The biggest medal, for the smallest (or almost) nation. Everyone at the shooting range waiting for Jessica Rossi, or Silvana Stanco (who does not go beyond fifth place) and here at the bottom of the Olympic pit is the historic bronze of San Marino, the first in five circles for the inhabitants of the Titan. To win him an Italian, San Marino, however, for family and love: Alessandra Perilli, 32 years old from Rimini, former blue in the youth, who in 2009 chose San Marino “because my mother is from there” and made the history of the Republic of Titano .
At the Asaka Shooting Range the gold medal was won by the Slovakian Zuzana Rehak Stefecekova, silver to the American Kayle Browning, then Perilli, certainly not an impromptu presence – it is worth clarifying immediately – on an Olympic podium and surroundings.
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Emotion
«It is an immense emotion, I finally go to the podium after nine years of sacrifices and after London, where I was fourth and I was disappointed. I don’t know if I would have been able to wait another three years. I am very happy, but I have a bit of regret because this final could have been even better. But that’s okay, it’s San Marino’s first medal, and now I don’t know what will happen there. Am I a heroine? Let’s not exaggerate ». Thus Perilli, who at the 2012 London Games, in the race won by Jessica Rossi, had closed off the podium in five circles. “I still don’t believe it. I went to shoot and the only thing I thought was: “I can’t finish fourth again, I don’t deserve it”. I really wanted this medal », he underlined after the competition. “I do this sport like a professional, it’s good for me, I love this sport, it’s my life”. «What changes from today for sport in San Marino? That young people must not give up, they must believe it. My motto is “never say never” and you never know in life what awaits you. Now in my future there is Paris 2024 », added the San Marino woman. «A dedication? My family, my partner, my son were here with me to give me the energy and mental freedom to win this medal ».
Joy at the foot of the Titan
“It is a historic moment for the Republic of San Marino and for an entire community of people who have gathered around the work of Alessandra Perilli”. Thus the Secretary of State for Sport in office of the Republic of San Marino, Teodoro Lonfernini, commented on Perilli’s bronze in trap shooting. A medal that is the landing (and, why not? Also the new starting point), of a journey begun from afar: “Behind this medal there is the work of programming made by the Olympic committee and sports policy – has Lonfernini explained -, a commitment that sees the efforts paid off with the first Olympic medal in history, from 1960 with the first participation in Rome, and from 1959 when the San Marino Olympic Committee was established. Today every San Marino resident is in Tokyo around Alessandra Perilli and can’t wait to be able to embrace her again on her return ».
«It is an immense joy, merit and congratulations to Alessandra who has been working hard for 12-13 years. She missed the podium in London but she deserved this, it is a historic result ”, commented the president of the San Marino Olympic Committee, Gian Primo Giardi. “In her career she was also first in the world ranking and deserved the medal,” Giardi reiterated. In short, a great party is preparing in the shadow of the Titan. A fully deserved five-circle party.