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May 14,2006 - May 21,2006 |
Canadian-Italian gold
Alexandra Orlando and her life for gymnastics
By Luigi de Biase
Originally Published: 2006-04-23
When you listen to her, she sounds exactly like the girl next door: mild mannered, timid, and graceful. However, Alexandra Orlando has already made history in her sport. Her six gold medals in the last edition of the Commonwealth Games catapulted her in the Gotha of Rhythmic Gymnastics. This was unprecedented in her discipline, and rarely heard of in other specialities. Only four athletes had managed to do it before. Alexandra looks unperturbed, though. Maybe she has yet to fully understand what she pulled off in Melbourne, facing rivals from all over the Anglo-Saxon world. Or maybe her calm demeanour is just a sign that she can do even more.
"I can't describe what happened," said Alexandra. "Everything is very vivid within my mind. I knew I could get good results, I was sure of my skill, but this... Well, this was more than I expected. It was a surprise for me, too."
A life for Gymnastics
Night is beginning to fall. Our appointment is set in a small gym on the outskirt of the city, the home of Ritmika Centre, where Alexandra has been training since her childhood.
"The story of how it all began is curious," said her mother Marisa. "Her teachers once told us that she was tremendously active in Phys. Ed. We were amazed to hear that, because at home she was a very quiet child. They suggested that we make her practice some sport, and she immediately showed great interest for gymnastics. She was incredible: she went through the exercises with an effortless grace. I think that she must have something special inside."
Was it difficult to follow her first steps?
"Was it? It still is, even more!" smiled Marisa. "When she was younger we used to bring her to a gym every afternoon: that was a daily commitment. Now she goes on her own, but she would need a personal assistant! Before any competition, someone must help her brush her hair, apply makeup... there are many details that aren't visible to an outsider. But that's nothing, when compared to the satisfaction she's given us. We are proud of our daughter."
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