As happened at the Rio 2016 Games, the thirty-two year old from Veneto is the first medalist for Italy
The first medal for Italy arrives at Tokyo Paralympics
: conquest in swimming Francesco Bettella, bronze medal in the men’s 100 backstroke category S1. The gold went to the Israeli Iyad Shalabi and the silver to the Ukrainian Anton Kol. Also ai Rio Games 2016, Bettella had hit the first podium for Italy.
Bettella, 32 years old, suffers from a genetic axonal neuropathy and swimming, which he has practiced since the age of 4, is part of the treatment. He started competitive activity at 14 and made his national debut at 20. The technical breakthrough thanks to the university course of fluid mechanics, in 2010. From there he took inspiration to modify his swim. He has a degree in mechanical engineering with a thesis on wheelchair rugby.
These are his first words at the end of the race: a different emotion compared to Rio. That was my first Paralympic medal with the public, for even here, after these 5 difficult years, a great satisfaction. I do not hide that I was dreaming of another color of the medal, but bronze is fine anyway. I’ve had shoulder problems in the last month, so I’m happy with it.
August 25, 2021 (change August 25, 2021 | 11:43)
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