Julio Velasco explains how he convinced Paola Egonu and shows great respect for Davide Mazzanti

Julio Velasco explains how he convinced Paola Egonu

Paola Egonu è was a great protagonist at the Paris Olympics, where – in spite of the detractors, among other things not particularly competent – è was elected best player and where, above all, with her teammates of the national volleyball team she è put an historic gold medal around her neck.

Yet, until a few months earlier, the Venetian outfielder had left the Azzurri group due to a series of frictions with then-coach Davide Mazzanti. "Every coach makes difficult decisions. I respect those of others" Julio Velasco told Corriere della Sera in this regard.

The seasoned coach, with the daily newspaper of via Solferino, told of the relationship established with Paola, the key to his return to the national team: "The character was one thing, the person another’

. I know what that means. I was interested in talking to her. And to tell her that on certain things I’d always and in any case".

" I am and will be on her side about racism, pseudo-racism and innuendo. I specified to her that on the other things I would have treated her like all the others" the conclusion of the’man from La Plata.