The two young sprinters could be called up for the relay In basketball Marco Spissu with Italy will have to perform a miracle in Belgrade
SASSARI. For them, the Olympic dream is just a step away. Gymnast Nicola Bartolini, 200m queen Dalia Kaddari and sprinter Lorenzo Patta await the final decision. In or out. Very young, rising stars or already established champions.
Nicola Bartolini, artistic gymnastics.
25 years old, from Quartu, he is one of the strongest blues in the national gymnastics team. At the last European Championships in Basel, Switzerland, he climbed the continental podium for the first time, in the free body: he is the fourth Italian after Franco Menichelli, Juri Chechi and Andrea Cingolani. His career began at the age of 4 when his mother enrolled him at Amsicora, in Cagliari. The technician Giampaolo Murtas immediately understands the potential of that child who does not stop doing somersaults. Become famous to the general public thanks to the Gymnast-Parallel Lives ”, broadcast on MTV. A bad injury prevents him from participating in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, Tokyo could represent his redemption. «I have dreamed of the Olympics ever since I was a child. In Basel I came close to qualifying, now I just have to wait. There is only one free seat, the other two are occupied by Marco Lodadio and Ludovico Edalli. I hope to be the third ». He’s engaged.
Dalia Kaddari, 200 meters and 4×100.
20 years old, from Cagliari, she began practicing athletics in the Tespiense Quartu in 2014. In 2018 she won the silver medal in the 200 meters at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, achieving the best Italian performance in the student category with 23 “45. In 2019 signs the Italian record under 20 in the indoor 200 meters with a time of 23 “93, lowered to 23” 85 on 9 February 2020. On 30 August 2020 she becomes the Italian champion of the 200 meters. On 15 September 2020 in Bellinzona, she does the best Italian performance under 20 of the 200: 23 “23. At the Golden Gala Pietro Mennea established the new staff: 22 ”86. Now Dalia wants to run fast to Tokyo. «I’ve always dreamed of qualification, my goal is the relay». She is engaged and loves to paint her nails before hitting the dance floor.
Lorenzo Patta, 100 meters and 4×100 meters.
21 years old, from Oristano, he starts playing football at La Palma Monte Urpinu. He discovered the slopes only five years ago, at the Student races. Since 2018 he has dedicated himself exclusively to athletics. His 100m record is 10, 13, set a few months ago. He was the last 4×100 fractionist who won silver at the European Under 20 Championships in 2019. Now he hopes to try again in Tokyo. Graduated, he lives and trains in Oristano.
Luigi Datome and Marco Spissu, basketball.
They are the stars of the Italian national basketball team that will have to win the Olympic pass at the Belgrade tournament scheduled from 29 June to 4 July. Marco Spissu, 26 years old from Sassari, is the symbolic player of Dinamo. In the 2018-19 season he won the Fiba Europe Cup, the Sassari’s first European title, and nearly won the Scudetto by reaching game 7 against Reyer Venezia and at the end he will be voted as the best Italian player in the playoffs. In the following season he won the Italian Super Cup in the rematch against Reyer Venezia. Luigi Datome, from Olbia, plays in Olimpia Milano and is the captain of the national team. He will not be at the Belgrade tournament due to physical problems. (g.z.)