The Italians of 2024 come in many colors, have different eye shapes, and truly unique features. They are the Italians who represented Italy in Paris during the Olympics, the Italians of the second generation: never before have so many athletes born to foreign parents competed in the blue uniform. They have surnames like Jacobs, Sylla, Jodoin, but their accents reflect the regional nuances that run through the entire Boot, from Veneto to Lazio, reaching Sicily. Because it is in these regions that they grew up and sometimes were born, becoming Italians capable of bringing honor to the tricolor thanks to their sporting talent. Track and field is the discipline that most benefits from this mix, but from volleyball to gymnastics, multicultural identity helps bring home medals. And while these athletes wrap themselves in the tricolor on the tracks and sing the Hymn of Mameli on the podiums, those left behind debate whether it is right to formulate a more inclusive sports citizenship law. For at least ten years, the Italian Athletics Federation has promoted the integration of athletes waiting to receive citizenship. They are called “equiparati,” born or raised in Italy but without citizenship, registered with clubs affiliated with Fidal. Young equiparati athletes can compete for category and absolute titles at Italian, regional, and provincial championships. “In the boys’ category alone, Fidal counts over 600 equiparati athletes competing for a title. It’s a large number, and if we look at the beginners’ category, the group is even larger,” explained Antonio Andreozzi, deputy technical director for youth activities, to Espresso. “The point is, if they don’t have citizenship, they cannot be called up to the national team. But we hold them close, because they are Italians and trained in Italy.”
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