At the Olympic Games, Oristano was the first fractionist of the gold 4×100: «We made history». In the future the 200 meters: “I’d like to run them in Paris”
ORISTANO. From Tokyo he returned to Oristano with a gold medal around his neck, won with the 4×100 relay together with Marcel Jacobs, Fausto Desalu and Filippo Tortu. At the age of 21 Lorenzo Patta amazed the world, proving to be sure of his own means and running fast as his teacher, Professor Francesco Garau, taught him. «I am very happy to have been part of this relay race, it was fantastic – says Lorenzo, still excited -. Such a thing had never been seen before. Five medals in athletics, two in speed … No Italian had ever managed to enter a 100 meters final and that blessed Christian, Jacobs (laughs, ed) managed to win the gold medal. Impressive. In the final of the relay he gave us an incredible boost ».
It is not easy for Lorenzo to describe the sensations experienced on the Tokyo track. «Already the qualification was a first goal. When I started athletics, the Olympics were my dream. Then being in the final and fighting for a medal was something incredible, I haven’t achieved it yet. What we have done is something too big … We have made history, it is fair to say, I am very happy ». The Japanese experience was an opportunity to deepen the relationship with his relay team mates. «I did not know Marcell and Fausto personally, while I have known Filippo for a while. In Tokyo I formed a wonderful relationship with all three, they are exceptional guys, very nice ».
Despite being the smallest of the blue quartet, Patta has shown he can handle the pressure well. “They told me to stay calm. Those who spoke to me the most were Filippo and Marcel, because I had to switch with him. They tried to charge me, and they reassured me by saying that it would surely go well ».
Lorenzo’s love for sprinting was born quite late. «At 5 I started playing football and I stopped when I was 17. It was not easy, because it remains my greatest passion, my first love. I am a big fan of Roma, but, being Sardinian, I also sympathize with Cagliari. My favorite player is Totti, but I also admire Zola, Riva, De Rossi and Messi. With athletics I started at school, with student games. I competed and immediately finished second. Prof Garau then teased me: “In my opinion you have to try athletics, then let’s see how it goes”. From there it all started, I got passionate and at 18 I dedicated myself totally to athletics. Now I’m 21 and I hope to improve myself even more ».
The teachings of Professor Garau were decisive for his sporting and human growth. “Like me, he is a person of few words, maybe that’s also why we get on very well together. Before leaving he hugged me, telling me to rest assured, that it would certainly have been fine. After returning, he hugged me tightly and said: “What have you done!”. He didn’t expect us to win gold. A medal yes, but not gold. I saw him very excited and I thank him that he did not start crying, otherwise I would have burst into tears too. Now we will continue to work, as we always have. Muscles aren’t everything in athletics. Count how you put your feet on the ground and push. We will try to improve again ».
The sprinter of the Fiamme Gialle has clear ideas about his future: «Going below 20 ” in the 200 meters is my main objective and it is the most realistic one. My physique allows me to do 100 well but up to a certain point, going below 10 is difficult, while going below 20 is a goal more within my reach. I have always said that I feel more like a 200th driver and that I like the 200s more, running the curve. With the Prof we always work according to the 200, even during the winter. So in the future I see myself in the 200s. Among my myths there are Pietro Mennea and Livio Berruti. While among the Sardinians, when I started, I always admired prof Garau’s athletes: Giorgio Marras, Annarita Angotzi and Valentina Uccheddu, I saw them as otherworldly figures ».
The popularity that came after the great result in Tokyo does not bother him for now: «It is a huge pleasure for me to take a picture or exchange a few words with a child or an adult. Before, I was the one who asked the champions for photos and autographs. I’ve always liked it as a thing and I don’t see anything wrong with it. It makes a certain effect that they recognize me and stop me on the street, for the moment I can manage it well ».
If Paris 2024 remains the long-term goal, for Patta the competitive year is not yet over: «I still have to talk to the Prof, but between now and the end of the year I would like to do a couple of more races. I still don’t know if in Sardinia or in Italy, if in the 100s or in the 200s. In Paris I would also like to compete in the individual and see how I will manage ». And then there is the relay. . «In 4×100 we will have to confirm ourselves, of course. Going below 37 ” 50 is not easy, but if I improve and Filippo Tortu also, if Marcell Jacobs keeps up with those times and Fausto Desalu too, why not dream? Now we do not think about it, but we hope, a lot. The European record is close and we aim to take it ».
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