«We chose Elijah Viviani and Jessica Rossi because they are two Olympic gold medals representing two sports that have brought almost 100 medals to Italy from 1896 to today, yet they had never had a flag bearer at the Olympics». The words of the president of the Cones Giovanni Malagò best summarize the significance of the choice which, in addition to the clay shooting specialist, has rewarded the Venetian sprinter, gold at Rio 2016 in the Omnium.
Never in its history had cycling had its own representative as standard bearer, which It's incredible considering that we are talking about the second sport discipline with the highest number of Olympic medals., surpassed only by that fencing which has always been considered the "reservoir" of Italian laurels.
Yet other sports have had a greater presence on the stage of the opening ceremony, often thanks to the fame of the champions chosen (just think of Sara Simeon, Peter Mennea or to Federica Pellegrini, our latest standard-bearer), sometimes also to send a strong social message (see the choice of Carlton Myers in Sydney 2000 as an expression of a more integrated Italy).
Many countries still dry
If we broaden the discussion a little, we realise that cycling has always had little consideration in the Olympics: counting all the 213 countries that are or have been part of the IOC, the total number of flag bearers linked to cycling before Viviani is just 42There are nations like Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and Spain that have never had an athlete fly the national flag. How is this possible?
The fact that professional cycling was excluded from the Games until 1996 probably had a major impact. Those who achieved outstanding results were destined to turn pro and therefore leave the Olympic environment., with the exception of the communist bloc countries where cycling was not a prominent sport.
The stars of the track
Yet some important names must be mentioned: in 1976 France entrusted the tricolour to Daniel Morelon, one of the greatest track sprinters in history (3 Olympic gold medals between 1968 and '72), who curiously enough because of his love for the track and the Olympic arena he refused to turn professional if not in 1980, at the age of 36, satisfying the whim of winning the European title and conquering two world medals.
To Chris Today He was even allowed to carry the flag at the home Games ceremony in 2012, the most coveted honor for any British athlete. At the time, Hoy, already a knight, had won four Olympic track titles, but in London he conquered two more, completing an extraordinary career.
Only one precedent on the road
Track cycling is the discipline that has been most closely watched in electing the standard-bearers, but it is curious that other "younger" disciplines, such as BMX and MTB, have been awarded more prizes than road cycling. Looking closely, before Viviani only one other professional a certain name had had this honor: it was the Belarusian Vasil in 2016 Kiryenka, winner of the 2015 world time trial title and a long-time member of Team Sky until last year.
For this reason, Viviani's choice is truly a historic event and the Veronese is aware of it: «Tokyo starts off as well as it could possibly be – he said at the start of the Giro stage in Ravenna – I can't even imagine how exciting it will be. Then, luckily, I'll have time to process the emotions and prepare for the races, because Whoever carries the flag has a leading role, must be an example and wear medals. I will try." If he succeeds, it will have an even deeper meaning, as for chechi in Athens 2004 or the Vezzali in London 2012.
