Paris 2024 Olympics, Arianna Errigo furious with referee

The words of Arianna Errigo

Arianna Errigo spoke after her defeat cost her access to the semifinals of the women’s individual foil tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympics. "It’ obvious that it was not the result I was hoping for, è it was a complicated day (like for everyone at the Olympics). I started badly, I made a second match by shooting very well against the Frenchwoman supported by a great cheer, then against Scruggs in the decisive moments I handled it badly, not in the best way, I always had to chase her (8-2, 11-6 and then 14-11 for the American, ed.) and on the last hit I don’t agree but my sport è also this. I made a mistake becauseé coming 14-14 with a decision entrusted to the’referee exposes you to this result, I should not have come to this situation".

"I am sorry, not sad. I know how hard I worked to be here, one year and four months after the birth of my children (twins Mirea and Stephen, ed.) but I cannot be sad. I am here as a flag-bearer, the most beautiful thing an’athlete can aspire to. If anything, I am excited and è beautiful that still at 36 years old I can feel these emotions that maybe one might think are lost with habit. Instead è like the first time. Plus; I am a flag bearer and I have a wonderful family. Getting here was not è a walk in the park so I am sorry, but I would not be a’better athlete and person with another medal around my neck, so I am happy". 

Inevitabie a comparison with Rio 2016: "Then I was destroyed, desperate, it took me days to recover. Here now I go out, I go to my family, I see my children and I am happy. What è changed? I am different me because of my family and because all these years have taught me that there’è;s a life outside the fencing podium as well, there doesn’t have to be only fencing. Per’è I’m sorry. I wanted to win today".

" I cannot hide that this was not the result I wanted. However, I am out because of an arbitration error, the'last hit was mine", concluded the Brianzola.