« When I run I feel alive, I love the competition. Athletics keeps me awake at night, it's a daydream for me." Filippo Tortu has just finished training in a crowded Arena Civica in Milan, a little stretching to loosen the muscles, a relaxed tone of voice. The temperature is warm, the atmosphere relaxed, there is a foretaste of spring that gives confidence. 2023 will be a fundamental year for him, two years after the Olympic Triumph in Tokyo in the 4x100 together with his close friend Lorenzo Patta, for which he is preparing in the best possible way. « I feel good and it's not a small thing», he repeats as he looks at the emerald green tartan of viale Giorgio Byron, his privileged stage, the scene of daily workouts, guardian of efforts, dreams and hopes.
Tortu, how's the preparation going?
« Everything is going well, I'm satisfied. It was a very long preparation, which began in October: in January I held a nice rally in the heat of Tenerife, next week I will do one in Rome with my national team relay mates. Compared to last year, we raced a bit more in the first stage, we always try to vary from year to year. Now we are getting into full swing, with the most intense sessions where we are speeding up from time to time».
When will it debut outdoors?
« I think at the end of April or towards the beginning of May. I think I'll race a 100 as a test but I could also do a 200 if the sensations are good. We will see".
How influential has it been to come from a family of athletes and, in particular, of sprinters?
« It was certainly important, my grandfather, my father Salvino - who is also my coach - and my brother were examples to follow. But none of them ever forced my hand to run, for my family it was essential that I play sports and have fun».
In his work team there are various people linked to Sardinia.
« Absolutely yes and I'm proud of this. My physiotherapist in the national team is Matteo Pusceddu from Arbus while here in Brianza I am followed by Mario Ruggiu who is originally from Bosa as regards physiotherapy, accessory strength and joint mobility».
What do you think of Samuele Ceccarelli's triumph over 60?
« I'm very happy for Samuele, it was incredible. I can't wait to meet him personally, we will meet next week in Rome for the rally with the other relay riders. In addition to being a very talented boy, he has great lucidity on his side: he was able to manage the rounds of the race very well, showing character and maturity. It is tenacity that makes a talented sprinter a champion."
She also ran an indoor 60 in 6''75 on January 29 in Stockholm but was not satisfied. What went wrong?
« Technically it didn't go badly, it was simply a bad day that can happen. Probably if I had raced the following week, I would have done a better time because the sensations were good. But I don't make a drama of this, let's look forward with enthusiasm ».
Let's go back to the Olympic triumph in Tokyo. What did you think when you saw Fausto Desalu approaching?
« Everyone thinks that in those moments I was very tense but that's not the case. I understood there that we could win, something clicked inside me, I was impatient to leave because I wanted to unleash my strength. In my head I was constantly repeating to myself as I ran: “stay relaxed, don't stiffen, raise your knees”. Lucidity is the trump card of an athlete».
A victory shared with his friend Lorenzo Patta.
« Yes, I'm a close friend of Lorenzo as well as Wanderson Polanco who was one of the reserves on that occasion. We talk often and when there is an opportunity we see each other. For me, seeing that there are so many Sardinian sprinters at the top like Luca Lai, Antonio Moro and Dalia Kaddari is a source of great pride».
When will he return to the island?
« Definitely at the end of June in Golfo Aranci where I have my house. I'll train at Fausto Noce in Olbia, a facility I'm very close to, then I'll come back to relax in September».
What are your favorite places?
« Cala Moresca beach, as well as Tempio where I have wonderful memories of dinners with my father's friends: for me Elio, Gerolamo, Giovanni, Attilio and all the others are people I love dearly».
On 13 October 2013 he won the Tricolori Cadets in Jesolo on 80 in 9''09. Would you ever have thought that athletics would become your life?
«Absolutely yes, I dreamed of it since I was a child. Then, when I arrived in the Students category, I became more and more aware of it».
What are your goals for 2023?
« Surely the focus will be on the 200m: I want to go under 20 seconds and get into the final at the World Cup. I'll do my best to do it: I love competition and confrontation with the strongest doesn't scare me. Only those who have the courage to aim high can make their dreams come true».
