OfClaudio Arrigoni
The Italian podium in Tokyo is not repeated at the Paris Paralympics: near the finish line Sabatini falls and knocks down Contrafatto. An hour after the race she is awarded the bronze
Between joy and despair. Tears and smiles. Running with happiness and crying with sadness. It’s sport and, ultimately, it’s life. Emotions mix at the Stade de France in Paris for what was considered the most anticipated race and the closing of the Paralympic athletics program, the 100 meters T63, for amputee athletes of the leg below the knee.
The kingdom of three wonderful girls who have been able to paint blue podiums not only in the Paralympics. But the magic of Tokyo first and then of the World Championships was not repeated. Martina Caironi becomes the queen of sprinting again in the last race of her careersame metal as its first Paralympic incarnation in London, twelve years ago. He does it in a race where the champion and world recordwoman, Ambra Sabatini, fell just before the finish line, involving Monica Contrafattowho however eventually reached third place and the bronze ex aequo with the English Okoh.
«An incredible race, anything can happen and everything happened. I’m so sorry for Ambra and Monica who was involved in the fall». A mix of emotions, because Martina knows she has done something extraordinary: «I am flying». And that is right, it is sport, it is life. With this victory she became the most medaled and successful athlete in the history of Paralympic athletics.with three gold medals and four silver medals in four editions of the Paralympics.
Ambra’s words are touching Sabatini after the race, between tears and very strong emotions: “I’m in shock. I was there mentally and physically, I was charged. I was there, at the finish line, I could see the line, I was touching it. Unfortunately I also hurt Monica and I’m sorry. It went badly, I wanted to give the medal to my parents and to those who were here, but I couldn’t. I’ve endured a lot, I’ll endure this too.” Ambra then got a little relieved by Monica’s bronze. She had had problems in recent months, stopping her preparation for weeks, with a strong cough that had also led to the fracture of two ribs: «It wasn’t easy, but I gave it my all. I was there until the last second, I wanted to end this Paralympics on a high note, instead there is so much bitterness. But I’m happy for Martina, she deserves it. I have so many opportunities ahead of me, now I’m starting a journey towards Los Angeles».
Ambra had always won in the two previous challengesalso putting in, both times, the world record, first female T63 to go under 14 seconds with 13”98. Contrafatto fell despite herself, tripping over Ambra who fell in her lane: “I feel sorry for her, it was our race, there are no words. There is regret, it makes you want to crybut something unexpected happened.” For her, a bronze after the review of the race, which repays her for an unexpected fall.
It ended like this the last dance. Beautiful, beautiful all the same, for having found a fantastic Martina Caironi in her last dance. Ugly, very ugly for the little girl Ambra Sabatini and the sharpshooter Monica Contrafatto and for anyone who lived their sporting drama from near or far. There remain three truly wonderful women who have turned what is considered weakness or even just a lack into strength, showing the beauty of the Paralympic movement.
The music ends for the Wonder Trio, but what they did will live on beyond history.
September 7, 2024 (edit September 7, 2024 | 23:25)
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