The FIRS together with the Italian Federation express their most heartfelt condolences for this great loss. The Italian National Team has got with him a lot of international titles, thanks to him it has been able to make important choices and it will be difficult to match the number of victories reached with him. Before becoming coach of the Italian National Team that dominates the world stage  Antonio Merlo  was one of the pioneers of the Italian Artistic Skating, obtaining important results at the international level and participating in various World Championships.

The words of the President Sabatino Aracu:

" Today “THE " Technical Coach of the Italian Federation is dead, with us for 25 years, in which Italy has reached a number of results and titles that will be difficult to match. Antonio, with a mild character, always willing to talk, always open to dialogue and to the exchange of ideas, respectful of the work of other coaches, with his cautious optimism was always ready to solve problems. An important person, to talk about Merlo is talking about a part of the history of Artistic Skating. "

The Italian Federation of Roller Sports, bewildered and sorry for this great loss, tightens  around the family,  the staff of the National Team, its managers, teachers  and coaches.