After Nespoli’s leg in Pavia, his teammate and fellow Tokyo 2020 Olympic individual medallist Lucilla Boari carried the torch on 19 January in her hometown of Mantua, along the ‘Prince’s Road’ (La Via del Principe).
“Being at home and walking with the Olympic flame in my hand along that stretch made the experience incredibly important and exciting,” said Boari.
One of the most decorated archers in history, London 2012 gold medallist Michele Frangilli also carried the torch on 15 January by Lake Maggiore, at the base of the Italian Alps, calling it “a once-in-a-lifetime experience – and one that means even more to me, having participated in four Olympic Games as an athlete.”
Earlier in the relay, Paralympian Eleonora Sarti carried the torch on a 200-metre leg in central Bologna on 10 January.
“I was very happy to have been contacted because of the values I try to convey in sport and in life,” said the 2015 World Archery Para Champion. “I was incredulous and really excited, and until I had the torch in my hand, I couldn’t believe it.”
“There were people shouting my name and cheering me on behind me, the towers were lit up, and I had the lit torch in my hand. It was an immense thrill,” she added.
They follow 2016 Olympian Claudia Mandia, who carried the torch in Salerno on 21 December, and Greek six-time Olympian Evangelia Psarra, who took part in a leg in Thessaloniki on 2 December.
Paralympians Stefano Travisani and Francesco Tomaselli, along with para archer and multisport athlete Dalia Demano, are also set to carry the flame in the build-up to the Games.
