Shoes? Of paramount importance for an athlete. In some occasions, a tool at work: “competition shoes are like a journalist’s pen, or even more, a part of us. It must be tailormade for us”. Gianmarco Tamberi, gold-medalist at Tokyo’s Olympics in high jump, smiled while present at the 2nd day of Mipel. The gold-medalist, or rather medalists, because Filippo Tortu (winner of the 4×100 relay) was also present at the talk that was moderated by Massimiliano Rosalino (gold-medalist at Sydney 2000), also showed up at the fair. Additionally, the Paralympic delegation headed by Pierangelo Santelli and with medalists Andrea Liverani and Alessia Barra, also made an appearance.
Gold-medalists at MIPEL
Of course, Mr. Tamberi has interest on more than just its competition shoes. Given he is a Millennial (born in 1992), he also has an appreciation for sneakers. But he also likes elegant leather shoes, “for an event”. The medalist participated in the fair to send a message: “I am at Mipel to share our experience – he explains – and spread a sense of positivity. Most of all, I want to pass the message the idea that they can recover and achieve great things after a difficult time”. Can sport dynamics be compared to business ones? “The life of an athlete is very similar to that of a business – he says -, or that of anyone really: we have challenging times, and we have exciting times. An advice for businesses? To stand fast at a time like this. Life can’t all be downhill, and energy must be channeled”.
Handbags and fashion
It’s enriching to walk around the fair. “Mipel is the kingdom of handbags – says Mr. Tamberi -, which is why I must try not to let Chiara (fiancé) know where I am. I will have to ask her to forgive me with a souvenir. Fashion manufacturing is a segment that can surprise an Olympian, Rosolino agrees. “I know my city’s tailors, in Naples – he says -, but I didn’t know the town was also one of the main districts for accessories. I love leather: belts, wallets, shoes, I just prefer it”. The ex-swimmer sees a parallel between athletes and material: “leather changes, transforms itself, becomes vintage and gains charm – he closes -, like what happens to us through training, we then gain value while competing”.
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