An afternoon with the 15-year-old revelation of Italian sprinting: “My dad supports Milan and wanted me to be a soccer player. I don’t decide on my own about the World Championships.”

In the middle of the afternoon, at the glorious San Donato Milanese track, all you can hear is the chirping of cicadas. The small group training in the summer heat is very discreet. Then, suddenly, she arrives. And everything changes. Kelly Doualla is a whirlwind, an electric shock. At 15, she is already a leader: she fills the space with her mere presence. This has been her second home for a couple of years. But now she is just passing through: between the gold medals in the 100 meters and the Swedish relay won last week at the European Youth Olympic Festival in Skopje, North Macedonia, and a training camp in Rome ahead of the European Under-20 Championships in Tampere, Finland, starting on Thursday. Meanwhile, the echo of her 11.21—a continental record for under-18s and the third fastest time ever by an Italian woman—has certainly not faded.

Kelly, what was your first experience in the Italian national team like?

“In terms of emotions, I was a little affected by the empty stadium. And then I already knew many of my teammates. However, I was fascinated to find myself among so many foreigners, even though I only communicated with those who spoke French. Starting in September, I will be taking an English course on Saturdays.”

Technically, she seems to have enjoyed herself…

“I was only a little nervous before the 100-meter final. And then, in the relay, I felt uncomfortable starting from the blocks with the baton in my hand. Otherwise, between the heat, the poor food, and a missed flight on the way back, it wasn’t an easy trip. We survived on pre-cooked noodles from the supermarket.“

In general, do you watch what you eat?

”I have quite a sweet tooth, much to Walter’s delight (coach Monti, ed.), I love fast food, but my dietitian says I have less and less body fat. My secret, along with about ten hours of sleep a day, including in the afternoon, is my mother’s cooking, with lots of Cameroonian dishes based on meat, fish, and vegetables. I’d like to go back to my parents’ country of origin to see where they grew up.”

How is your relationship with them?

“I owe them a lot: they organize their work at the nursing home around my needs. My dad usually drives me from Sant’Angelo Lodigiano to the camp. He also takes me to school, saving me a half-hour walk. If he can’t, my mom takes me by bus and then does my friends’ hair, or my brother Franck does it.”

How long does it take you to do yours?

“This latest one, which is blue for a reason, took four hours. It will last about a month.”

Are your parents proud of you?

“I try not to worry them: when I go out, they always know where I’m going. And never in the evening.”

Where do you go?

“To Milan, to meet my athletics friends at the Duomo and go out for a bite. It’s easier with them than with my classmates, even though my elementary school, middle school, and now my sports high school in Sant’Angelo are all in the same complex.”

What are your favorite subjects?

“Can I say gymnastics? I don’t do it often, but next year we’re going to try taekwondo.“

Is it true that your dad wanted you to be a soccer player?

”He’s a big fan, a Milan supporter, but he’s happy now. If I didn’t risk getting hurt, though, I’d always play soccer. I watch a few games on TV and it’s the only sport that gets me going. Apart from athletics, of course.”

Given the attention you’re getting and your age, do you feel a bit of pressure?

“I really enjoy what I do, even though it’s becoming more serious now than it used to be when it was just a game.”

Is the 100 your favorite event?

“Yes, partly because I’ve never run the 200. I think I can do well, but the curve scares me a little. When I did one this winter in Ancona in an indoor relay, I hurt myself for the first time in my life. We’ll see next season.”

What about the long jump?

“I’ve never really trained for it, but I have good feet: I think I have a lot of potential.”

Who do you admire among your ‘colleagues’?

“Shelly-Ann Fraser, Sha’Carri Richardson, Tara Davis and, among the Italians, Filippo Tortu, whom I’ve met a few times.”

What memories do you have of the Italian exploits at the Tokyo Olympics?

“Almost none, I was 11 years old: I saw Tamberi, but then I fell asleep…”

Do you like Jacobs?

“I saw him live at the European Championships in Rome: I prefer more aggressive sprinters.”

Are you thinking about the World Championships in Tokyo?

“Just the idea makes me realize how far I’ve come. It’s true that I’d also like to go on vacation, but the decision won’t be mine alone.”