NEWS

On October 14, 2021, the University of Pisa, Italy hosted the “Dual Career – Modernization of the University”.

Paolo Maria Mancarella, University Rector and Michele Conti, Major of Pisa welcomed the participants, whereas Marco Gesi, Pro-Rector for Sport and organizer of the event introduced the evolution of a dual career in Italy and at the University of Pisa, envisaging more structured strategies at the national level.

Antonio Dima, President of CUSI – The Italian University Sport Association, underlined the relevance of synergies between institutions to achieve common goals.

Laura Capranica, EAS President, illustrated the progression of a dual career in Europe and envisioned the challenges for future development of dual career, also including coaches, referees, sports managers, and employee-athletes/coaches.

Paolo Bouquet, President of Unisport Italia, emphasized the role of the association of Italian Universities interested in sport in contributing to the advancement of an Italian discourse in dual career and pointed out the opportunities for universities to broaden their horizon in and through sports.

Salvatore Sanzo, a Member of the Board of the Italian Olympic Committee, recalled his personal experience as a student-athlete at the University of Pisa and substantiated the importance of a dual career in the Italian Olympic agenda.

Sara Morganti, a bronze Paralympic medalist in Tokyo 2020, offered her experience regarding the difficulties and barriers she encountered in managing her dual career as a student-athlete and as an employee-athlete.

Finally, Giovanni Malagò, President of the Italian Olympic Committee highlighted the multi-faceted dual career environments with a variety of actors having distinct and peculiar responsibilities in supporting the holistic development of athletes and in establishing an effective dialogue to ensure cultural progress in the sport. At the end of the event, CONI merits were awarded to sportsmen and sportswomen.