Triathlon, the Gala in Milan from 7pm live streaming on Gazzetta.it

Tonight’s Triathlon Gala (live streaming from 7pm on gazzetta.it) in Milan celebrates a rapidly growing movement. Riccardo Giubilei has been at the helm of Fitri for two years.

President, what are the reasons to celebrate the double anniversary of your mandate?

“We are at 30,000 members, with an increase of 12% every year: 19,000 men, 11,000 women, of which 27,000 are agonists but only because the other 3,000 are too young. I am proud that our Federation does not have members who are only managers. We organize around 500 races a year. And in two years, thanks to important sponsors, we have doubled the budget: from four million to eight”.

How important would an Olympic medal be for the final explosion?

“It would be the culmination of an in-depth work undertaken immediately to increase the base, with large investments in youth activity. But we are used to thinking by addition and not by subtraction: by expanding the movement, results arrive, and it cannot be only the results, even if they are prestigious, that lead people to the triathlon”.

How close are we to an Olympic podium?

“In the meantime, our Paralympic triathlon is already world-class: at the Tokyo Games we won a silver and two bronze medals. In the Olympic team, we have 5 athletes among the top 35 in the world (Sarzilla, Pozzatti, Steinhauser, Zane and Seregni) and we start from 7th place in Betto and 8th in the medley relay in Tokyo. For superstition I won’t say anything, but I’m sure we’ll improve. We are facing a generational change that will give us great satisfaction”.

Are you involving schools?

“We started a project with 22,000 elementary and middle school students and 112 school complexes involved. And we distribute 30,000 euros in scholarships to those who are competitive. Our mission is to get kids back to physical activity after Covid”.

Is it hard to get the message across that triathlon isn’t just for supermen?

“Absolutely not. It is a discipline that has all the characteristics required of a 21st century sport: contact with nature, movement in the open air, environmental sustainability. And then it rests on three pillars of human motor activity: running, swimming, cycling. As for the fact that it is tiring, I tell you that in competitions I give trophies to triathletes ranging from 6 years old to over 90”.

Once upon a time it was said that those who had not emerged in one of the three disciplines did triathlon.

“The perspective has been reversed: today triathletes are born. And if anything, when you discover that you excel in one of the three disciplines, you change. Always bearing in mind that by now no one gives up on the completeness of multisport preparation”.

“I have always been a supporter of a Minister of Sport. I hope Abodi can receive us”.