The strongholds that had supported Italy in the last editions of the O have failedcleaned. Fencing and shooting have not earned any gold and it is no coincidence that the Bel Paese actually risks finishing the Tokyo 2020 Games in his worst position in history in the medal table, doing even worse than Montreal 1976.
In London 2012 and Rio 2016 Italy had collected 8 golds, of which 5 came from fencing and shooting, therefore a good 62.5% of the total! Subtracting the titles of the disciplines in question, three statements would have remained to the tricolor team: the accounts add up if we look at the current situation …
GOLD MEDALS ITALY FENCING / SHOOTING IN LONDON 2012
Elisa Di Francisca (individual foil)
Women’s team foil
Men’s team foil
Jessica Rossi (trap)
Nicolò Campriani (3-position rifle)
GOLD MEDALS ITALY FENCING / SHOOTING IN RIO 2016
Daniele Garozzo (individual foil)
Nicolò Campriani (10 meter rifle)
Nicolò Campriani (3-position rifle)
Diana Bacosi (skeet)
Gabriele Rossetti (skeet)
The percentage, however high, was slightly lower for Beijing 2008 (37.5%) and Athens 2004 (40%). It can be seen, therefore, that over the last three decades the incidence of fencing and shooting (intended both as skeet shooting and target shooting) had progressively increased on the overall total of gold medals in Italy. Now that the gold-bearing veins of the mines have run out, the great difficulties emerge, which have been known for some time, to go and conquer precious metals in other shores. Taekwondo and rowing have responded presently, the hope is that it will also affect sailing and some other disciplines. Already a loot of 5 gold, in the current state of things, would be anything but despicable. It is clear that today Italy cannot do without fencing and shooting to hoist itself in the positions of rank of the medal table. Two strongholds to be rediscovered at all costs in view of Paris 2024, perhaps at the same time working on the creation of new mines in some sports that are showing evident growth, but not yet winning.
Photo: Lapresse
