Pat Hickey as President of the European Olympic Committees received the highest distinction from the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) the CONI Golden Collar in recognition of his longstanding commitment of the Olympic movement presented to him by EOC & CONI Secretary General – Raffaele Pagnozzi and CONI’s Executive Board.
The ceremony took place in the Italian Olympic Committee’s Hall of Honour in Rome, In the presence of Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti and many personalities including Sports Minister Piero Gnudi, IOC Members in Italy Franco Carraro, Ottavio Cinquanta, Francesco Ricci Bitti, Mario Pescante, many athletes and the media.