Daniele Garozzo announces retirement due to “injured heart”
The words of Daniele Garozzo
Daniele Garozzo, Olympic champion in foil in Rio 2016, announced his retirement at just 31 years old with a touching Facebook post in which he explained the reason: "È a decision triggered by circumstances beyond my control, my heart is è “injured” but which I accept with serenity. In all these years, I have been fortunate to live an extraordinary adventure in the world of sports, culminating in winning an Olympic gold and silver".
"È it has been a journey of sacrifices, commitment and passion, joys, satisfactions and friendships that I never imagined. I remember as if it were yesterday when I started practicing this wonderful sport. If I close my eyes I can still see myself in the garage gym in Acireale throwing millions of hits against a dummy, dreaming of one day winning the Olympics. Those who know me know how much I love fencing. I’ve loved it with tireless dedication and with all my heart, and I’ve put a lot of effort into it, but it’s all led me to the results I had dreamed of. Now, as I close this chapter of my life as an athlete, I am grateful for every moment I have lived and for the experiences that have made me the person I am today".
"Looking to the future, I had already long ago decided to devote my professional life to medicine, now with an even clearer goal: to study and publicize the often misunderstood cardiological conditions that can afflict the sports population. My personal experience has shown me how important it is to conduct effective outreach on these issues to ensure better prevention and optimal management of athletes of all levels. I am aware that I am the luckiest guy I know’
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"I have fulfilled my athletic dreams, traveled all over the world with amazing friends, and found my best friend and life partner on the fencing podiums. So many have helped me along this path, and I would like to thank them all, today and as I have always done in the past. Above all my Master Fabio Galli, who taught me first to become a man, then a champion. Even though everyone on the platform only saw me, there were always two of us pulling and taking those hits. Thank you all for accompanying me along this wonderful path. Although the competitive one ends here, I am excited to start the next chapter of my life with the same spirit of dedication and passion".
