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MARTINO GORETTI IS A TWO-TIME OLYMPIAN, WORLD CHAMPION AND HAS BEEN A NATIONAL ROWING TEAM REPRESENTATIVE FOR ITALY SINCE 2003. MARTINO IS BASED IN LAKE COMO AND IS TARGETING NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION FOR THE TOKYO OLYMPIC TEAM.
WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE YOUR SPORT?
I was not tall enough to be a basketball player (kidding). Mandello the city I grew up in, is famous for rowing with the MOTO GUZZI rowing club. I went there for a try, and the first boat was a pair, I just loved it!
WHEN DID YOU FULLY COMMIT TO TARGETING THE OLYMPICS?
After I competed at the Junior World Championship in 2003 at the Olympic course of ATHENS (the year after) I decided that to compete at the Olympics was my goal.
WHAT’S BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE PERFORMANCE, AND WHY?
World champion title in LM 1x in 2019 is not an Olympic class, but I started in sweep boats and at 31 after Rio Olympics I did sculling for the first time all on my own, without the support of the Italian Rowing Federation. I fought for my spot since then, and after 3 years of work, I was able to make it.
WHAT’S BEEN YOUR TOUGHEST CHALLENGE YOU’VE HAD TO FACE IN YOUR SPORT, AND WHAT DID IT TEACH YOU?
I think the delusion at the London Olympics. We were silver medallists at the World Championship the year before but 2012 was a tough year, a lot of injuries and problems. Before the games it was looking like that the magic was back, but in London all went wrong again and we ended up 12th. It was the toughest challenge ever for me to find the motivation to continue again for RIO.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU? WHAT KEEPS YOU GETTING UP EVERY MORNING?
I want to see how far I can push myself; I like to say that it’s like climbing Everest without oxygen. It looks impossible, and tough, but you want to see what you will find at the top.
WHAT ARE FIVE OF YOUR FAVOURITE SONGS TO GET YOU IN THE ZONE?
I don’t usually listen to music when I train, I like to feel and listen to my body, but who does not get in the zone with the theme songs of ROCKY BALBOA.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO OUTSIDE OF YOUR SPORT? INTERESTS? CAREER?
I love cycling on Lake Como with my girlfriend or hiking on the mountain behind our house in Italy. I'm also a Beer and Craft Beer enthusiast, but I must control my weight, so that is for the off season. I’m also studying to be a coach (not necessary in rowing).
