Today, 21 July, eleven athletes of the Paralympic Sports Group of Defense (GSPD) carried out, for the fourth consecutive year, the crossing of the Strait of Messina starting from Torre Faro near Capo Peloro (Messina), Going to swimming and with 3 sailing boats a stretch of sea of 3,800 meters, until reaching the opposite bank on the Calabria side, with landing at Villa S. Giovanni-Cannimello.
The crossing – an event with a high moral and symbolic value – started at 11 and saw the participation of the Undersecretary of State in the defense Senator Isabella Rauti, of the National Armamenti Director of the Admiral of Teams Giacinto Ottaviani, of the commander in chief of the team admiral team Aurelio De Carolis, of the head of the V Department of the Defense General Staff, General of the Division of the Carabinieri of the Carabinieri Stefano Spagnol, as well as Inspector (on leave) Luca Sancilio and of the head of the historical office of the General Staff Marina Contramillio Gianluca de Meis.
The swimming crossing of the Strait of Messina is an idea born four years ago within the GSPD (established in December 2014). The subscribers to the Italian Paralympic Swimming Federation (FINP) promoted this “challenge” as a message for “the sport that breaks down the limits” and shows the indomitable spirit of the Paralympic athletes, in tune with the motto of the GSPD: “For ASTERA in Astra”.
“I am honored to participate, for the third time, in this sporting adventure 3800 meters long, a company in the sea that confirms the momentum and cohesion of the GSPD which is the bearer of values of inclusiveness and love for the challenge”, commented the Undersecretary of Defense Isabella Rauti, who added: “Rowing next to the Paralympic athletes, it is not only a form of proximity, but it is wanting to share the effort that is the case to share the effort. They make water and currents challenge. They are champions in life and in sport, they challenge the limit and exceed the obstacle ».
Among the participants in the crossing, eight athletes, expert swimmers, while three athletes carried out the sailing crossing with Class Hansa 303 boats, symbolizing all together the group spirit and the harmony that animates the members of the Paralympic Sports Group of Defense. In addition to GSPD athletes who are part of the FINP (Italian Paralympic Swimming Federation), the crossing also welcomes the sports group from other Paralympic federations.
Support to the activity was provided by the Asd Ulysse, the Port Authority and the logistical support command of the Navy in Messina.