio and there was Olympic gold for Fabio Basile.