Former coach of the Bulgarian national volleyball team, Camillo Placi, received a prestigious award in his native Italy. The 69-year-old specialist was honored with the "Panathleta Eccellente 2026" ("Excellent Panathlete") award at a ceremony in Lecce.
The award was presented on November 7 during the traditional "Fair Play 2026" ceremony, organized by the local club of the international organization Panathlon, which promotes sports ethics, fair play, and Olympic values. The event took place in the auditorium of the "Enrico Fermi" institute in Lecce, and the recognition for the Italian coach also found its way onto the pages of the local newspaper "Nuovo Quotidiano di Puglia" in its November 8 issue.
In presenting Placi, the organizers specifically noted his participation in the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008 with Russia and in London in 2012 with Bulgaria.
It was with the Bulgarian national team that the Italian experienced one of the most memorable moments of his career. At the London Olympics, Bulgaria reached the semifinals and finished in fourth place, with Placi being part of the coaching staff. Subsequently, he also took over as head coach of our national team.
The specialist's last major success is also among the reasons for the award. In 2026, Placi led Tunisia to the African title and secured the national team a direct quota for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028.
In the final of the continental championship, the Tunisians defeated Cameroon 3:0 (25:22, 25:18, 25:19), finishing the tournament without a single loss. This was Tunisia's 12th African title in history.
Thus, Los Angeles 2028 is shaping up to be the third Olympics in Camillo Placi's coaching career, after Beijing 2008 and London 2012.
The recognition for Placi is further proof of the high regard his work receives in international volleyball. And the fact that among the most significant moments in his career, the organizers highlight the London Olympic Games with Bulgaria, gives the award a special Bulgarian dimension.