FIRST ITALIAN SPORTS DAY IN THE UNITED STATES. INITIATIVES PROMOTED BY THE EMBASSY OF ITALY IN WASHINGTON.

Washington, DC (September 7, 2024) – As part of the first-ever Italian Sports Day in the World promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Embassy of Italy in Washington and the network of Italian consulates in the United States will launch a series of initiatives throughout the United States with the goal of promoting Italian sports and their values.

In this context, the Embassy of Italy in Washington intends to promote several initiatives dedicated to cycling and Italy’s cycling tradition.

Today, Saturday, September 7th, a group of about 40 diplomats and officials from the Embassy, along with representatives of the Italian community in Washington, carried the Italian flag through the streets of the American capital by participating in the eighth annual DC Bike Ride, a major Washington sporting event.

On Tuesday, September 10th, the Ambassador of Italy to the United States, Mariangela Zappia, will host the event The Giro d’Italia and the endless discovery of Italy at the Embassy, with the participation of Olympic champion Paolo Bettini and, via video conference, the most recent winner of the Giro d’Italia, Elisa Longo Borghini. The event will also provide an opportunity to introduce the American public to the Giro d’Italia, an iconic sporting event increasingly recognized worldwide, which serves as an extraordinary ambassador of Italy and the richness of its landscapes.

Next week, the Embassy, in collaboration with RCS Sport – Giro d’Italia, Castelli Cycling, and BKool, will launch a social media contest aimed at the American public, offering a chance to win a trip to Italy to attend the Giro d’Italia and receive Giro-themed merchandise.

The first-ever Italian Sports Day in the United States is an example of sports diplomacy, a key element of the Italian Government’s strategy to promote Italy around the world.