The fairies shine. Dt Casella: “There is a lot of work behind us and a lot of togetherness, we are a family. We have worked hard, with healthy principles”
Angela Andreoli, Alice D’Amato, Manila Esposito, Elisa Iorio, and Giorgia Villa: these are the names of the “blue fairies” – as they have been renamed – silver medalists in the team event of artistic gymnastics at the Games. Their achievement matches that of the women’s team in 1928 in Amsterdam, which was the only medal so far won by the women’s team, who 96 years ago were called the “Little Pavesi”.
ANXIETY
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“I was anxious, I knew that my exercise would determine the podium, but my teammates came to me and told me to relax and have fun, and I managed to perform my routine well. It’s the biggest emotion I’ve ever felt, which repays me for all the sacrifices made: you give up your teenage life to pursue the dream of the Olympics and crown it with silver behind the United States…”: Angela Andreoli is radiant after the historic result. “Biles? She congratulated me,” she added. For Elisa Iorio, who made it to the final despite being injured and competing only on the uneven bars, “the emotion is immense, we have reached a historic goal. The dedication? To my family, to my boyfriend who supports me, who does the same sport and understands me, and then to all the people who support us”.
no sleep
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“Last night I really struggled to fall asleep,” says Manila Esposito. “I don’t have the words to describe how I feel at this moment. We were good at maintaining our concentration until the end.”..
work
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“There is a lot of work behind us and a lot of togetherness, we are a family. We have worked hard, with healthy principles, we also knew how to lose, and when one participant enters, she always contributes; this is our strength – said technical director Enrico Casella. – We tried to create a team spirit and the girls fully sensed it, knowing how to react. There has always been the ability not to get discouraged, not to wallow in self-pity, not even when Elisa Iorio got injured”.
Gazzetta dello Sport
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