Sara Curtis, FIN president Paolo Barelli retorts to keyboard lions with a sour face

Despite her very recent successes in the pool, Sara Curtis has not only received due congratulations for her achievements, but has unfortunately had to reckon with the so-called haters, who on social networks have also become the protagonists of racist insults against the 18-year-old swimmer. On her side is also Paolo Barelli, president of the Federnuoto, who wanted to respond in first person to the keyboard lions.

“I feel a deep revulsion when I read racist, ignorant and violent comments on social networks, in the past also associated with posts regarding the young athlete Sara Curtis supported by a cheer without boundaries – Barelli began – These comments insult dignity, civilization; they are manifestations of an’ignorance that makes more noise than merit, sacrifice and commitment. Sara is an extraordinary example, as an athlete and as a person. She is Italian and our compatriot, raised in this country, trained in its schools, educated in the values of sports and respect by her wonderful family”.

“She is bringing prestige to’Italy– adds the number one of FIN -: graduated with top marks, the first Italian to participate in the world final in the 100 freestyle and qualified to the semifinals of the 50 freestyle with the Italian record; she is next to continue her academic and sports path at Virginia University, in the United States, in full synergy with the Italian Swimming Federation, her club CS Roero and the Gruppo Sportivo dell’Esercito”.

“His story – Barelli further explains – speaks of talent, but above all of discipline, passion and sense of duty. As the first signatory of the bill on Ius Italiae, which concerns the’acquisition of Italian citizenship by legal foreign minors who study with profit in Italy, I deeply believe that culture, schooling, education, are the antidote to racism and an element of integration. As a former athlete, as a parliamentarian, and as president of the Italian Swimming Federation, I will always defend the moral and social values that sports must also convey and protect. In the present case, Sara, should you be offended ‘don’t mind them, but look and pass’. Such comments would not be worthy of attention”.