September 3rd 2024.
Paralympic sprinter Alessandro Ossola may have fallen short of reaching the men's T63 100m final in Paris, but he still left the track feeling like a winner. After finishing fifth in his heat with a time of 12.46 seconds, the Italian athlete missed out on the final, but that didn't dampen his spirits. In a heartwarming and emotional moment, Ossola proposed to his girlfriend Arianna in the stands of the Stade de France.
Despite not making it to the final, Ossola will always have cherished memories from that day. As he shared, "She answered me 'You're crazy, you're crazy' and she kissed me, so it was really exciting." The proposal was actually a month in the making, and Ossola was determined to make it a special moment for both himself and his partner.
Reflecting on his performance, Ossola admitted he was disappointed to not make it to the final, especially after finishing sixth in the same event three years ago in Tokyo. But, as he said, "life is strange" and within just three minutes, he went from feeling sad to incredibly happy.
For Ossola, the proposal had an even deeper meaning because of the personal tragedy he has faced. In 2015, a motorcycle accident led to the death of his first wife and the amputation of most of his left leg. However, the sport of Para-athletics gave him a new purpose and helped him through what he describes as a "dark period" in his life.
In an interview with the official Olympic website, Ossola shared, "Sport gave me a way to take action and a way out of a very dark period." He also credits running for helping him smile more and regain a sense of happiness after losing so much.
At the age of 36, Ossola may not have achieved his ultimate goal of winning a medal at the Paralympics, but he is still incredibly proud of what he has accomplished. As he said, "I was competing with the best in the world, and I'm really proud of that." He hopes to be an inspiration to others and show that anything is possible, no matter what obstacles life throws your way.
Ossola also acknowledges the important role his new fiancée played in his journey to the elite level of competition. Their relationship is like a "maelstrom," with Arianna constantly pushing him to be his best. He shared, "Sometimes she believed in me more than I believed in myself, and that's something truly amazing." Her unwavering support and belief in him have played a significant role in his success.
As Ossola looks towards the future, he is grateful for the love and support of his partner, who he now calls his "partner for life." He hopes that everyone can find someone like her, who will push them to achieve their dreams and be by their side through thick and thin. Despite not winning a medal, Ossola's proposal to Arianna will always be a treasured moment that symbolizes their love and the strength they have found in each other.
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