Gianarrigo Rona, from Pavia, Italy, born in Rome on 18th November 1940
and currently living in Milano, with his wife Cippi and the stepdaughter
Carlotta; two grown-up children, Claudia and Gianmatteo, from previous
marriage. A practising lawyer (the third in a family of lawyers, now in
its fourth generation) until 2002, for twenty years he was a Board
Member of the Order of Lawyers and for eight years Administrator and
then President Vicarious of the National Lawyers’ Pension Fund. He was
member of the Association of Lawyers of Italy and America.
Played basketball in the Italian First Division. Member of the Technical Commission for the Italian Motorboat Federation (1982/83). Member of the National Council of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) since his election in 2005, he was re-elected for the legislature 2009/2013. In 2001 he received from IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch the IOC Golden Diploma and in 2006 he was awarded by CONI the Sportive Merit Gold Star.
Played bridge at international level and classified in highest Italian category. Elected Member of the Board of FIGB in1979, became President in 1986 and was in charge up to 2009. During his Presidency FIGB was recognised by the Italian National Olympic Committee. NPC of the Italian Open Team from 1984 to 1986. Chairman of the Organising Committee of EUBL Championships in 1979 and 1998, the European Open Pairs Championships in 1989, 1991 and 1995, the European Junior Teams Championship in 1982, of the European Open and Women’s Teams in 1985, of the Olympiads 1988 and 1992.
Elected Member of the EBL Executive Committee in 1995, Acting Treasurer from 1997 to 1999 and President from 1999 to 2010. During his Presidency EBL approved the new Statutes, introduced the Disciplinary Code and the Official TDs Register and instituted the European Bridge Champion’s Cup, the European Open Championship and the European Girls Bridge Teams Championship.
Member of the WBF Executive Council and Management Committee since 1999, 1st Vice President from 2006, he was elected President in Sao Paulo in 2009 and took the chair in 2010, succeeding José Damiani, at the end of the World Bridge Series in Philadelphia. Besides he has been elected in the WBF Committee of Honour.