(Adnkronos) – Sport is “a foreign policy tool, from industry to science,” foreign minister Antonio Tajani said on Wednesday at press conference to present the Olympic accreditation of the national sports medicine federation’s anti-doping laboratory.
“Sport is a tool of foreign policy, from industry to science,” Tajani said, noting that the government has made sport central to its policies, and underlining its key role in Italy’s industrial output (GDP).
“I am therefore proud to present this tool, providing training to young doctors in countries with which we have international cooperation ties, linking up with training projects for new sports directors in Africa, to give just one example,” said Tajani.
Italy’s image abroad “results from a combination of various factors, which are often secondary to the diplomatic work we politicians do,” he said.
“Having a centre of excellence in Rome, the capital of Italy, ready to be an Olympic reference point of the highest scientific level, qualifies our country to host major sporting events,” Tajani claimed.
“Our high scientific level in the specific field of the fight against doping will draw international attention which can help position us as a jewel in the crown of scientific research.”
The new laboratory in Rome is the only one in Italy and one of 30 worldwide that are recognised by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
