Andrea Sironi’s double gold medal told us about the 25th edition of the “Life Saving” worldwide transplanted games
Sense of belonging and family. The “World Transplant Games” are much more than a simple sporting event: they represent a container of bonds, memories and moments of life that unites over 2,000 people from more than 50 different countries all over the world. “Here there is no rivalry, you find yourself for breakfast with all transplanted people, you can breathe an incredible air”, says Andrea Sironi, 61 years old, winner of two golds in the 200 freestyle (under three minutes) and in the 200 mixed (below four) in the swimming category. The frame was Dresden (Germany), where the 25th edition of the World Walmarks Games was staged from 17 to 24 August, a two -year event that brings together different ethnic groups and generations (from 6 years to over 80) under a single passion: sport. “It is like an Olympiad: there are about 17 disciplines. The Italian team is organized by an association called Aneds. This year we were 58 Italians, few compared to the 280 British, first in the medal. We Azzurri have arrived seventh (27 gold, 18 silver and 15 bronze, ed)”.
Healthy family and rivalry
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President of the Bocconi University of Milan, of Assicurazioni Generali and the AIRC Foundation for Cancer Research, for Sironi it was the second participation in the “World Transplant Games”, after the 2019 edition of Newcastle (two bronzes). “It is an event to celebrate the life that we have all received as a gift. We are all transplanted ‘Life Saving’ (heart, lungs, liver, kidneys …). Here you can breathe a family air. The rivalries are healthy: I have it with an American, an English and an Australian. Sometimes they win them, sometimes me. A little like Sinner and Alcaraz”, continues Sironi. In addition to the two golds, he conquered the bronze in the 50 freestyle and in the 50 frogs, and the silver in the 100 freestyle: “It was a great emotion, I did not expect the two golds. I struggled in the butterfly tub, but I went beyond my expectations. I did not follow a specific preparation, only a few training: the races here go by age groups, I was in that 60-69. Go well: in addition to me, I also want to mention Gabriele Marrucci, gold in the 100 frogs, and Giona Atadorisio, 9 years old, gold in swimming and silver in the long jump “. Sironi then expands the discussion to other disciplines, such as cycling: “Ermanno Manenti (two golds, ed.) And Enrico Dell’Acqua (one gold, editor’s note) have been very strong. But also in basketball Italy has done well”.
structures and inclusion
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Supported by his wife Barbara and two of his three children (Enrico and Matteo), Sironi also wanted to emphasize the quality of the facilities that hosted the event: “We athletes are scattered in several hotels, then we get together in a congress center. Dresden is full of sports facilities: the swimming pool is Olympic, there is a large stage of athletics and numerous fields for other disciplines”. Then he gives a gem: “Sometimes, when maybe an elderly athlete struggles to end the tank, a total incitement starts by the public in the stands, almost from a stadium. The inclusion is absolute”. In short, the “World Transplant Games” -born to promote the donation of organs and sensitize the importance of post -transplant health -represent a moment of leisure, but above all of relationships, smiles and friendships with people from all over the world. “The beauty is that we meet again every two years: the next world games will be held in Belgium in 2027”. Even there, the goal will be to include, and maybe create some new friendship. Because families, especially those made of friends, build themselves like this.
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