NAPLES, Italy –
U.S. and Italian service members participated in the 25th annual Naples Armed Forces Olympics, sponsored by Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) in Naples, Italy, May 3, 2019.
The event, held at Carney Park, gave athletes from both Italian and U.S. military commands the chance to work together and compete in several team-building activities including: bubble soccer, a 5K relay, obstacle courses, archery, a truck pull, and more.
“This year has been an especially busy year for us,” said Adm. James G. Foggo III, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (CNE-A) and Allied Joint Force Command Naples. “Because of all of the important work that we do here each day, it’s especially important that we take the time to come together and build camaraderie with some healthy competition.”
Teams from 13 different commands participated in the event.
“It’s an honor for me to coordinate this event,” said Laura Dimarzo, MWR Sports Specialist and Event Coordinator. “It’s all about the camaraderie and the fellowship – these two things are my priority in all the events that I help coordinate. It’s about making friendly relationships between the U.S. and their Italian hosts. This gives them the opportunity to have the day off, have some fun, and compete in a friendly environment.”
At the end of a day packed full of activities, the Italian’s Le Unità Operative di Primo Intervento and the U.S.’s Public Works Department were crowned the first place teams.
Events like the Armed Forces Olympics help to promote interoperability between U.S. Sailors and their Italian counterparts while encouraging Sailors to get outside and exercise.
CNE-A, headquartered in Naples, oversees joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, to enable enduring relationships and increase vigilance and resilience in Europe and Africa.