Lazio’s eagle Olympia ‘sails’ to Malta for charity

Olympia, the bird of prey that has been Serie A football club Lazio’s real-life mascot since 2010, recently sailed – across the sea not the sky – from Italy to Malta to take part in a charitable event. The biancoceleste team’s real-life golden eagle talisman was the guest of honour at the Historic Jersey Exhibition, organized by the Lazio Supporters Club Malta in collaboration with the Lazio Museum.

The event, which took place from 11 to 13 October, was held to raise funds for the Maltese foundation "Dar Bjorn" and its care centre for patients suffering from ALS. All of Lazio’s historic jerseys from 1974 to the present were displayed at the exhibition, which attracted around 1,000 visitors and raised a significant sum to support the healthcare facility.

Olympia left Salerno on 8 October on Grimaldi’s ro-ro ship Eurocargo Ravenna and returned from Malta on 14 October on board the Eurocargo Venezia. To support this noble cause, the Grimaldi Group offered discounted fares for the van carrying the eagle and its driver. Additionally, Sullivan Maritime, the Group’s agency in Malta, waived all local charges associated with the shipment.