Athletics, Palmisano also changes technical leadership: goodbye to Parcesepe

It is a time of great changes in Italian athletics. After the sensational divorce of the Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs from his coach Camossi, comes the decision of another gold champion in Tokyo to change coach: Antonella Palmisano. The paths of the Olympic 20km race walking champion (gold at Tokyo 2020) and of Patrizio Parcesepe, the coach who led her to the most prestigious goals – including two world bronze medals, the last of which in Budapest last August – are separate, after years of fruitful collaboration. Palmisano herself tells it: “Today – says the Italian from the Fiamme Gialle – my technical collaboration with Patrizio Parcesepe ends. It was a very painful decision, which I never wanted to make. I consider Patrick one of the best coaches in the world, and in the long years spent side by side every day, I have grown as an athlete and as a person. But like all extremely intense journeys, enthusiasm and wear and tear have inevitably alternated, and in this moment of my life and my career, to best face the Olympic year and achieve the objectives I have set for myself, I need to take a different path, which helps me find balance and serenity. The sporting and life journey we made together, which led us to the Olympic medal, will remain indelible for me, and I will cherish it with gratitude.”

President Mei’s comment

—

From the federal president Stefano Mei, words of thanks for the work of Parcesepe (also technical guide of the other Olympic gold medalist of the blue march in Tokyo, Massimo Stano) and of support for Palmisano: “Their collaboration has given Italian Athletics satisfaction and extraordinary emotions. We will stay close to both Antonella and Patrick to allow both of them, in their respective roles, to continue to produce the great results achieved to date.”