The Vigevanese is the coach of the three Italian pole jumpers. “Even with all the restrictions I can enjoy the village”
VIGEVANO. The Olympics seemed a forbidden wish for Andrea Giannini, who was by adoption from Vigevano, who yesterday fulfilled his dream and that of those who play sports: he reached Tokyo late at night as head of the Italian pole vault team.
«I am very happy because there will be three athletes in the race, that is Roberta Bruni, Elisa Molinarolo and Claudio Michel Stecchi – Andrea smiles – the movement is growing and the demonstration is the record of jumpers present. I am satisfied with the work that the technicians and the boys do, since mine is only the task of coordinator. I would have signed up to bring two and instead there are three, I can only be happy ».
The three starters earned their qualification on the pitch. «You can’t mess around with the ranking anymore, because you also need to have consistency in the results – explains Manuela Merlo’s husband – it’s not enough to get a result, but to go to the Games you need to average the best five performances. It means that in Italy things are done seriously, not the competition ».
Giannini is in constant personal contact with all personal coaches.
«This is very important – affirms the technician from Vigevano – we discuss both the programming and any personal needs, if you need auctions or doctors and physiotherapists. At the beginning of the season we think about the activity, from the races to be faced to the objectives to be conquered. Personally, I worked a lot to give dignity to the pole vault sector and give it a structure. I started four years ago and I discovered that the technicians were prepared and worked conscientiously, but individually. I aimed to put these heads together and we succeeded, so most of the merit of the Olympic qualifiers goes to the Italian technicians, who are among the best ».
Giannini, therefore, as an athlete was unable to go there, but now he will go there as a technician. «I lived the 2014 Winter Olympics as a journalist – recalls Andrea – not being able to play an Olympics as an athlete remains one of my small regrets. I was not an Olympic medalist, but I have participated in all national and international competitions except the Games. It would have been the icing on the cake, but now I’m going as a technician and I’m very happy because the movement of the blue shaft is alive. On the other hand, even with all the restrictions due to the covid, I will be able to enjoy the Olympic village and the atmosphere that will be breathed in athletics competitions ».
Andrea Giannini is also the manager of Atletica Vigevano and Cento Torri: «At the moment I can only go to the stadium a couple of times a week, with the clubs I work with I always try to work carefully. Athletes from Milan, Bergamo and Cremona are coming to me, however the doors are always open also for the other clubs in the province ».