Described as the longest and most challenging professional sporting event in the world, The Ocean Race concluded a few days ago in Genoa. Why was the Ligurian port city chosen as the race’s finish line — or its “Grand Finale,” as organizers ceremoniously put it? The sea is ingrained in the local identity. Maybe it’s because Genoa carries the title of La Superba, bestowed upon it by the poet Francesco Petrarca, signifying its grandeur and civic pride.

Then again, it could be due to Genoa’s designation as the “European Capital of Sport 2024” by the Brussels-based nonprofit ACES Europe. Whatever the reason, Genoa, with its historic center and international port, is a city that has long embraced the blue economy, fostered a high-tech environment, and placed a strong emphasis on sports and sustainability.