ROME (AP) — The mother of twin fencers and the symbol of Italy's high jump success at the Tokyo Olympics will serve as the country's flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the Paris Games.
Ariana Errigo and Gianmarco Tamberi were honored on Monday by the Italian Olympic Committee at a ceremony on July 26.
Eligo, competing in the Olympics for the fourth time, won medals in each color. At the 2012 London Games, she was part of the Azzurri team that won gold in the team foil event and silver in the individual event. Three years ago, she won a bronze medal in the team event at the Tokyo Games.
Last year, Eligo gave birth to twins and now brings them to contests.
Italian Olympic Committee President Giovanni Malago said: “She is a great example of how mothers can compete at the highest level of their sport.”
Tamberi, who is competing in his third Olympics, won the gold medal alongside Qatar's Mutaz Barsim at the Tokyo Olympics and is also the current world and European high jump champion.
Tamberi's agreement to share the gold medal with his close friend Barsim was hailed as a sign of fair play. Tamberi began an elaborate celebration with Barsim, running up to his compatriot Marcel Jacobs and jumping into his arms, and minutes later he surprisingly became the Olympic 100m champion.
Tamberi was chosen ahead of swimmer Gregorio Paltolinieri, who has won three Olympic medals.
Jacobs, who also won gold on the track with Italy's 4×100 relay team, had already had the honor of parading under the Italian flag at the closing ceremony in Tokyo.
Jannik Sinner, number two in the tennis rankings, has become Italy's most popular athlete in recent months after leading Italy to the Davis Cup title and winning the Australian Open.
But Sinner, who is competing in the Olympics for the first time, said in a recent interview that the gold medalist deserves the honor of being the standard bearer.
Italy won 40 medals at the Tokyo Games three years ago, the most in Olympic history.
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Associated Press on the Paris Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
