Chiara Pellacani, every day a dive closer to Paris 2024

The key word is the Olympics, even if these aren’t the ones he’s participating in these days Clare Pellacani. The blue diver began her journey at the Fukuoka World Championships, where she will compete in 5 competitions, with a certainty already in her pocket, the nation pass from the three-meter springboard for Paris 2024. All the other appointments are passing stages, the ones that have just ended and those in progress. «I’m very happy about the European Championships, I came from a difficult period and I didn’t expect these results, I arrive at the World Cup calmer because with the European Championships I got the Olympic pass. The goal is to enter the final in all 5 races» explains the blue diver, not yet 21 years old who has participated in her fourth world championship and is on her way to the second Olympics.

In Europe the results have been excellent for the whole team, is there still a long way to have them in the world championship?
“There is still distance. at European level we are one of the best teams. At the World Cup it is more difficult. China is the strongest team, but there are also Canada and Australia».

The first dives when you were very young, can you already feel the weight of the sport in your early twenties?
«It’s always a pleasure for me, I chose this sport: it is true, however, that it is difficult to manage personal life and training. I started out by lifeguard swimming, then tried ice skating and then transitioned into diving through a friend from elementary school. I liked it and enjoyed it right away.”

What has changed with the University attended in the USA?
«This experience has helped me a lot on a personal and sporting level. It wasn’t just a choice linked to sport, but really to study».

Is there a personal life for Chiara Pellacani?
“Time is limited. I always try with my friends even outside of diving in Italy and America».

Do the myths of diving weigh? Is there competition from the past?
«Surely Tania (Cagnotto ed) was an example, but also all the Italian divers. I’m trying to continue to enjoy making results like her.

For her, the results at the Olympics came at the end of her career.
«Yes, you won medals at the last Olympics (Rio 2016 ed), we hope to get there even sooner».

In Rome at last year’s European Championships you seemed like a united team.
«The home atmosphere helped, but we are a beautiful and united team, this helped us to think positively. We are young”.

How is the American experience going?
«I grew a lot on a personal level by being away from my family and I also grew up diving. However, my family was very close to me. The negative? At the beginning it was difficult to settle in college and in training ».

Is the way of training different?
“I started doing weights, but otherwise it’s how I trained before.”

Have you ever come across violence, for example those reported by gymnasts, in your career?
«No, I’ve always had an excellent relationship with my coach. In the diving world I have never heard of any of this. We are a small group and we manage to have fun».

What music do you listen to?
“I like Spanish music that I met through a Spanish friend from the university.”

Movie?
“Comedies and romantic films”.

Do you feel like a romantic?
“A middle. I would like the engagement ring, yes.’

Just in Rio 2016 there was a marriage proposal on the podium. Would she have liked it?
“I would have found that a little embarrassing. I’d like something a little more private, even if it was a good idea.’

For the sync pairs are stable.
«Elena Bertocchi to Matteo Santoro. With her for longer and with Matteo for two years».

Are sync and single on the same level?
“Yes, but just happy that I already have the single 3m springboard pass for the Olympics because I wasn’t able to get it in Tokyo.”

What changes with the pass?
«I am more serene and calm, since September I have been preparing to prepare only those».

Do they remain the most important goal?
“Yes, always choose any Olympic medal over any other title.”