Italian athletes are making history at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Giovanni De Gennaro secured the gold medal in the slalom canoe kayak event, while judoka Alice Bellandi won the gold in the -78 kg category. De Gennaro completed the race with a flawless performance, finishing with a total time of 88.22. The silver medal went to Frenchman Titouan Castryck (88.42), and the bronze to Spaniard Pau Echaniz (88.87). In the final, Bellandi defeated Israeli competitor Inbar Lanir.
During the victory ceremony, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stood up to applaud the Italian athlete and even went on the mat to embrace the new Olympic champion. Meloni described her as “extraordinary” and praised her determination. “It was a beautiful emotion,” commented the Prime Minister.
Speaking to Rai Sport after his triumph, De Gennaro expressed his joy: “The gold medal? It’s heavy, but I couldn’t imagine anything else. It’s a dream I’ve been chasing for a long time, achieved through hard work and a bit of luck, which is always necessary.” De Gennaro also celebrated Bellandi’s gold medal in judo, minutes after his own victory. “She’s from Roncadelle, my hometown in Brescia, it’s a great story.”
An impromptu performance by Albano followed Bellandi’s win. The singer, a friend of Marius Vizer, the president of the international federation, sang ‘Felicità’ on the mat, joined by the crowd in the arena.
At the Gran Palais, the Italian women’s foil fencing team qualified for the final of the team event, where they will face the United States. In the semifinals, the team – Arianna Errigo, Alice Volpi, Martina Favaretto, and Francesca Palumbo (substitute) – defeated Japan 45-39. This medal brings Italy’s tally to fourteen at the Paris Olympics.
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