The delegation sent by Italy to the Tokyo Olympic Games is made up of 384 athletes, 46 of whom, 12% of the total were born abroad.
The list of “oriundi”, a term used to designate people born abroad of Italian descent, who will compete in the Olympics under the tricolor flag, is led by the United States.
In total, 10 athletes born on North American soil will defend the European nation in Tokyo, with emphasis on women's softball, which has six players.
In the sport, which started this Wednesday (21), Italy lost to the United States 2-0. In the second round of the group stage, the Azzurri will face Australia.
Italy also has four Cuban-born competitors at the Olympics, with two representatives in wrestling, one in volleyball and one in athletics. The top 3 is closed by the three Dominicans who will defend the Azzurra in Tokyo, all in athletics.
The Italian delegation also has athletes born in Germany (two), Hungary (two), Tunisia (two), Morocco (two) and Brazil (one). The only Brazilian is Pietro Figlioli, captain of the water polo team, who will compete in his fifth Olympics, but his third for the Azzurri.
Overall, the Italian delegation will be made up of “oriundi” from 28 different countries and from all continents, 18 from North and Central America, 13 from Europe, 10 from Africa, three from South America, one from Asia and one from Oceania.
Among the modalities, the Italian athletics team is at the top of the table, with 20 “oriundi” representing the European nation. Next comes softball, which has six competitors, and volleyball, which has four. The three sports are followed by wrestling (two), water polo (two), beach volleyball (two), diving (two) and gymnastics (two).
Italy will have athletes born in other nations in 13 sports throughout the Tokyo Olympics. The opening ceremony of the mega event will be next Friday (23), starting at 8 am (Brasília). (ANSA).
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