Less than twenty-four hours and the third edition of Invictus Games, the international sporting competition wanted by Prince Harry, and of which military personnel with permanent disabilities are taking part.
After London (2014) and Orlando (2016) is Toronto's turn. Twelve disciplines in which 23 athletes from 30 nations will race from 550 to 17 September. These include the 15 athletes of the Paralympic Defense Sports Group. To them, and particularly to the team captain, Lieutenant Colonel Gianfranco Paglia, a gold medal for the military, was entrusted by the head of state, Sergio Mattarella, the Italian flag.
"You will represent Italy with loyalty and courage, values that you have already given ample proof in life"Commented President Mattarella during the tricolor delivery ceremony. Also present are Defense Minister Roberta Pinotti and Defense Chief of Staff, General Claudio Graziano, who recently stressed that "Believe heavily in the therapeutic value of sport and in its ability to stimulate those who practice it to overcome limitations and barriers. By Commander - he added - I am very proud of what the Paralympics Defense Group has been doing in recent years and I look deeply into the tenacity and determination of our athletes who, in the practice of sport, have found the strength to continue fighting. "
And a special thought to those who are about to live the Invictus Games in Toronto comes from Colonel EI in the role of honor Carlo Calcagni who said: "This edition of Invictus Games in Canada will not be able to compete with other athletes in the Group because there is time for everything: a time to rejoice, a time to receive applause, a time to suffer and hope, but there is also a time to make room, to give the opportunity to another colleague, who was also hurt to honor the homeland, to dedicate them, though in other ways, to her time, her desire, and her energies. Today, I think it is time to offer those who for the first time are honored to be part of this group of new heroes the opportunity to return to Italy perhaps with the three gold medals I have been in the edition of Florida in the 2016, or even just the burden of that spirit of participation, sharing and dignity that breathes on occasions like this, so that it can benefit from it for its personal recovery and convey it to those who have not yet been able to appreciate what life, often even more in suffering, gives us as unique and wonderful gifts. "
"What matters is, however, to be able to experience wonderful emotions and to be able to tell, to share feelings and to transmit stories of pain and especially resilience: to be without being present " continued Calcagni. And if the GSPD from 2014 today grew in terms of participation, reaching 41 athletes, and in terms of medals: in 2014 in London were 5 and 2016 in Orlando and 11, there is only one wish to wolf to our athletes and to cheer for them.
(Photo: Ministry of Defense)
