by Maximiliano Crocamo
Interview: Secretary General Antonello Panza for the Federazione Italiana Nuoto
The Bruno Bianchi Swimming Complex, one of Italy’s largest and most advanced aquatic centers, celebrated its 20th anniversary this week with an event highlighting two decades of sport, community, and cultural engagement.
“Twenty years of service to the city, with extraordinary participation from people of all ages — from children to seniors, from competitive athletes to those who simply enjoy swimming at their own pace,” said Franco Del Campo, president of FIN Plus Trieste and director of the facility. His remarks opened the commemoration held in the “Ervino Emberger” Hall at the pool on Thursday morning.
The ceremony brought together local and national figures, including Trieste Mayor Roberto Dipiazza, City Councillor for Sports Elisa Lodi, Italian Swimming Federation Secretary General Antonello Panza, Friuli Venezia Giulia FIN Committee President Sergio Pasquali, and Laura Sterni, president of the Azzurri and Olympians Association in Trieste.
Through images and anecdotes, Del Campo retraced the pool’s 20-year history — from its early construction to its evolution into a hub not only for competitive swimming but also for social and cultural life in the city. The facility, which regularly hosts national and international competitions, has become a point of pride for Trieste, offering a space where professional athletes and recreational swimmers share the same lanes.
Following the meeting, a short but symbolic ceremony took place at the pool’s entrance, organized by Councillor Lodi in collaboration with the Azzurri d’Italia association. A commemorative plaque was unveiled, featuring a QR code that provides access to a digital archive listing all Trieste’s national and Olympic athletes. The list also includes athletes of Istrian, Rijeka, and Dalmatian origin — a gesture meant to honor shared regional and historical ties.
“Thanks to Franco Del Campo and Laura Sterni for their dedication and for completing the plaque project, which pays tribute to generations of champions who have shaped our city’s sporting history,” said Councillor Lodi. “Today is a celebration of excellence — not just for Trieste, but for the entire region and beyond. The Bruno Bianchi pool welcomes world-class events, nurtures young swimmers, and promotes an inclusive vision of sport.”
Lodi also emphasized the city’s continued commitment to maintaining the complex. “Managing this facility is no small task, but the municipality remains steadfast in its support of the Italian Swimming Federation,” she said. “It’s an honor to have such a vibrant place, open to everyone from children to adults. My heartfelt thanks go to all those who work every day to make this possible.”
Mayor Dipiazza, recalling the project’s origins, shared a personal story about his early days in office. “When I first became mayor, I was considering demolishing the old Bianchi pool on the Rive. That’s when I met Franco Del Campo — who had the courage to tell me I was wrong,” he said with a smile. “He convinced me that the new facility needed a diving pool. From that moment on, we worked together, and a few years later, we succeeded in creating this extraordinary complex.”
He concluded by paying tribute to Del Campo’s persistence and vision. “Every time I come here, I feel deeply moved,” Dipiazza said. “This is one of Europe’s most beautiful and high-level aquatic centers, and I’m proud to have witnessed its creation step by step.”
Over the past two decades, the Bruno Bianchi pool has grown into far more than a sports venue. It has become a community landmark — a place where Trieste’s passion for the sea and sport continues to flow, 20 years strong.
