Before placing in the archives the most expensive Olympic Games of the history, it is with pride that we stop for a moment on the triumphs of Italian women at Beijing 2008.
Accustomed to demonstrate our value with nude numbers, we see that 11 of the 28 medals won by the Italian team are victories of women: the gold and the bronze in fencing respectively of Valentina Vezzali and Margherita Granbassi; the bronze in Team fencing of Valentina Vezzali, Margherita Granbassi, Giovanna Trillini and Ilaria Salvatori; the silver in Canoe-Kayak of Josefa Idem; the gold in judo of Giulia Quintavalle; the gold in archery flight of Chiara Cainero; the gold of Elisa Rigaudo in march 20 km; the gold in the 200 metres freestyle of Federica Pellegrini; the silver in the 800 metres freestyle of Alessia Filippi; the silver in sailing of Alessandra Sensini; the bronze in cycling road of Tatiana Guderzo.
The national medals, more than ever dyed pink, confirms a trend: the affirmation of women in sports competitions is a reality with a solid basis.
The Italian women winning in Beijing have been the protagonists of beautiful sporting performance and of exciting tests of character.
We think in particular about Federica Pellegrini, who has not get discouraged by the defeat of 400 meters and has reacted with two world records and a gold, combative.
About Giulia Quintavalle, who has commented her victory: “I was afraid but I believed in me”, genuine.
About Valentina Vezzali, who enters the legend of foil with her third consecutive gold medal and runs with the thought to her son and her husband, vital.
About Chiara Cainero, who has thought before the decisive shooting: “Now I have to break them, I am entering to break them”, determined.
About Tatiana Guderzo, who has dedicated her victory to all young sports women in Italy, hoping that “it makes it clear that race cycling is not only for men”, conscious.
Extending the hope to all sports, the Alberghi delle Donne thank you, wonderful Italian women, for your triumphs in Beijing and for your tests of character, unforgettable and exciting!