Molinarolo, from the artistic to the world final: “Thanks to the Corpo Libero Gymnastic Team”
Armand Duplantis, pole vault world record holder, says that “our sport is a delicate alchemy: timing, consistency and speed combined together are needed. Talent alone is not enough”. This is why Elisa Molinarolo, even though today she is a world-class pole vaulter, to hone her talent, continues to practice the sport that marked her childhood: artistic gymnastics.
Elisa, from whom did you inherit your passion for artistic gymnastics?
“The credit goes to my sister Monica. She is 7 years older than me, I have always seen her as a model to follow. I watched her at home while she juggled flips and jumps; for this reason I decided to practice the same sport as her “.
“Very early, at 3 years old. Becoming an athlete has always been my goal. That’s why I moved from the province of Verona to Padua to chase my dream, competing in Serie A.”
Do you have a race that you remember with particular pleasure?
“In 2008 I had the chance to compete in the top French championship with the club from the Principality of Monaco! I trained for two days in their gym, a unique place in the world: inside a mountain, and one of the two ends was a window overlooking the sea. It was an incredible experience, both for the structure and for the competition with new teammates who later became friends.”
Why then did she convert to pole vaulting?
“Gymnastics gave me so much, it taught me determination, resilience, it made me love every single sport. Then I discovered pole vaulting, which I gradually improved thanks to my meeting with the Free Corps staff Gymnastics Team. Even though I wasn’t a member of theirs, they allowed me to train with them for years at the Palaindoor in Padua. I found a real sporting family, with a wonderful structure that helped me a lot. Inside there are equipment for gymnastics and athletics, so the two sports can compare and collaborate, creating an unparalleled combination”.
What are the sporting memories you are most attached to?
“Certainly the most recent, that is, those in athletics. Being the first Italian woman in a world final is the result that makes me most proud.”
How much did gymnastics help you in your career as a pole vaulter?
“They are two very similar disciplines. The physical preparation for the pole vault also involves artistic gymnastics: in my week of training there are two hours of flips and vaults. In short, I never often have to do the sport I practiced as a child “.
“Everybody in the field” is the initiative of the Selex Group, a leading large-scale retail company (Famila, A&O, on a national scale and over 20 local brands), dedicated to amateur sport. Until 19/11, customers of participating supermarkets, with their spending, can help support the amateur sports associations and clubs registered in the initiative by donating the “Sport Codes” received at the checkout, through the Tutti website and app in the field. ASDs and SSDs can access the online catalogue, thanks to which they can choose new equipment and infrastructures for their activities free of charge (www.tuttincampo.it). On the website you will find the over 1800 Selex Group sales points that are participating in the initiative.
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