Top 4 Sports In Italy: From Calcio To Cycling

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Italy is renowned for not just its pizza but also its vibrant sports culture with a rich history of achievements. “Calcio,” which is an Italian term for football, is the national sport of the country with Italy being the four-time FIFA World Cup champion. 

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Apart from that, the country also celebrates other sports like cycling, skiing and fencing. These sports not only reflect the country’s competitive spirit but also its love for athletic excellence. So let’s take a look at the four most popular sports in Italy.

Football

Football is Italy’s most popular sport, passionately followed by millions across the country. The country holds the record for the longest unbeaten streak in international football (37 matches). The nation has won four FIFA World Cup titles and was runners-up twice.

They also bagged the UEFA European Championship twice and an Olympic gold in 1936 along with three bronze medals. The national football team, known as Gli Azzurri, is known worldwide for its iconic blue jerseys. Italy has its own fan base of football called Tifosi.

Cycling

Italy is home to the Giro d’Italia, which is one of the most prestigious Grand Tours in the professional road cycle. Cycling holds a prominent place in the country’s sporting culture, having achieved remarkable success at a global level. They have an impressive trophy cabinet of a total of 57 medals with 32 golds, ranking second overall in the Olympics. 

The team also secured 112 Road World Championship medals with 39 golds leading to an all-time high ranking. They also have an excellent track record at the Track World Championships with 246 medals, including 75 golds. Needless to say, cycling is an integral part of Italy’s sporting culture.

Skiing

Despite Italy’s struggle with low-altitude resorts and unreliable snow cover, skiing is one of the most popular sports in the country, with over 220 ski resorts, ranking third globally in ski resort infrastructure. Over 400,000 people are employed directly or indirectly through skiing. 

Italian athletes have excelled in Alpine skiing, with legends like Gustavo Thoeni and Alberto Tomba. The Country has won 141 Winter Olympics medals until now and also holds a strong record in cross-country skiing.

Fencing

Fencing holds a prestigious position in Italy’s sporting history with over 250 fencing clubs and a robust training system. The country has an extraordinary record of 124 Olympic medals with 48 golds and 514 World Championship medals, which is the highest globally. The country is also home to exceptional fencers like Edoardo Mangiarotti, Nedo Nadi, and Valentina Vezzali.

Also Read: Indonesia’s Favourite Sports: The Top 6

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