Biographical Note

New Permanent Observer of International Olympic Committee

 

Presents Appointment Letter

 

(Based on information provided by the Protocol and Liaison Service.)

Mario Pescante, the new Permanent Observer of the International Olympic Committee to the United Nations, presented his letter of appointment to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today.

Until his appointment, Mr. Pescante was a deputy in the Italian Parliament since 2001, and served as President of the Parliamentary Commission for the European Union from 2008 to date.

The Government of Italy appointed Mr. Pescante Commissioner for the XVI Mediterranean Games in Pescara from 2008 to 2009, and previously Supervisor of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Torino between 2004 and 2006.  He was Under-Secretary of State in charge of sport in the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities from 2001 to 2006.

Prominent in national, regional and international sporting bodies, Mr. Pescante was Vice-President of the International Olympic Committee in 2009, having been a member of its Executive Board since 1994.  He was a champion middle-distance runner, having won the national title at 1,500 metres in 1955 and the national student championship at 1,000 metres in 1957.

Mr. Pescante has a law degree from the University of Rome, and speaks French, Spanish and English.

Born in Avezzano (L’Aquila) on 7 July 1938, he is married to Sussana Moneti and had three children from a previous marriage.

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For information media • not an official record