THE PARALYMPIC GAMES
The Paralympic Games are always highly anticipated and represent a unique opportunity to discuss disability in sports. At the Paris Games, from August 28 to September 8, will participate 4,400 athletes from all around the world. This significant presence helps spread positive values through stories of perseverance, determination, passion, and sacrifice. The Paralympics are much more than a sporting event—they are a powerful driver of social change. They raise public awareness of the capabilities and achievements of people with disabilities and promote inclusion and equality.
PROSECCO DOC PARTNER OF OBIETTIVO3
Prosecco DOC, a symbol of Italian dynamism and resilience, is committed to celebrating and spreading the Olympic and Paralympic spirit by promoting the values of excellence, friendship, and respect. The Prosecco DOC Consortium also aims to provide opportunities for younger generations through sports, contributing to shaping a legacy of passion, inclusivity, and equality. For this reason, we chose to be a partner of Obiettivo3. The support will be dedicated to improving the preparation of selected athletes through tuning, customization, enhancement. And also through the purchase of new sports aids and equipment across various disciplines, from paracycling to archery, paracanoeing, triathlon, and swimming. The goal is to best support these athletes’ performance in upcoming international competitions. Their journey will be followed step by step through a communication journey called “5 Seconds,” shared across the channels of Obiettivo3 and its partners. The project is inspired by Alex Zanardi’s often-repeated thought: “When you feel like giving up, hold on for five more seconds.” His words will be the leitmotif of this inspiring story.
TEN ATHLETES FOR THE PARIS PARALYMPICS
Obiettivo3 is a project founded in 2017 by Alex Zanardi, aiming to recruit, train, and support people with disabilities in sports. In its first seven years, thanks to extensive work across Italy, it has recruited over 150 athletes. Each athlete, upon joining the community, has found valuable support in the coaches and teammates, helping them cultivate their passion. Many have received sports equipment on loan in their chosen discipline and guidance in their athletic training. Most Obiettivo3 athletes have participated in dozens of national and international competitions, achieving remarkable results, such as the bronze medal won by paracyclist Katia Aere at the Tokyo Paralympics. Alongside developing competitive aspects, Obiettivo3 has also worked locally to promote the importance of sports for people with disabilities.
Thanks to hard work and discipline, ten athletes supported by Obiettivo3 have officially qualified for the upcoming Paris Paralympic Games. Ten stories, each inspired in some way by Zanardi. From Giulia Ruffato, who received a surprise message from Alex while she was still in the hospital for rehabilitation, to Katia Aere, who was convinced by Zanardi to get back on a bike. Not to mention Ana Maria Vitelaru, who races with Alex’s successful bike, and Dalia Dameno, who at 56 will participate in her fourth Paralympic Games, 20 years after her first appearance in Athens.
THE ATHLETES
Katia Aere: 52, from Spilimbergo (PN). Paracyclist in the H5 category, won bronze at the Tokyo Paralympics.
Federico Andreoli: 25, from Milan, visually impaired. A former skier, he won silver in the World Cup in paracycling in 2023 and gold in 2024. In Paris, he will race in tandem with Paolo Totò, a former professional cyclist.
Veronica Silvia Biglia: 36, from Gabiano (AL). In paracanoeing, she won bronze in the World Cup, 16 Italian titles, and participated in the Tokyo Paralympics.
Simone Ciulli: 38, from Florence. He won a silver medal in the 4×100 relay at the Tokyo Paralympics in swimming and also competes in cross-country skiing.
Daila Dameno: 55, from Vigevano (PV). She won two medals at the Turin Winter Paralympics in skiing and competed in swimming at the Athens Games. In Paris, she will compete in archery.
Eleonora Mele: 44, from Genoa. A cyclist in the C5 category, she is a multiple Italian champion and has won two bronze medals in the World Cup and two at the European Championships.
Federico Mestroni: 41, from San Daniele del Friuli (UD). A paracyclist in the H3 category, he became world champion in 2018 in Maniago, won silver in the team relay at the European Championships in Rotterdam, and bronze at the World Championships in Glasgow in 2023.
Angela Procida: 24, from Castellammare di Stabia (NA). A world champion swimmer in her category, she competed at the Tokyo Paralympics, finishing fifth.
Giulia Ruffato: 36, from Pianiga (VE). In paracycling (H4 category), she is a multiple Italian champion with a European Championship gold and a World Cup gold in Australia in 2024.
Ana Maria Vitelaru: 41, from Reggio Emilia. A multiple Italian champion, she won four medals at the Paracycling World Championships (H5) and competed at the Tokyo Paralympics.
