A few days after the athletic test rally in Modena, which will see our athletes gather to start a new path, we have the pleasure of interviewing a staple of Saronno Softball and the European champion national team, Fabrizia Marrone, whom we thank for availability. I usually start my interviews by asking how it all began, this time I start with the Tokyo Olympics, the highest milestone for athletes in any sport.
Tell us something about this tournament that probably left a bit of a bitter taste in the mouth, given that we came as European Champions and this perhaps raised expectations, even if the team itself played well, keeping up with its opponents. but, unfortunately, the victory did not come.
And then, what atmosphere do you experience in an Olympics, how is it to be in contact with the athletes of other strongest disciplines in the world?
“The Tokyo Olympics was the most important event of my sporting career. I am honored to have represented our nation, Italy.
Singing the anthem in the Olympic stadium is one of the things that moved me the most, but singing it hugged to my teammates after the journey we spent together was the greatest emotion. Fresh from the European title, we hit those fields with our heads held high right from the start, the level of play was really high. Italy has represented two continents in the world. Italy sweated, fought and eventually won the qualification.
Who wouldn’t want to win games at the Olympics?
I do not deny this, I am sincere. But sport and softball teach us that you don’t always win. But it also depends on what meaning you give to the term “victory”. It happens that people judge the fact that we have not brought home wins, but what are the victories for you? We cannot judge the tip of the iceberg without seeing the mountain below. If I am convinced of one thing, it is that Italy, despite everything, with its head held high, won. “
The European won by the National Softball team is a European won by running, I would say, since you have had a score of 11 wins in as many games and you in particular have packaged a 5/11, 357 by AVG and other good numbers.
“The victory of the European Championship was very important. We overwhelmed any team that came close to us, we had a lot of fun and then the fact of having won the title at home made us even happier and prouder. I have indelible memories. “
Let’s go back to Italy, after the last championship with the Saronno Softball jersey, which you finished with an MB of 414, 8 SB, an SLG average of 707, what do you expect from next season?
“The 2021 Italian championship I can say has given me a lot of satisfaction. It was not a simple championship, on the contrary it was a really difficult year. Started in the most tragic of ways. The death of Enrico Obletter devastated me and all the strength, passion, desire and courage that he transmitted to me have vanished.
And it took some time to find all this, but more than finding them, I realized that he taught me to fight and not give up for a reason. And the reason is precisely this, to move forward, overcome difficulties despite the pain and never give up. And I thank him for the umpteenth time for teaching me so much in life. As for next season, I’m looking forward to the start of the championship to get back on the pitch, train with my team and have fun! “
And now the classic question, how did you start playing softball?
“I started playing when I was 10. I got to know this sport thanks to my first coach who came to my school to introduce us children to this wonderful sport. From there I added softball to the many other sports I played. Gradually I left the other sports and dedicated myself 100% to softball and from there I never stopped. “
Let’s change the subject for a moment. November 25 is the world day against violence against women.
You, together with the other Olympic athlete Giulia Longhi (3b of the National Softball team), participated in an event organized by the municipality of Vezzano Ligure, where the violence in sport was discussed.
Speaking of which, to your knowledge, is there violence and / or discrimination in the world of softball?
“I was lucky enough to participate in this very important event which dealt with a very sensitive topic: violence against women and gender-based violence in sport. Unfortunately yes, violence and discrimination exist in our sport. Precisely for this reason it is important to combat this phenomenon with information, launching public awareness initiatives towards a change that affects the whole of society. “
In closing, Fabrizia, you are among those called for the next meeting of the National team for athletic tests, what do you expect from the blue jersey and how will the course of the National team after the Olympics be in your opinion?
“I am very happy to be among those called up for the next national team meeting. For now, I am focusing on physical preparation on a daily basis. In the future, Italy will have many European and international commitments. We are working to continue to grow and raise the Italian flag. “
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