Apprehension for Lorenzo Bonicelli: blue gymnast’s new bulletin

Hours of apprehension for Lorenzo Bonicelli, the 23-year-old Italian gymnast who fell at the end of the ring exercise during the artistic test at the Universiade Summer Games in Essen. L’athlete, admitted to intensive care, underwent surgery Wednesday on his cervical vertebrae. With him are his parents and the leaders of his club, Ghislazioni Gal of Lecco, and his teammates, who preferred to stay by his side and not leave for Italy.

The consul general in Cologne, Luis Cavalieri, let it be known that Lorenzo has “opened his eyes because doctors have taken him out of the induced coma temporarily, to see if there was any irreparable neurological damage, which there seems not to be, fortunately”.

Bonicelli has extensive edema on the cord, which must reabsorb. According to the testimonies of those present, the boy never lost consciousness after the fall, and had the doctors explain the’surgery to him before the induced coma.

Bonicelli is in an induced coma.

During the operation, which lasted more than two hours, neurosurgeons stabilized the spine by applying plates and screws to the fractured fifth cervical vertebra. A second surgery may be needed. Bonicelli is breathing on his own: as soon as it is possible, he will return to Italy and be placed in the care of a rehabilitation facility near his Lecco home.

“If there is a fighter, this is really our Lorenzino – In the Academy there was a surreal atmosphere with his teammates, everyone knows he is one of the best guys in the team tank, one who makes a group and never says a word out of place. To be admired”, coach Alberto Busnari told Gazzetta dello Sport.