OGI Timeline

The Olimpiade della Gioventù Italiana (OGI) has grown from a simple idea in 1978 into a beloved tradition for the UK’s Italian community. This timeline highlights key moments in its history, from the first games in 1980, through challenges and triumphs, to the ongoing legacy of figures like Vic Heissl. It traces the evolution of OGI, including new teams, sponsorships, and its growth into a major community event.

1978: The Dream Of OGI

It all began in 1978 at a meeting of the St. Peter’s Italian Youth Club, where Roberto Verbini proposed a bold idea: create an event where Italian youngsters and their friends, no matter their sporting abilities, could come together to compete and connect. A simple thought, but one that ignited a powerful vision. The committee, led by the unstoppable Vic Heissl, immediately took the challenge to heart, and before long, the dream began to take shape.

1980: The First OGI Games

Fast forward two years, and the dream became reality. The first Olimpiade della Gioventù Italiana (OGI) was held at Barnet Copthall Stadium during the last May bank holiday. The atmosphere was electric as over 900 young competitors, ages 9-21, gathered from across the UK (and even Scotland) to compete in track and field, boxing, rugby, football, netball, and swimming. For many, this wasn’t just about medals—it was about community, friendship, and pride. Scotland emerged as the first champions, but the true victory was in the unity that OGI sparked.
For Vic Heissl, the games were never about winning. They were about bringing people together, creating bonds that would last a lifetime, and making sure that no one was left out. He wanted OGI to be inclusive, a celebration for everyone, not just athletes. He insisted that no matter their nationality, everyone should participate, reflecting his belief that sport should unite, not divide.

1982 - 1984: A New Tradition

As the event grew, so did its sense of camaraderie. In 1984, OGI introduced the Sportsmanship Trophy, a way to honor those who demonstrated true sporting spirit. The event continued to evolve, and after two more successful games in 1982 and 1984, the committee decided it was time for OGI to stand on its own, separate from the St. Peter’s Youth Club.

1986 - 1988: Transition of Leadership

The baton was officially passed to an independent committee, led by the passionate Les Rickard. The new committee streamlined the event, removing sports like boxing and rugby to focus more on track and field, swimming, and other competitions. The OGI games were entering a new era—one of greater organization, deeper competition, and even more community engagement.
A heart-wrenching moment came in 1988 with the untimely passing of Les Rickard, OGI’s first president. To honor his incredible contribution, the Les Rickard Trophy was introduced.

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1990 - 1995: A New Home

The OGI’s next chapter unfolded at the New River Sports Centre in White Hart Lane. The change in venue in 1990 marked the continued growth of the games, as more competitors, teams, and spectators arrived each year. With Padre Russo’s influence and Vic’s leadership, OGI had become more than just a sporting event—it was now a celebration of Italian heritage and community spirit.
OGI hit a major milestone when a team of 30 athletes, ages 14-15, represented the UK at the Giocchi Della Gioventù in Rome. The event attracted competitors of Italian descent from all over the world, and for these young athletes, it was the chance of a lifetime. This global participation further cemented OGI as an event of international significance.

2000 - 2002: A New Committee and the Winner’s Shield

In 2000, a revitalized OGI committee, led by Mike Viglione and supported by other dedicated members like Luciana Timanti, Mariella Mansi, and Maria Tozzi, breathed new life into the games. They secured sponsorship from Cariparma and ran a smooth, exciting competition that saw St. Peter’s battle it out with the fiery Finchley team. The championship title was hotly contested, but St. Peter’s held on to their crown.
The 2002 games were especially poignant. Not only was it a hard-fought battle between Finchley, St. Peter’s, and Southgate, but it also marked the last appearance of the historic Arrotini team—one of the founding teams of OGI.
After the death of Padre Roberto Russo, Vic was made the Honorary President of OGI and requested to rename the OGI Winner’s Shield to the Padre Roberto Russo Shield was granted, ensuring that his legacy would live on forever. His legacy, along with that of Padre Roberto Russo, would forever be embedded in OGI’s DNA. Padre Russo, the beloved priest from the Chiesa Italiana, was more than just a religious figure—he was a tireless advocate for the games. His dedication to the community and to OGI was unwavering, and his memory was cherished by all who knew him.

