Ice HockeyParalympics
Francesco A. Armillotta
For Andrea Chiarotti, one of the 35 Italian athletes pledged on Saturday March 9 in Sochi, will not be a winter Paralympics as the other two already played. That's for sure. Why to be sure of what will be his special games, we do not talk (yet) results. Let's talk about an honor reserved for the few sports in the captain of the National sledge hockey will in fact be the bearer of the delegation blue during the opening ceremony to be held at the city's Olympic Stadium Fisht , on the Black Sea
Friday 7 March 2014 15 minutes reading time
The 47 year old from Turin to Torre Pellice, will be the standard bearer of the Italian team. A decision that fills it with emotion and pride, that he was one of the founders of the Italian movement sledge hockey ever since, back in 2003, he formed the national team ahead of the Paralympic Games in Turin 2006 . Since then, great strides have been made for this sport, involving participants from all over Italy and by improving the movement until the conquest European title in 2011. Italy of sledge hockey has thus earned a place among the elite stable of the ice, with a constant Chiarotti it has always remained the captain. Thus, in Russia, it's prize to his dedication and growth of a movement. A reward given to an athlete of a discipline (among the five present at the Games) team. An event certainly rare. So much so that "Ciaz" (as it is nicknamed the hockey player) will be blue to show the flag in the world. The event is scheduled for this afternoon (17 pm Italian with live TV streaming and on RAI 3), when the ceremony of the XI Paralympic Winter Games will start up in his debut match against the USA (Saturday at 13:30 ). After his election in November 2013 Chiarotti waited with quiet pride and the "X-day." We asked him how he prepared for today. But in addition to personal satisfaction for the prestigious position, brought out his role on behalf of the whole team. conferm6a At the right choice for those who might not be the most suitable leader if not a team player like him.
A story that began in 2003 and reached until 2014. After 11 years, would have thought to still be the captain of the sledge hockey team until the investiture of the Italian flag bearer?
"Absolutely not. If with respect to 2003, the project had a short-term perspective. We had sent ahead as a function of the host nation in Turin 2006. From there to imagine continuing with the team reaching the results obtained in the course of a decade, I can say that it was virtually unthinkable, indeed, impossible. There was not even asked anything comparable at the beginning. Certainly, though, we all immediately thought it would be a starting point to continue over time with the movement. "
A speech that he saw in the first row from the beginning ...
"Yes, because I left with a good experience. At the time I was playing already. So I contacted the Federation and I had the opportunity to go around to watch the world: in 2004, for example, I went to follow the next World Cup in Sweden. From there I looked at the level of the teams and the better known technologies and sleds that were used in the sport. Then I had already known the Norwegian team (among the pioneers of the international scene, ed), establishing since then a great friendship and collaboration. And this exchange helped us a lot to grow over time. It is logical that when you start a course you do because you believe in a project, and hope that I can keep going. And the results I have gone beyond the initial prospects. "
His commitment to the growth of his sport, it can be considered a special prize that led him to be the standard-bearer?
"The personal satisfaction is relative. At first I did not feel very "the architect" of this role that was assigned to me. The award is primarily to be assigned to our team, of which I am just the captain. So, SINCE IT since its inception, I was very pleased to be 11 years ago. It still is. I also asked my colleagues if there was anyone else willing to take my place, but I have all responded with great enthusiasm to leave the role to me. The role of standard-bearer? Well, it is a subject that comes as a result: an award given to the team for the big strides made in recent years. It is a clear demonstration that if you work together, get satisfaction and fulfillment. They sure are very proud to be able to open the parade of the delegation of the blue and recognition I have received. For the rest, I feel very comfortable for the opening ceremony: I think that the unrest will rise further for the opening match on Saturday. "
It will also be the first time that an Italian player in a team sport such as bearer of the delegation.
"The President of the CIP (Italian Paralympic Committee) Luca Pancalli has confirmed that it is a recognition to the whole team of sledge hockey. A standard-bearer is not from an individual sport? Surely it is an extraordinary fact. I remember in Vancouver, in 2010, the then captain (Jean Labonté, editor's note) of the Canadian National opened the parade of the delegation of the house. "
From Turin to Sochi. How would you describe the experience to "three drops" before and how he handled the eve of the Games?
"There's much to handle. The only really important aspect is related to training. So, you take advantage of their free time to go to the gym or do handbikes to prepare individually. Then, two or three times a week, I train to Turin on the ice. Then, by the end of October when the season came at the height after qualifying, every weekend we ended up with the gatherings of the National Assembly. It is not always that simple, because many times depends on the work of the guys on the team and the ability to take time off. Two workouts a day until Sunday and a few friendly game or tournament with the other national teams. Not much has changed from this point of view. The quality of the team has improved a lot. As for the previous Paralympics - explains Chiarotti - in Turin in 2006 was a real celebration of emotions. It was the real debut for the team, among other things in the house, and were acclaimed by the environment. Enter to last at the opening ceremony, have the stadium full and cheering during our matches even though the sporting point of view we were not competitive. In 2010, in Vancouver, came what could be called a consecration of the movement. If we add the fact of going to play in Canada was beautiful. Performing in the land of hockey, where everyone knows everything about the sport, could be rewarding. "
And Sochi, on the other hand, what programs are there for the team?
"This Paralympics would say that there is a chance to improve, giocandosela with all rivals. We have to realize that there is also the possibility of losing all the matches, given the very high level, but winning two races could even put on the launching pad for a medal. Let's say, however, that the ideal would be to make a final for fifth place, which would mean improving the seventh of 2010. "
The growth of your National can be, according to her, is comparable to that of the Italian Paralympic movement?
"I think it is difficult to establish a definite connection between the two. But I speak for sledge hockey and some things have improved in recent years. They approached many young people the discipline and also at the level of Italian league, we were able to add a fourth team this season. In general it was thought that after the 2012 London and the media visibility may have done good to the movement of sport for disabled people in Italy. "
How was the ceremony of his investiture as standard-bearer, at the Quirinal?
"A wonderful and exciting feeling. We found ourselves with Armin Zöggeler before the President of the Republic Giorgio Napolitano we hand over the flag and we were both excited. We did not know how to behave in such a formal occasion, Armin also asked me some advice on how to turn to the President. When the ceremony is over we were much less tense, and he gave me a pat, dulling the tension, he said, "it went well." Then I kept it in the same moment to thank the Paralympic Committee and my team for the experience I had on that occasion also. "
In the tournament's top of the Paralympic sledge hockey. How far can you get?
"Do not make plans, although it will be very hard. But the level of the teams is very similar. To confirm the possibility that you could open up winning the match (Italy is in Group A with the United States, Russia and Korea, ed.) And the ambitions of the coup, there are groped. We open with the United States and Italy. Objectively we start 0-2 and one disadvantage could be a good score? No, our idea is to play everything from the start. The European Championship victory in 2011 gave us a lot of awareness. We have new and talented players such as Gianluigi Rose, star players such as Florian Planker and the important columns of the team of the caliber of Gregory Leperdi. In addition, two baby (Depaoli and Larch): a development that speaks for itself. "
In conclusion. Do you feel ready for your dual role bearer and captain?
"Absolutely yes, they are both on the ice at the stadium. For now I can only say that I will be careful not to stumble during the ceremony (laughs). "
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