Home » Legendary Porcellato, he is silver at the age of 51 «My motto? Always believe in it, never give up “

Legendary Porcellato, he is silver at the age of 51 «My motto? Always believe in it, never give up “

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Infinite athlete: 11 entries, 14 medals. Disabled due to an accident when he was 18 months old, he dedicates it to his brother “in heaven”

Mattia Toffoletto / TOKYO

Infinite, eternal, unparalleled. If Bebe Vio is the world commercial of Paralympism, Francesca Porcellato rhymes with legend. The numbers say it all: on the eve of 51 years (it will turn on 5 September), the Red Volante makes the eleventh participation in a Paralympic match coincide with the medal number 14. And, if that were not enough, in the time trial (H1-H3) which open the para-cycling program, he also manages to improve: silver, after the bronze in Rio 2016.

As a pioneer of Paralympism, the first two titles in athletics in Seoul ’88 when live TV was a chimera, an extraordinary example of longevity. A myth of versatility that has collected podiums in three different disciplines (there was also a foray into the Winter Games in cross-country skiing), always going further. Because with Francesca every goal represents a starting point, every medal contains a new goal to be achieved. Every Paralympic, regardless of age, is never the last.

“Never say never with me,” he said before flying to Tokyo and treating himself to yet another satisfaction on the Mount Fuji circuit. Concept reaffirmed with the third medal of para-cycling around his neck (after the two bronze medals of Rio), unleashing a joke that enhances the sporting eternity of the champion from Poggiana, transplanted for twenty years in Valeggio sul Mincio: ” like red wine: the older I get, the more I get better ».

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And it is likely that, in the last few hours, the mind has traveled a lot, first of all rethinking the casual approach with the handbike: it used it for the summer training of cross-country skiing, the insistent “courtship” of the Italian city Mario Valentini and the desire to bet on itself for the umpteenth time. In Brazil she had become the first parathlete in the world to collect medals in three sports, in Tokyo she managed to climb a step. A masterpiece that fills Francesca with enthusiasm. Because you never get used to companies, because they manage to live any race with the momentum of the first day.

A message for everyday life. That the champion sums up effectively on social media: «If it’s a dream, don’t wake me up. Always believe in it and never give up ». Lessons of life that find further emphasis in the post-race declarations (German title Zeyen, today the online test): «A result that gives me so much joy, because after all these years I am still on top of the world. My motto is “always believe in it, never give up”: I am proud of myself, of being Italian and of contributing to the growth of Paralympic sport ».

But Porcellato is also modest: the Paralympic sport did not make him grow, he almost kept him at baptism. Of course, the Paralympics, for the first time, were disputed in Rome 1960. But what would they be today, without the Porcellatos who in the Eighties and Nineties took on their shoulders a movement with small numbers and made it known to the whole world with memorable feats? What would they be without the battles of the pioneers, who have ensured visibility and prestige, inspiring the new generations? Pushing thousands of disabled children to play sports, leaving the backyard? But Porcellato’s latest venture, paraplegic since she was 18 months after being hit by a truck, is enriched with extra-sporting meanings. And not only because his deeds are an example for everyone, because his determination becomes a school of life. The gaze turned to the sky does not escape the award ceremony. Indeed, to those who are up there show the silver medal as well. And it is easy to understand the reference to his brother, who passed away a couple of years ago: «He was four older than me, but we felt like twins», he said in a previous interview, «A special brother. A playmate who helped me a lot in my disabled condition. My biggest fan. Now he is a little angel, to whom I hope to reserve a special dedication to Tokyo ».

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No sooner said than done. Enhancing the world of sport for the umpteenth time. To the delight of husband-coach Dino Farinazzo and family members in Poggiana: mother Rita, sisters Flora and Silvana, ten grandchildren. –

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