The World Race Walking Team Championships are back. I think of memories the last edition, held in Rome, even in the district of my wedding (Caracalla). As you may remember, Rome had got this event at the last moment, after the suspension of Russia. So I was looking forward to two days of athletics, but for the first time in 20 years of career that week I had a business trip that included Saturday, so I could only attend the second day, that of 50 km.
I get to the spot when the race has just started: they are still all in the group. There are not many people: I can choose the place with the most favorable view. I find one near a bench, where I can sit down from time to time in the initial stages. There is also an event merchandising kiosk: I buy an orange t-shirt and decide to wear it immediately. It's very hot.
One of the attractions of the race was the presence of a woman, who in the American team was not even the one with the worst PB. After all, even in the 10 km. youth of the day before Noemi Stella, if she had competed with boys, she would not have been the last of the Italians. She loses ground almost immediately, but for at least 20 km. she keeps a few athletes behind her, at the beginning a dozen. After the Italians she is always the most applauded. Those behind her quit, one after the other, until it remains last. Then she will also quit.
Among the public, I note De Luca's relatives, especially his nieces and nephews, with hand-written t-shirts dedicated to their uncle. I meet also the boys of the junior race, who had competed the day before: they talk about a Belarusian phenomenon.
The leading group gets smaller, but almost all the Italians remain: only Caporaso loses ground. then they remain in 5: three Italians, Tallent and a Chinese. Then only Schwazer, Tallent and the Chinese are left. At one point, Tallent seems to take the lead: I think Schwazer will come third, but that's okay. Instead it's Schwazer to take off: 30 seconds, then 1 minute, then 2. De Luca remains 4th and Caporaso makes a great comeback, up to the 5th place.
I get to the spot when the race has just started: they are still all in the group. There are not many people: I can choose the place with the most favorable view. I find one near a bench, where I can sit down from time to time in the initial stages. There is also an event merchandising kiosk: I buy an orange t-shirt and decide to wear it immediately. It's very hot.
One of the attractions of the race was the presence of a woman, who in the American team was not even the one with the worst PB. After all, even in the 10 km. youth of the day before Noemi Stella, if she had competed with boys, she would not have been the last of the Italians. She loses ground almost immediately, but for at least 20 km. she keeps a few athletes behind her, at the beginning a dozen. After the Italians she is always the most applauded. Those behind her quit, one after the other, until it remains last. Then she will also quit.
Among the public, I note De Luca's relatives, especially his nieces and nephews, with hand-written t-shirts dedicated to their uncle. I meet also the boys of the junior race, who had competed the day before: they talk about a Belarusian phenomenon.
The leading group gets smaller, but almost all the Italians remain: only Caporaso loses ground. then they remain in 5: three Italians, Tallent and a Chinese. Then only Schwazer, Tallent and the Chinese are left. At one point, Tallent seems to take the lead: I think Schwazer will come third, but that's okay. Instead it's Schwazer to take off: 30 seconds, then 1 minute, then 2. De Luca remains 4th and Caporaso makes a great comeback, up to the 5th place.
After the last lap passage I head towards the Nando Martellini stadium, where the arrival will take place. I find it already crowded: I can only glimpse the finish line. When Schwazer crosses it, you hear only applause, no protest, even if you see some t-shirts with the phrase "Never thought to dope". The other Italians arrive 4th, 5th, 8th and 12th: we are therefore clearly team champions. Someone notes that we would have won even without Schwazer.
We all know that. if today we read the result, we find a different one. A few days later, a soap opera would begin, which is not over yet. I have no certainties on the subject, but I find it hard not to think that, if Schwazer had come third then, now he would still be competing. Regardless of whether he is guilty or innocent.
We all know that. if today we read the result, we find a different one. A few days later, a soap opera would begin, which is not over yet. I have no certainties on the subject, but I find it hard not to think that, if Schwazer had come third then, now he would still be competing. Regardless of whether he is guilty or innocent.
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