LAUSANNE/ZURICH: Italian Simone Farina has been appointed an Athlete Role Model for this year Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China.

Farina, who was forced out of Italian football after stepping up as a whistleblower over a matchfix scandal, is already an Ambassador for Fair Play with world football federation FIFA.

The 38 Athlete Role Models are charged with offering support, mentoring and advice to the 3,800 young athletes who will be participating in the Games, with all 28 sports providing a representative.

They will also take part in workshops and educational activities with the young athletes, covering topics such as anti-doping, nutrition and irregular and illegal betting.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter said: “We welcome Simone’s appointment as an Athlete Role Model for the Youth Olympics. He spoke out against match-manipulation and in defence of the positive values of football. That’s why FIFA is proud to have him as an ambassador for Fair Play.”

Interpol award

Former Roma defender Farina hit the headlines for his key role in helping to stop a match-fixing attempt in Italy in November 2011. His evidence helped lead to the arrest of 17 people.

Interpol, which investigated the match-manipulation scandal in Italy, also awarded Farina a commemorative medal for his contribution to crime prevention and law enforcement. The 31-year-old works in a community liaison role for Premier League Aston Villa.

Thomas Bach, the International Olympic Committee president, told Farina: “In creating the Youth Olympic Games, the IOC has developed a mission of building an event that educates, engages and empowers aspiring young people around the world to play a positive and active role in their communities.

“Your involvement and participation in the Youth Olympic Games will have an enormous impact on helping fulfil this mission. Your success as an athlete and your life experiences will serve as an invaluable model for the young Olympians who will be competing in Nanjing.”

The first football tournament at the summer Youth Olympics will be played from August 14 to 27 in Nanjing, China, with six teams for both boys and girls.

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