Ruth: The Woman Who Challenged Men

NAGEEYE
In the context of the New York Marathon, however, the Dutch winner Abdi Nageeye, already a silver medalist in Tokyo 2020, deserves applause. He brought Europe back to the top of the list of finishers after 28 years. The war in his country, Somalia, forced him, with his brother, to flee to the Netherlands. When he could, he moved first to Syria, and then back to Somalia, but the nostalgia for Holland was too strong. He now lives in Oldebroek.
REFUGEE

ITALIAN
The New York Marathon, for 53 editions, is a true cult, for those who never tire of running. On the last occasion, out of 54 thousand competitors, more than 2,000 came from Italy, and only the United States could count on such a massive presence. In 1984, Pizzolato was the first European to win, and the running phenomenon exploded in our country. There were 5 Italian winners, including one woman: Franca Fiacconi, 26 years ago, in 1998.
TIRESLESS

DE MARCH Manuel De March, afflicted by Down syndrome, is an all-round artist and athlete, activities that have allowed him to be awarded the recognition of "Alfiere della Repubblica". He has won 12 Italian titles in bowls, a discipline, unfortunately, not yet included in the Paralympic program, but he has also established himself in swimming, and in archery. A true example of how disability can become an opportunity for life, and redemption.
UNIVERSAL

GRIFFIN
Bill Russel, one of the greatest basketball players of all time, had predicted it: «Basketball is the only sport that tends towards the sky». In his wake, A.J. Griffin, 21, one of the talents of the NBA, declared: «I will give up basketball, to follow Jesus. I know that, in the eyes of the world, this news seems like a defeat, but I also know that I am very happy». And so, he became an evangelical pastor, despite having been baptized, as a Christian, only in 2020.
DEVOTED

CHEPNGETICH
Her surname is unpronounceable, but Ruth is well known to athletics fans. In the Chicago Marathon, she won with a time of 2h09’56”. She was the first woman to go under 2 hours and 10 minutes, accomplishing a space feat with regard to the male universe. I mean that the men's record, now, is only 9'21". Think that, forty years ago, the 2 records were separated by over 16 minutes.
IMPRESSIVE

GOZZI
Is it utopian, for a football club, to invest in children who will not necessarily become footballers? Not if we think of Virtus Entella, a Serie C (group B) club from Chiavari. In fact, it opened a nursery for 40 children, which over the years will increase to 60, solving a criticality of the territory. The credit goes to the owner Antonio Gozzi, a visionary entrepreneur, already founder of WyScout and WyLab. This is another fascinating path.
VIRTUOSO

CORSI
In the Empoli of president Fabrizio Corsi and his daughter Rebecca, there has been an air of youth for a long time. The philosophy of the club has nothing to do with that of the big teams. In the name of sustainability, in fact, they look for talent on their own territory, often beating nearby Fiorentina. Coach D'Aversa and sporting director Gemmi have this mentality: the desire to go against the trend.
ILLUMINATED


Carlo Nesti
NP December 2024