In Narbolia, the multipurpose center "Peppino Pippia" cannot contain the hundreds of people who have come to celebrate Alessia Orro . The volleyball player of the Italian national team, fresh winner of the Olympics and named best setter of the competition, presents herself to her people in a white dress on which the gold medal around her neck stands out. She shakes hands, responds to all those who greet her in an orderly line and give her a smile.
Alessia finds her kindergarten teacher, who can't hold back her emotion. She finds her childhood friends, her people who have never stopped being close to her and supporting her since she left Sardinia for Club Italia, where she began her rise to the top of the world volleyball scene.
His smile won everyone over during the Olympic tournament: he conveyed serenity and the joy of living that adventure without pressure.
"The smile is my trademark, I'm happy that it was highlighted during the television shooting. It is a characteristic sign of my family, which has been infected by me."
So the gold medal also belongs to his family.
"Absolutely yes. Now I have to share this joy with my loved ones. I have two weeks of rest, I will need them to better realize everything I have experienced in the last few weeks. And in the meantime I live evenings like this, with so many people who make me live another happy moment."
Thanks to her and her teammates, you have conveyed a message of lightness and sharing. «I hope it serves to give further incentives to those, even in Sardinia, who want to approach this discipline. The message of a phenomenal team has passed, for intensity of play and strength of the group». And then there is Julio Velasco . «With him we prepare and play with a different mentality, without pressure, with the certainty that we will be able to give our best every minute of every match».
Not only a setter, the best in the Olympics, but also effective at blocking and serving. «I have seen and know other very strong and more experienced setters, who I follow. I still have to learn».
Did you follow the exploits of other Sardinian athletes in Paris?
«I was happy for the medals of Marta Maggetti and Stefano Oppo, to whom I sent a message after the silver».
Playing and winning an Olympic final is an event to remember. What is the night before the final like?
"Honestly, it was a simpler night than the others. I was very charged, but also very calm. I can say, I slept well."
Today Alessia Orro is among her people, her loved ones, she experiences first-hand the emotions of those who saw her grow and assert herself.
"I have to say thank you to everyone who supported me, I am aware that I have moved so many people, so many families. And I will never tire of repeating that being here in front of so many friends is an extraordinary emotion."
From Rio 2016 to the gold in Paris eight years later. A long journey.
«The Alessia of today would tell the Alessia of then not to give up, work makes up for accidents and disappointments».
Two weeks of rest, no matter where. The ticket to Milan is ready, destination Vero Volley, for a new adventure, the 24-25 season. She will face it from the height of an Olympic gold, which will force her to raise the bar again. A path that she will face with a smile, indeed.