The rich and diverse origins of the athletes who make up the Italian team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Starting with Marcell Jacobs, an athlete of diverse origins: mother from Brescia and Texan father, born in the United States and raised on the shores of Lake Garda. From there, Jacobs took off to fame with his legendary gold in the 100-meter dash (and 4x100 relay) at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago. While Jacobs is looking to reassert himself as champion, other Azzurri on this multi-ethnic team are preparing for their first Olympic victory. For example, sprinter Lorenzo Simonelli, recent European champion and promising 110m hurdler, is the son of an Italian anthropologist and a Tanzanian woman. Or Chituru Ali, son of a Nigerian mother and Ghanaian father, another extraordinary sprinter who will compete directly with Jacobs.

Then there is boxer Aziz Abbes Mouhiidine, a 25-year-old heavyweight born in Solofra, Avellino, with a Moroccan father who came to Italy to study engineering and met Aziz's mother in Campania. Mouhiidine, winner of two silver medals at world championships, does not let prejudice affect him: “There is always a stupid person who offends you because of your origin or skin color, but I respond with a smile and move on”.

In boxing, Sirine Charaabi, an Italian-Tunisian who has been showing her talent in the ring since the age of 13, also stands out. When she came of age, she wrote to President Sergio Mattarella asking for citizenship as a gift: “I am proud of my origins, but I feel very Italian. I came here with my family when I was 2 years old, I did all my schools here, and Italian is my first language.” Without citizenship, she could not compete officially for Italy, although the boxing federation called her for friendlies and training. Now, being an Italian citizen, she fights in the Olympic Games for our country.

Zaynab Dosso and Ayomide Folorunso, from Africa, are two prominent sprinters in Italian athletics. Zaynab, of Ivorian origin, is a super sprinter in the 100 meters and will run the 4x100 in Paris. She arrived in Italy in 2009, joining her family and obtained citizenship in 2016. Ayomide, 27, is the daughter of an extraordinary mother who emigrated alone to Italy in 2001. “I caught up with my mother in Fidenza when I was 8 years old, and now I study to become a pediatrician. I proved that I can do both well, studies and athletics,” she says proudly.

Lorenzo Minh Casali, a gymnast born in Vietnam and adopted by an Italian family from Le Marche, has a story of determination. “Minh is the only thing I have left from Vietnam, along with my features. I've never been there nor have I ever looked for my biological parents. Maybe I'll travel there on vacation in the future, but now I'm only thinking about the Games.”

From Eastern Europe, Sofiia Yaremchuk from Lviv, Ukraine, came to Rome out of curiosity and hasn't left it since. She obtained Italian citizenship for sporting merits in five years and is a marathon runner for our national team. Daniela Mogurean, a Moldovan rhythmic gymnast who grew up in Mestre, has already won an Olympic bronze in Tokyo. “As a child I moved to Venice, then I lived in Padua and was a reserve for the Italian national team for a long time.” Now she is a mainstay of the team.

Andy Diaz, Cuban triple jumper, decided to come to Italy after an injury halted his career in Cuba. “Italy put me back on my feet, gave me the gift of citizenship and I hope to reward it with a good performance at the Olympic Games.” Gabriel Soares, Brazilian, arrived in Italy with his mother looking for a new start. Now, he is a pure talent in rowing, proving that he could have excelled in any sport.

Maggie Eileen Pescetto, born in Ireland to an Irish mother and half-Italian father, grew up in Italy. “I tried sailing, but it wasn't fun for me, kitesurfing was an excellent decision, as I gave myself over to the competitiveness.” Now he is a mainstay in kitefoil. Andreas Sargent Larsen, a Dane with an Italian mother, is a champion ornamental jumper. Sarah Jodoin Di Maria, a jumper with a Canadian mother and Calabrian father, was born in Montreal, but fell in love with Rome and its culture.

Each of these athletes represents not only the best of Italian sport, but also the diversity and richness of their origins, bringing their personal and cultural stories to the Olympic stage.

Good luck to all our Italian athletes!

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