The Olympic team begins to take shape: the first six names for the Paris Games are officially announced

The National Technical Directorate, in collaboration with CONI Olympic Preparation, has officially announced the first six athletes who will represent the Italian judo team at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

The four women and two men are: Assunta Scutto (-48 kg/photo IJF), Odette Giuffrida (-52 kg), Veronica Toniolo (-57 kg), Alice Bellandi (-78 kg), Manuel Lombardo (-73 kg) and Christian Parlati (-90 kg).

The Olympic qualification period will end on 23 June and on 25 June, after the publication of the world rankings, the International Judo Federation (IJF) will give written confirmation to the National Olympic Committees of the places obtained. By 2 July, the NOCs will give confirmation of the use of the allocated places while the following day, the unused ones will be reallocated.

The aforementioned athletes, however, are well within the quota of direct qualifiers, meaning that their qualification is effectively decided, regardless of any other results and deadlines between now and 23 June.

The position of the judokas mentioned above in the Olympic team is therefore final, whatever changes may occur in the Olympic Ranking List, even those benefitting other Azzurri.

An individualised programme will soon be discussed for the nominated squad, aimed at ensuring an optimal approach to the Olympic competition and, where necessary, at improving the individual athlete's position in the Olympic Ranking List.