The Cagliari player was one of the reserves of the relay with Manenti and Infantino «I hoped until the end, I was ready. Congratulations to my companions ”
SASSARI. Wanderson Polanco, 23, “sarDomenican” on Instagram (Dominican parents but Sardinian by adoption), graduate in Sports Science, arrived at the Tokyo Olympics as a reserve for the gold relay. Instead of one of Patta, Jacobs, Desalu and Tortu, he could have been on the podium.
How does it feel to have touched a piece of sporting history?
«In Tokyo for the relay we arrived in seven: in addition to the winners, I, Manenti and Infantino, as reserves. The formation had already been decided before leaving for Tokyo, and it was the one that won the gold, the national coach Di Mulo had been very clear. It is obvious that he hoped to the last in a case of fate, I was ready. physically in excellent condition, Jacobs’ victory in the 100 meters had given me an incredible charge. Unfortunately there was no last minute replacement so I was left out. Disappointed? As an athlete I thought and rethought that it could have been me instead of one of them. As a fan, however, as soon as I realized they had won the gold I started screaming at the top of my lungs, it was a magical moment: Patta, Jacobs, Desalu and Tortu were fantastic, they gave us a dream. Jacobs then made an extraordinary feat in the 100 meters ».
The Magnificent 4 immediately dedicated the victory also to her, to Manenti and to Infantino.
«Yes and I thank them, but the medal is a personal thing, the gold was won by Jacobs, Patta, Tortu and Desalu, not the three of us who remained in the stands watching. In sport, unfortunately, as in life, there are those who run and those who watch ».
During the preparation for Tokyo you will have tried the changes. In which fraction should he have run?
«In the second or fourth, instead of Jacobs or Tortu: my chances of running the relay were really low. Maybe I could have had better luck as the first fractionist, but I took that chance because in some races I had problems with the blocks: disqualified for false start. In an Olympics you cannot afford such a mistake ».
And then Lorenzo Patta entered as the first fractionist.
«Lorenzo this year set the second best time in the 100 meters with 10”13, behind only Marcell Jacobs and before Tortu, third. I, on the other hand, are only the fifth, with 10 ” 26. This year I raced with Lorenzo at the Italian indoor championships, I knew very well that he was strong and he proved it. That gold he deserved it all, like the other three, on the other hand. “
You have the fifth Italian time in the 100 meters with 10”26, we always talk about stellar times.
«We are running faster and faster and there are kids around to keep an eye on. In the coming years the speed will hold us some nice surprises ».
Upcoming engagements?
«At the end of the month the international meeting in Rovereto and in September the Galà dei Castelli in Bellinzona, Switzerland. I would like to end the season well, perhaps improving my staff ».
In a few days he leaves Turin, where he lives, and goes to Cagliari, to his family.
“I’ll train at Amsicora, my track.”
Will we meet again in Paris 2024?
“We are more likely to meet at Poetto than in Paris, I see it hard.”