Paralympics: Caironi wins 100 meters, Sabatini falls and hinders Contrafatto

Simone Corbetta

September 7, 2024 (edit at 23:55) – PARIS

A treacherous track. At the Stade de France in Saint Denis, what was supposed to be a celebration turned, in part, into a great regret. In the 100m T63, where our “Charlie’s Angels” Martina Caironi, Monica Contrafatto and Ambra Sabatini were the favorites, even looking at this morning’s semi-finals, everything happened. Indonesian Tiarani started off in a sprint, with our girls slowly making up the gap. Halfway down the track Martina, Ambra and Monica were in an excellent position, accelerating for the final sprint. It seemed like a remake of Tokyo could happen, with the Italian hat-trick, then the drama. The reigning Paralympic champion Ambra Sabatini slipped, the tip of her prosthesis touched the ground and caused the Livorno athlete to swerve, who, involuntarily, invaded Contrafatto’s lane, compromising, a few meters from the finish line, the final result of both: Sabatini disqualified and Contrafatto fourth. The latter, in the end, wins the bronze ex aequo with the British Okoh, after the appeal won: the judges took into account that Contrafatto had been damaged by the invasion of the lane by her friend and opponent. Praise to Martina Caironi who, at 35 years old, wins her third gold medal in the 100m, after London 2012 and Rio 2016. A 14”16, her season best, which allows her to climb to the top of the world on the eve of her retirement from competitions.

legend

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Martina, who with this medal brings her total haul to 7 (3 golds and 4 silvers) in four editions of the Games, even manages to surpass a giant like Assunta Legnante (3 golds and 3 silvers). No one like her in Paralympic athletics. It was Martina who inspired both Monica and Ambra to undertake this sporting journey. She has always given the athletics movement so much, including medals and records. “It’s incredible what happened – says Caironi -. Anything can happen and everything has happened. I’m so sorry for Ambra and Monica, especially for Ambra because it’s terrible to fall at the finish line. As for me, I’m so happy, I’m flying”.

regret

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“I’m in shock, I still don’t understand what happened – says Sabatini – I was there near the finish line, I could see the line, I was touching it and then this unfortunate accident. Before the start I had a problem warming up with the valve of the prosthesis, at that moment I panicked for a moment, but then we managed to fix it with silicone. Physically and mentally I was there, I was charged. I wanted to fight, but the unthinkable happened”. Compliments to Martina: “She was great and I’m happy that at least she succeeded in this feat”. My thoughts also go to Monica Contrafatto: “I’m really sorry I damaged her, I never wanted this end, but here we are. I’ll face this too. It’s been a difficult year”. A great group: “We wanted to end on a high note, like in Tokyo. As a flag bearer it’s even more disappointing, but I have many other opportunities ahead and I’ll get back to work immediately for Los Angeles. I’m ready, I just have to get over this bitterness”.

relief

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After the initial disappointment, Monica Contrafatto, by virtue of the bronze medal, the third after Rio and Tokyo, finds enthusiasm again: “I’m happy, also for Ambra who will not feel guilty. After the race she came to me in tears. I dedicate this bronze to her, I love her so much, we are roommates and she will surely know what to do, she has a long road ahead of her”. An extraordinary year: “Despite my 43 years I managed to set my personal best, 14”31, I have improved a lot. I remain eternal third, no one can take the bronze away from me”, she smiles. The appeal: “I celebrated as if I had won gold, I didn’t even know that it could be presented to the judges. I screamed with joy”. On Los Angeles 2028: “I don’t know, we’ll see year by year. My intention is to continue, but we’ll see”.