"An incredible emotion." There are the tears of Marta Maggetti , a 28-year-old from Cagliari who grew up in malloreddus and seada, in the waters of Marseille.
She is the new Olympic windsurfing champion , and she dedicates her gold to an icon of Sardinian sport, Gigi Riva.
« An unexpected gold, I had very strong opponents, in particular the Englishwoman (Emma Wilson, big favorite who got the bronze) – and it was beautiful. An incredible emotion ."
An emotion that Marta Maggetti shares with Sardinia to which she is very attached. And for this reason in the dedications there is also space for a monument of the island. Someone who was not born in Sardinia unlike him, but from Leggiuno he chose it as his adopted land, becoming one of its most beloved children.
« Gigi Riva was great for all of Italy and for us Sardinians », declares the Olympian. Who also has other dedications to make: «To my family, to the technicians, to the federation, to the Fiamme Gialle who allow me to practice these sports that I love». And to Alessandra Sensini, Olympic windsurfing champion in Sydney 2000 who inspired her when, at the age of 8, she chose to dedicate herself to windsurfing : «She is a role model, it was wonderful to win a gold 24 years after hers».
She recognizes that she is as indomitable as the Sardinians, but she flies low: « It's true that I won a lot in the youth team, but this gold came as a surprise and I can't help but be happy », she smiles.
(Unioneonline/L)