2004 - 2006: Competitive Years and International Expansion

A historic moment occurred in 2004 when the first international team, Oratorio Regina Pacis from Rome, participated in OGI. Though small in number, the team’s enthusiasm and sportsmanship were infectious, and they were awarded the Sportsmanship Trophy. This was a glimpse of OGI’s potential to become a truly international event.
The OGI games reached new heights in 2006 when Southgate, after years of strong competition, finally dethroned Finchley to claim their second Winner’s Shield. The fierce competition between these two teams had been thrilling to watch, but it was Southgate’s year. Meanwhile, Oratorio merged with St. Peter’s, continuing to build on the spirit of unity and competition that had defined OGI.

2010 - 2012: Final Year at New River Stadium

2010 was a landmark year—OGI said goodbye to the New River Sports Centre and welcomed Londra Sud, a new team from Southern London, to the competition. Though Londra Sud only brought 35 competitors, their spirit and determination left a lasting impact, earning them the Sportsmanship Trophy. This year also marked OGI’s 30th anniversary, and significant changes began to shape the future of the event. Vic Heissl, although no longer in charge, continued to play a role, ensuring that OGI would remain true to its roots.
OGI’s prestige grew even further when the Consul General of Italy, Uberto Vanni d'Archirafi, became the official Patron of the games. This added a new level of recognition to the event, highlighting its importance within the wider Italian community.
OGI saw even greater growth in 2012, with Londra Sud returning with nearly 80 competitors—showing just how far the event had come. With continued support from the Associazione Parmigiani Valceno and Cariparma, OGI was set to thrive well into the future

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2016: Vic’s Final Appearance

In 2016, Vic failed to appear at the games for the first time, sending his apologies. However, he attended the post-event St. Peter’s team party but left early. Vic Heissl passed away on 26th July 2016, marking the end of an era for OGI.
Vic’s spirit, however, continued to live on through the event, with many competitors and supporters remembering him fondly, including a tribute from former competitor Marilyn Kumon, who expressed how Vic had been a guiding force in her youth.

2020 - 2022: COVID-19 Disruption and Cancellations

The 40th anniversary of the OGI Games was scheduled to take place in 2020, but was cancelled due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. National lockdowns, travel restrictions, and health regulations between March 2020 and December 2021 made it impossible to organize or safely run the event, marking the first time in history the games were not held.
Although restrictions had eased by 2022, the pandemic’s lingering effects had a profound impact on the community. The OGI Games were once again cancelled. The prolonged disruption led to a decline in enthusiasm and participation, preventing the games from taking place for the second consecutive year.

2024: Anglo-Italian Games

In 2024, with the OGI Games cancelled for another year, the pressure grew within the community to revive the tradition. Sergio (AS Londra Sud) and Marco Carnevale (Finchley) took the initiative to organize an alternative competition.
The Anglo-Italian Games were held at the David Weir Stadium in South London, providing a platform for athletes from multiple teams to compete individually, rather than representing their traditional teams. This change fostered a more united atmosphere, with participants from diverse backgrounds competing side by side.
The event also introduced a veterans' category, allowing previous OGI competitors over the age of 21 to participate. This welcomed former athletes back into the fold and showcased the lasting impact of the OGI Games on its community. The success of the Anglo-Italian Games reignited the spirit of the OGI, showing that there was still demand for such events.

2025: New Leadership and the OGI's Future

Following another year of cancellations, most of the OGI Committee resigned. This created an opportunity for a new committee to be formed with fresh leadership.
Marco Bardetti was appointed as President of the OGI, tasked with taking the organization forward. Under his leadership, the OGI Games are poised for a revival. The committee's vision for the future included updating the event’s structure and engaging a new generation of athletes, while maintaining the community-focused spirit that defined the OGI from its inception.
The OGI Games are set to evolve, bringing a new era to the competition, with updated ideas and reforms designed to make the event more accessible, engaging, and relevant to today’s youth.