The elections are scheduled for November 24 but the race has already begun: two great champions of the past, Giuseppe Abbagnale and Davide Tizzano, are competing for the presidency of the Federcanottaggio (Fic). They have both already started their electoral campaign. Abbagnale, born in 1959, president of the Federation since 2012, is running again: his family has written unforgettable pages in the history of Italian rowing. Giuseppe, with his brother Carmine and the coxswain Peppiniello Di Capua, won two gold medals, at the Olympics in Los Angeles in 1984 and Seoul in 1988. With the same crew he also won 7 world titles and was the flag bearer for Italy at the Barcelona Games in 1992. A legend that continues with his son Vincenzo, world champion.
Abbagnale has done great things in these years as president of the Federation, just look at the results: but now it’s up to the clubs that have needs and problems to decide. In rowing, one is worth one, that’s why the small Sicilian club has a vote like the Fiamme Oro or the Fiamme Gialle. Abbagnale must overcome the two-thirds barrier, and it’s not easy: he has just presented his team, the club-quota councilors (including Daniele Masala, two Olympic gold medalists in the pentathlon) and his program. He is challenged, as mentioned, by Davide Tizzano: born in 1968, also a two-time Olympic champion (Seoul 1988 and Atlanta 1996) in rowing. He also participated as a sailor in the America’s Cup and directed the Olympic training center in Formia.
Tizzano has the team ready with the slogan “Fic Futura”: with him also Rossano Galtarossa, 4 Olympic medals including gold in Sydney 2000. “We aim for 60,000 members for Los Angeles, we must grow at a faster pace than other competing sports. We will work to increase external resources, coming from private sponsors, institutions and international, national and local foundations, to be able to expand growth projects” explained Tizzano who challenges the legend.