Thanks to them, San Marino will only be known for its tourist spots, its pasta specialties and being the 5th smallest state in the world. Insignificant in sporting terms, this 60 km2 enclave located in the northeast of Italy, not very far from the beaches of Rimini, has just won the first two Olympic medals in its history thanks to its two shooters – Alessandra Perilli and Gian Marco Berti. Almost half of its delegation, since it includes five athletes with also a wrestler, a judoka and a swimmer!
Two days ago, Perilli (33) helped his country become the smallest to win a medal at the Games in the modern era. After bronze, the trap specialist covered herself with silver last night in mixed doubles with her 38-year-old compatriot. The duo could even have hoped for better, failing for gold against Spain only by one point (40-41), or a single target 11 cm in diameter!
Before arriving at the Asaka Shooting Center, Alessandra Perilli already had her little idea in mind. At the London Games in 2012, the flag bearer of her country had already qualified for the trap final. Second tied with two other competitors including Delphine Réau-Racinet (bronze), she was eliminated first in the jump-off for silver and bronze medals.
In such a small country, sport has nevertheless found its place. Baseball is played very well there, with a professional club that even won the European Cup 15 years ago. There is also a basketball championship. Rugby is one of the curiosities: a single club versed in the Italian championship and a selection … Of which we do not find the slightest trace of official match. The 7-a-side format is more popular, especially in continental events.
Of course, football does the best. With, one suspects it, a very weak notoriety. The national team, which has existed since 1986, played its first official match four years later, counting for Euro 1992 qualifiers, with a 0-4 loss against Switzerland. It then marked the spirits in November 1993 against England in the World Cup qualifiers, when Davide Gualtieri scored after only 8 seconds of play, before logically taking the water (1-7). The sky blue and white Squadra is now 210th out of… 210 teams in the Fifa world ranking.
Finally, for 25 years, San Marino was also known on the world stage because of its Formula 1 Grand Prix, before definitively disappearing from the calendar in 2006. The event was contested in Imola, a hundred kilometers higher, the area of San Marino does not allow to have a circuit. Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna have won there three times, far behind Michael Schumacher (6 wins).
