Pride and joy: Italy sets record at Paris Olympics; jet squad paints sky over Philly

Italy’s pride was on full display in Philadelphia on Aug. 12 when the Italian Air Force, also known as the Frecce Tricolori, flew in formation over Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The Frecce Tricolori is well known for its aerial displays in Italy on national holidays and other special occasions. It has been 32 years since they have exhibited in the United States, and it has been just two years since they were entered into the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest military aerobatics display team with a total of 10 jet aircrafts.

Italy is also celebrating a record number of medals awarded at the Paris Olympics which had its closing ceremony in August. Italians Gianmarco Tamberi and Arianna Errigo proudly carried flags to represent Italy. At the closing ceremonies the flags were carried by Rosella Fiamingo who took home a gold in fencing and Gregorio Paltrinieri who took home a bronze for marathon swimming.

Out of 84 competing nations, Italian athletes went home with a total of 40 medals, with 15 bronzes, 13 silvers and 12 golds.

It is the highest record attained by Italy, thanks to the “butterflies” of the group rhythmic gymnastics at the event and the women’s volleyball team winning against the USA women’s team. Overall Italy came in ninth place in total of medals. Italians, including Sergio Mattarella, president of the Italian republic, reacted with joy as the women’s volleyball team beat the U.S. team led by their captain Anna Danesi.

Both Nicolò Martinenghi and Thomas Ceccon earned gold medals for swimming and the four women fencing team earned a gold. In other single events Giovanni de Gennaro earned gold for canoeing, Alice Bellandi for Judo, Marta Maggeti for sailing, Alice D’Amato for gymnastics. Other teams wins in gold were for fencing, tennis, shooting and in cycling.

Silver medals won were in the disciplines of cycling, shooting, fencing, gymnastics, rowing, swimming, canoeing and athletics either individually or in teams.

Finally, the Italians also home took 15 bronze medals, both as individuals and as teams in modern pentathlon, gymnastics, athletics, taekwondo, weightlifting, swimming, cycling, tennis, shooting and fencing.

Giovanni Malagò, the president of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), rated the games as an “8 1/2” for Italy a few hours after the ending ceremonies and noted everyone’s pride in the accomplishments of the Italian athletes. In an interview with ANSA he remarked, “We are perhaps the most multidisciplinary country, having won medals in 20 different disciplines.” Italian athletes will continue to excel as they prepare for Italy to host the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.