Wonderful double for Italy in the 20 km race walk at the European Athletics Championships which started today in Rome: Antonella Palmisano won the gold medal, Valentina Trapletti the silver.
The European Athletics Championships which began today in Rome start immediately under the sign ofItaly: the first is blue gold medal of the event. Antonella Palmisano dominated the 20 km walk, confirming itself as one of the world’s excellences in the specialty. The 32-year-old from Puglia – Olympic champion in 2021 in Tokyo – literally tore up the competition: Antonella took off shortly after half the race, increasing the lead step by step, until it became clear that there wasn’t any for either of her today. The Italian triumph was completed by 38-year-old veteran Valentina Trapletti’s second place and silver.
Rarely has a success been so clear – also due to the exceptional walking technique – and never in question: Palmisano gradually dug an abyss between herself and her pursuers. At kilometer 16 the advantage exceeded 30 seconds and at that point it became clear that she could only fight for the other two podium places. And the silver, equally wonderful, was taken by Trapletti, who collected at the end of her career – a symbol of her tenacity – the result that is worth a sporting life.
