Carlo Calcagni: Three Overall Victories and a New World Record

Three races, three overall victories, and a new world record. That’s the extraordinary outcome of Carlo Calcagni’s weekend, as he dominated the track at the Armando Picchi Stadium in Jesolo. A result built step by step over the course of just over 24 hours, culminating today, October 4, 2026, with a feat destined to go down in history.

SATURDAY: 400 METERS AND 100 METERS

Calcagni’s schedule began yesterday morning with the 400 meters, where he claimed the overall victory with a time of 1’00”92. In the afternoon, he returned to the track for the T72 100-meter race, finishing in 15.17 seconds and once again taking first place overall. Two races, two victories. But the best was yet to come.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4: THE 800 METERS THAT MADE HISTORY

This morning, Calcagni lined up at the starting line for the T72 800 meters, tackling the distance in an outdoor competition for the first time in his career. The result was extraordinary: 2’09”64

NEW T72 WORLD RECORD

A performance that earned Calcagni his third overall victory of the weekend and, above all, the world record for the distance.

Three races completed.
Three overall victories.
A new world record.

An achievement made all the more significant because it came after he had already competed in two races the previous day and because it was achieved on his outdoor debut in the 800-meter race.

THE NEW ORMESA FRAME RUNNER

All three races in Jesolo were run using the new aluminum ORMESA Frame Runner, a completely new assistive device that Calcagni was able to put to the test right away. His initial impressions were decidedly positive. The new device made an excellent impression on the athlete in terms of responsiveness, maneuverability, and the ability to express her athletic ability, opening up interesting prospects for upcoming competitive events—in particular, the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles.

And it was precisely with this new Frame Runner that, during his first outdoor 800-meter race, a new world record was set.

A RECORD DEDICATED TO FRANCESCA

But October 4, 2026, is not just an important date for sports. It is the day on which St. Francis is celebrated. And today, on the day of his new world record, Carlo Calcagni chose to dedicate this extraordinary achievement to his daughter Francesca.

A deeply meaningful coincidence that makes this result even more special. “Today is St. Francis’s Day, and I want to dedicate this world record to my daughter Francesca. It’s a gift from the heart, on a day that holds even more special meaning for me.”

A THOUGHT FOR ANDREA, TOO

“And I also want to dedicate a special thought to Andrea, who is so often by my side during training, sharing with me the hard work, sweat, sacrifices, and kilometers. Having a child by your side while you pursue a dream is a gift worth more than any medal. Francesca and Andrea are two parts of my heart, and every time I step onto the track, in a different way, they’re both running with me.”

Behind that 2’09”64 lies more than just 800 meters. There are years of sacrifice, suffering, therapy, difficulties, give-ups, and daily battles.
There are moments when stopping would have seemed the easiest choice, yet a determination that, instead, continued to push beyond every limit.

It’s the philosophy that has always guided Calcagni’s journey: “NEVER GIVE UP.” In Jesolo, it wasn’t just the stopwatch that won. What won was the determination of an athlete who continues to put herself out there, to challenge her own limits, and to transform every difficulty into a new opportunity.

400 meters.
100 meters.
800 meters.

Three outright victories.
A new world record.
A new chapter in history.

And on St. Francis’s Day, that record carries the name of Francesca in its heart.

“SPORT UNITES US. WE ARE STRONGER THAN ANY ADVERSITY.”

Carlo Calcagni
Colonel (Honorary Rank) of the Italian Army
Killed in the Line of Duty and Disabled in Service