GIULIA GHIRETTI

Giulia Ghiretti’s life was transformed on 4 January 2010 when an accident in gymnastics training left her paralysed from the waist down.

The 16-year-old opted to change her focus to swimming and since 2013, she has claimed Paralympic, world and European titles. On her website giuliaghiretti.it, she stated: “This accident changed my life, taking away the use of my legs, but it certainly did not move the horizon of my dreams by an inch and did not affect my desire to live with a smile.”

Giulia thanked her family and friends and everyone who supported her following her accident which didn’t diminish the desire and competitiveness that has been part of her since childhood.

Without never-ending commitment, she would never have enjoyed such consistent success at the pinnacle of Paralympic sport. “Sacrifice and discipline, which high-level sport imposes, have served me to face many difficult situations even in life” she said.

Giulia has complemented her athletic career with a master’s in biomedical engineering at Politecnico di Milano and also wrote her autobiography “Sono Sempre Io” with journalist Andrea Del Bue.

And it is through sport that she has learned many lessons, telling www.ilmessaggero.it: “Sport gives emotions, helps you in life, is a moment of sharing and allows you to express yourself in various ways. I believe that through sport there is a practical teaching. Words are not needed, but actions. Teaching and sharing moments can make a difference and a person with more difficulties can open up and come out of it.”