Ambra Sabatini’s message goes straight to the heart: "Get back up, always"

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Champion in sports but especially in life Ambra Sabatini. She will be among the protagonists of Sky Inclusion Days on Tuesday, in an edition of the event dedicated to the values of respect and collaboration and to promoting mutual listening to different stories and experiences, between real and digital to spread change. Sportal.it interviewed her.

Many people think that sports is mostly about winning medals. Instead, what is sport really about for you?

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For me, sport is getting back up. Always. Even when you take a hit, even when everything goes wrong. That’s really where sport shows its true face: in the fatigue, in the difficulty, in discovering something more about yourself every day. It’s not just winning. It is falling and saying, “Okay, I’ll try again.” That’s the real meaning of sports, isn’t it?

How hard was it for you to get back up? How much strength did you have to put in?

There were several difficult moments. Sports can be tough, but it also has incredible strength. It gives you a lot, but it also takes away. I had injuries, forced stops, moments of happiness and others of discouragement. But each time I returned to my passion I also found the strength to start again. It is never easy but when you really love something you find a way to keep going.

How important is it to tell your story? You have been featured in a beautiful docu-film (‘Ambra Sabatini – A meter from the finish line’ ed.) and on Tuesday you will also do so with the very competent Giovanni Bruno from the stage of the Teatro Dal Verme in Milan.

It is important for me to tell my story, if only to help other kids understand that what happened to me can happen to them. Difficult times come in life, but there is always a way to overcome obstacles. And this is also true in sports.

What did it mean to you to be flag-bearer in Paris?

Being flag bearer was a huge honor. I didn’t expect it, but it was one of the biggest emotions. After all the path I’ve been on, after the falls and the rises, to be there, in the front row representing Italy, was really special.

And President Mattarella’s words after the particular race in Paris? How much did they affect you?

They affected me deeply. His words made me realize that our message got through. As he said, we left something strong in the hearts of those who followed us. And that, to me, is worth so much.

If I tell you Los Angeles?

Los Angeles for me is the dual-specialty city, as I will also compete in the long jump in those Paralympics. It’s a tough discipline, it’s not for everyone. But I found myself there, it fascinated me. I took the right opportunities, and now it’s time to prove who I am there as well. Comparison with the greats doesn’t scare me, on the contrary, it pushes me to give even more.

Finally, let’s talk for a moment about tennis, about Jannik Sinner and Jasmine Paolini, from Tuscany like you…

I follow them, although we haven’t met in person yet, which I hope to be able to do soon. They are guys I really respect: humble, strong, true. They can give so much to our sports movement. And they are showing that even in difficult times you can find the strength to fight.

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