The 18-year-old formed part of the Italian team pursuit squad which won a gold medal at the European Championships in Berlin in October.

It came in a year in which she also won three gold medals in the omnium, madison and team pursuit events at the Junior World Championships in Montichiari.

Paternoster was chosen by delegates at the EOC General Assembly here and presented during a Gala dinner by figures including EOC head Janez Kocijančič and Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee.

Hungarian swimmer Reka Nagy finished in second place after winning two gold and two silver medals at her home European Youth Olympic Festival in Győr.

Turkish judoka Mihrac Akkus and Greek sailor Dimitrious Papadimitriou shared third place.

Czech shooter Filip Nepejchal finished fifth.