Italian Rowers Rewarded by C.O.N.I.

Six rowers were recognised by the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) at the annual honour award ceremony held Wednesday in Rome.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi officiated the evening and oversaw the distribution of the “Golden Necklace for Sporting Merit” and the “Diploma of Honour” awards for the 1999 and 2000 seasons.

The Golden Necklace is the highest award in Italian sport and can only be attributed once to an athlete, the one who has already received it can be awarded a Diploma of Honour.

For the sport of rowing, 1999 World Champion in the lightweight pair Michelangelo Crispi received the 1999 Golden Necklace, while his partner Leonardo Pettinari, who had already received the Golden Necklace in 1995, was awarded the 1999 Diploma of Honour.

The four rowers that made up the Sydney gold medal winning men’s quad were also honoured. Simone Raineri received the 2000 Golden Necklace while his three crewmates, Agostino Abbagnale, Rossano Galtarossa and Alessio Sartori who are all already recipients of the Golden Necklace, were awarded the 2000 Diploma of Honour.

Over 60 athletes representing more than 20 sports were rewarded during the ceremony.