In a historical step, Italy’s Chamber of Deputies unanimously approved on Sept. 20 an amendment to include sport in the Constitution. The measure had already received the green light from the Senate.
The following paragraph has been added to Article 33, which refers to art and science: “The Republic recognizes the educational and social value of sport in all its forms and its importance in the promotion of psychophysical well-being” (translated from the Italian).
An attempt to have the measure approved had already been made in the previous legislature, but after full approval by the Senate, at first and second reading, the bill had only been approved by the Chamber of Deputies at first reading. The process had not been completed due to the early dissolution of the Parliament. The Italian Constitution now recognizes the value of sport but does not make it a right. It will be the responsibility of politicians and sport’s governance to transform it into a right guaranteed to all citizens, the government said in a statement, “starting from the urban and social peripheries.”
