Tokyo 2020 Paralympics: the Italians of swimming give us two gold, one silver and two bronze medals

Aug 26, 2021 438

A gold and a silver in the final of the 100 butterfly S13 at the Paralympics in Tokyo, a gold and a silver in the 200 freestyle. After the first medal (bronze for Bettella in the 100 backstroke swimming category S1), here is also the first gold, signed by Carlotta Gilli (category S13), with a Paralympic record in 28"79, and the silver of Alessia Berra, silver in 30"58.

Then the gold of Francesco Bocciardo, who won the final of the 200 freestyle S5 in 2'26"76, a new Paralympic record. Then the bronze won by Monica Boggioni in the 200 freestyle S5. "Not even in the best of dreams we could think of something like this, we did a masterpiece". Carlotta Gilli tells to the microphones of Rai Sport all her emotion, with her friend Alessia Berra.

"I am very happy, I had never felt a competition in this way - continues the new Paralympic champion - I still can't believe it, I had dreamed of it so many times, I wanted to take back that title that had escaped me in London". Alessia Berra was also happy: "I dedicate this medal to all those who believed in me, first of all to my family and my parents. The comeback? I worked a lot on the 'comeback', it was my flaw and I made it a strength".

"It was a very hard race, there were a lot of expectations. I didn't think I could do it but from 55 meters onwards I believed in it. My arms were sore," says Francesco Bocciardo after the gold. "I thank all those who supported me, starting from the coach and the national team staff," he added to the microphones of Rai Sport.

"It's a wonderful satisfaction for me and for Italy, it's becoming a nice habit," commented Bettella, who also in Rio 2016 had brought the first medal of the expedition for Italy. "I have received so many messages of affection in these days and even before the departure- he explained to the microphones of Raisport- for me it means so much because these five years have been very suffered and to arrive at this medal is a great satisfaction that repays the suffering".

"It's a different emotion compared to Rio. That was my first Paralympic medal with the public, but even here, after these five very difficult years, it is a great satisfaction. I won't hide the fact that I was dreaming of a different color medal, but the bronze is good enough. In the last month I had some problems with my shoulder, so I'm happy with that" concluded Francesco.

SOURCE: RAI News

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