Desenzano Hosts Successful School Event Ahead of Wheelchair World Cup
Definitely a success beyond expectations. This was the comment from the organizers of «Villa dei Colli» Association and «Handiamo 2001» regarding the day dedicated to schools in Desenzano, of all levels, on the occasion of the presentation of the three-day wheelchair racing World Cup, which the two organizations will host from May 4 to 6. Disabled sports champions such as Piera Loda, national alpine skiing athlete and Olympian at Nagano 1998, multiple Italian champion and winner in the Europa Cup this season in the visually impaired category. Mario Gatelli, fresh Italian doubles tennis champion in wheelchair tennis, and Alvise De Vidi, the athlete of the century with five medals—including three golds—at the recent Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, met at the gym of the «Catullo» Institute in Desenzano with students from various schools in the town. They shared their sports and personal stories and encouraged the children to approach adaptive sports such as tennis and athletics. The students’ response was extraordinary: brave and delighted to try the new «seated» version of their favorite sports, they were literally crazy asking for autographs from their new sports idols.
Results and students’ reactions
«An important project—a first test of the huge potential that integrating sports messages for disabled individuals can have within schools. Young students, especially the youngest, show curiosity, enthusiasm, and above all, complete lack of prejudice. They recognize the athlete and champion in the disabled. Initiatives like this will increasingly find space in schools,» commented Paolo Conte, president of «Handiamo». Satisfaction and enthusiasm also came from the Comune di Desenzano, particularly from the sports councilor Giuliano Garagna, who hopes «for ever-growing collaboration with these kinds of initiatives because they are a necessary step toward a new cultural attitude. The local government strongly supported these events and will continue to promote them to lead the way in this fight.»
Media involvement and growing interest
At the Desenzano mini-conference, the presence of cameras and reporters from the main sports television outlets (Tele, Rai Sport Sat, and other regional broadcasters) was notable. Building on the success of «Handiamo 2000» and the opening of the new season with the Brescia half marathon in early April, these media are increasingly showing interest in adaptive sports.