Jacobs was the symbol of the Olympics: revolution in sprinting

It was a beautiful and surprising Olympics, but basically we weren’t expecting anything else. How long had we hoped for a hundred-meter gold? A life. The Games are a fantastic sporting event, but at the same time the most dispersive that exists. Two weeks and more of competitions, a blender of numbers, emotions, stories, which are condensed, when everything is over, in a few memorable moments. In the most generous editions of successes for the Azzurri, hardly an Italian was the symbol of the Games. In Tokyo, Marcell Jacobs certainly succeeded in this feat as well. For the first time in the centuries-old history of the Olympics, the fastest man arrives from a country overlooking the Mediterranean. A revolution that shifts the center of gravity of the world sprint to a new and unexpected geographical area that it generates a series of inferences and allusions about how Jacobs has won, frankly annoying. The relay, with a moving Tortu, gave this sign even more strength, putting Italy at the center of the world sprint.

The other greats of this Olympics, from Dressel to Kipchoge, from Titmus to Warholm to Thompson, bring important technical results, in some cases admirable, but do not have the explosive force of revolution. Over the weeks we will understand better the significance of this historic result, which Coni and the federation have a duty to support and to introduce in the country, in small companies, in schools. The work for the executives begins now. Great successes make sense if they start a school. The loneliest champion is the one who has no heirs. In swimming, which is the other Olympic discipline of excellence, we are in the midst of a generational change. Swimmers in their twenties showed remarkable qualities, a sign that our tradition is alive. Paltrinieri would be important to continue until Paris, because he has the quality and strength to remain at the top of the world for another three years. Federica Pellegrini could accompany this renewal, if she wishes: she embodies a unique heritage of experience, efforts and successes. The goal for Paris in three years is to recover in the disciplines where we are a leading country, such as fencing and shooting. But above all we have to bring our teams to the end.

Volleyball, both male and female, disappointed and remained far below its standards. That it is the fault of the social networks seems to me an understatement, the fact remains that technically the teams, especially the women’s one, are worth much more than they have shown. And it is a fact that the stars Zaytsev and Egonu have been constantly undertone. The same goes for world champion water polo, which is, however, an infinitely smaller movement in size, albeit with a glorious history behind it, which other Italian team sports do not have. Basketball didn’t have much ambition after snatching the qualification. It is not clear, however, why France will reach the final against the United States while Italy will be satisfied with an apparently not unforgettable appearance on the Olympic parquet. I don’t know if it would have gone differently with Belinelli and Datome, I know they had better be there.

However, our medal table, as well as rich and record-breaking, is also varied: many disciplines have contributed to reaching 40. Each is important, each deserves respect, care, attention. We have seen fantastic athletes, many live on salary, they work in the police, in the financial police, in the carabinieri, in the armed forces. Most have no managers to thank, but their grandparents. But when we talk about Italian excellence in the world, we talk about them.