Giovanni Malago Appointed New Italian Olympic Committee President

Giovanni Malago has been elected the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) president after securing a majority of votes in the election.

He edged out Raffaele Pagnozzi to take the presidency by five votes winning 40 -35 at the national council elections in the CONI headquarters today. He is the organization’s 15th president.

Malago is a Rome luxury car businessman and also the head of the prestigous Circolo Canottieri Aniene that has produced a number of Olympic champions.

Pagnozzi also serves as the secretary general of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) that are headquartered on the CONI sports compound.

“In sport it’s difficult to win, but it’s also difficult not to win – I embrace Pagnozzi. I consider this job to be the most important there is in this country. I’ll do everything to honour it,” he said at the election today.

Malago was also in charge of the Rome 2009 FINA world swimming championships held on the grounds of CONI.