Olympics, Bendotti: “Third Olympics, how exciting. I will have everyone cheering”

Davide Bendotti has overcome obstacles in life. Even when they seemed insurmountable. After losing his left leg to an accident in 2011, he chose snow and alpine skiing, becoming Italian champion several times. Those in Milan Cortina will be his third Paralympic Games.

Bendotti, are the reasons the same as for Pyeongchang 2018 and Beijing 2022?

“No, completely different. Pyeongchang was love at first sight: it was the first experience of that world-class caliber, such an important event to which we Paralympians are not always accustomed. In Beijing, however, I arrived more mature, with fewer emotions. It was also the Covid period, so the relational aspect was decidedly less. Milan Cortina brings with it an even stronger motivation but also more tension, pressure and expectations. The home athlete is particularly keen to do well and all this can be felt. That said, not it’s difficult to wake up in the morning and find the right motivation to train, on the snow or in the gym. The goal is really very important for everyone, but especially for us Italians.”

How much will competing in Milan Cortina matter? In which disciplines will we see it?

“It’s a dream, it’s not often that you can represent your country at the Olympics or Paralympics and doing it at the height of your career is truly special. In the two Paralympics in Asia it was difficult to be followed: you often had to wake up at night to watch the races. Instead, having the opportunity to compete here, at home, with family, relatives, friends, girlfriend who come up to cheer for you, but also with many people who maybe you don’t know but who follow you because Italian is something unique. Really, it will be a super exciting and super special experience. As for the disciplines, I should participate in all the races except the downhill: super-G, super combined, giant slalom and slalom.”

The message that Lilly wants to convey for Milano Cortina 2026 seems to be tailor-made for her.

“It suits me very much, my story and my life. The combination of sport and health always goes hand in hand: every day silent and constant work is needed to find solutions and take small steps forward which, in the end, lead to feeling well or feeling better. This applies both in the world of medicine, therefore in people’s lives, and in sport, which is made up of daily, discreet and continuous work, capable of leading – hopefully – to great results. You don’t wake up in the morning becoming world champions from nothing, and all the same This also applies to Lilly in its own area of development, research and innovation.”