Antonella Palmisano as Marcell Jacobs

The words of Antonella Palmisano

Change of technical leadership for Antonella Palmisano. The paths of the Olympic 20 km march champion (gold in Tokyo 2020) and Patrizio Parcesepe, the coach who led her to the most prestigious goals – two world bronze medals, the last of which in Budapest last August – are parting, after years of fruitful collaboration.

Telling the story, Palmisano herself: "Today – says the Fiamme Gialle blue – my technical collaboration with Patrizio Parcesepe is interrupted. È it was a very painful decision, which I never wanted to make. I consider Patrick one of the best technicians in the world, and in the long years spent side by side every day, I grew as an athlete and as a person. But like all extremely intense journeys, enthusiasm and wear and tear have inevitably alternated, and at this moment in my life and career, in order to face the Olympic year in the best possible way and achieve the goals I have set for myself, I need to walk a different path, one that will make me regain balance and serenity. The sports and life journey we made together, which led us all the way to the Olympic medal, will remain indelible for me, and I will treasure it" with gratitude".

From the federal president Stefano Mei, words of thanks for the work of Parcesepe (technical guide also of the’other Olympic gold medalist of the Italian march in Tokyo, Massimo Stano) and support for Palmisano: "Their collaboration has given to the’Italian Athletics extraordinary satisfactions and emotions. We will stay close to both Antonella and Patrick to enable both of them, in their respective roles, to continue producing the great results they have achieved so far".