Saturday night, around 21pm Argentine time, The presentation of the teams took place in front of the Bicentenario Theater in San Juan, on the eve of race It started yesterday. Nothing new, we thought; we've witnessed similar events before. Here in Argentina, but also during the three years of the Tour of Colombia, with packed stadiums and champions on parade. Yet this time it was different.
Economy under attack
Let's start by saying that Life in these remote regions is often simpler than in our parts. People get excited about events that often go unnoticed here. So, after having thought, with annoying European arrogance, that these are rather simplistic attitudes, we set the right benchmarks and realized that we are the problem.
And let's not start by saying that we have bigger problems: The Argentine peso is in full devaluation. Today you have a bank account, tomorrow you have nothing left.At the bank they give you 200 pesos for one euro, on the street they give you 380. Perhaps the very economic crisis they periodically experience has taught Argentines to give importance to the essential? Or is welcoming so many champions onto your streets truly seen as a privilege and something not to be missed?
Work, tourism and sport
The whole city was around that stage, even along the fountain as big as a lake in which the stage and the theatre itself were reflectedAnd it was this, in addition to the spectacular nature of some performances, that made its mark.
Running is a heritage of the Province, arid and rocky land that touches the Andes. And even if the words of the Governor Sergio Unac, 52 years old, are those of a witty politician capable of pursuing his goals, a reflection is worth making.
«I want to give a huge thank you – he said – to all those who thought that San Juan could be a capital of Argentine sport, to the point of transcending the borders of our beloved Republic. Personally, together with the working group, I have always said that sport is not a path, but the path to strengthen the province of San Juan, so that each of us can live every day, every minute a little better. When it came to To identify the discipline that will identify the sport of San Juan, we thought of cycling.
«We have to understand that the state has multiple obligations such as health, safety and educationBut I am sure that if the State promotes sport as we do in the province of San Juan, we will allow everyone to live a little better every day, improving the quality of life, ensuring tangible growth in tourism and also offering permanent protection for employment and expectations present and future of every citizen of San Juan."
Cycling at the centre
The Giro d'Italia has never made a presentation like this, at least not in recent times. No Italian head of government has ever appeared at the start of a Giro to explain how sport is the foundation of a nation's well-being and that, when properly structured and organized, it can guarantee employment for those involved.
The “Vicente Alejo Chancay” velodrome which will host the 2025 World Track Championships and which we will visit next Saturday before the stage, According to experts, it is the best in South America and probably superior to most European plantsYou can feel that there's a lot of work behind it and that cycling is one of the most solid items in the budget.
«Cycling – reiterated the Governor of San Juan – is the present and future of our beloved provinceThis 39th edition will certainly be the most important that San Juan cycling can remember, thanks to the efforts of all those who have invested in our province. Thank you for making us feel that San Juan sports organizations are once again at the service of the best cyclists in the world, who are all present here. Thank you for having me allowed to keep my promise».
The Giro and Italy
Okay, we know, these are the words of a politician, but compared to the many we hear every day, we wouldn't mind hearing them from Giorgia Meloni or Minister of Sport Abodi. Nor would we have minded hearing them from those before them: Unfortunately, no major differences have been seen in this regard over the years..
The Giro d'Italia has a potential for history, culture, tourism, and sport that only lasts a few days a year: it's the capital of a private company that manages it for profit, with an obviously unique vision. What are municipalities doing to revitalize it? When will people understand, as in France for example, that this is actually the capital of a nation? And that in this era of climate agendas and the need to redesign cities, get involved in cycling and outdoor sports Would this be the most direct and simple way to unite the country, rather than divide it with the usual game of conflicting interests?
