Role
Former athlete, swimming champion, and multiple Olympic medalist; Journalist and President of the National Association of Italian Olympic and Blue Athletes (ANAOAI); Member of the Board of Directors of the Giulio Onesti Foundation and Safeguarding Officer of the Italian Gymnastics Federation
Bio
Novella Calligaris is a swimming champion and journalist. She began her career at a very young age, in 1968, the year she made her national team debut, participating in the "Six Nations" tournament in Stockholm and the Olympic Games in Mexico City. In 1972, she won three medals at the Munich Olympic Games, becoming the first swimmer to stand on the Olympic podium. In 1973, she won the gold medal at the first World Swimming, Water Polo, and Diving Championships in Belgrade, setting a world record of 8:52.973 in the 800-meter freestyle, and two bronze medals in the 400-meter freestyle and 400-meter medley. Her competitive career culminated with 71 Italian titles, 22 European titles, and a world record.
After her sporting career, she began her career in journalism, first at Corriere della Sera, then at RAI. In 2021, she was elected president of the National Association of Italian Olympic Athletes.