The Italian athletics star: “Without the obligation to attend, managing my studies becomes easy. I have one exam left to graduate in engineering, then I’ll treat myself to a nice watch.”
Due to rain, the men’s discus final closes the Tokyo 2025 program when the rest of the program has been over for over an hour. So now that the noise has died down and the lights have dimmed, the symbol of these splendid World Championships for Italy remains her sweet smile: Nadia Battocletti has won everyone over. Her name alone is enough to make the world take notice. Because she, as petite as she is determined, is the one who stands up to the African middle-distance runners. Who, 400 meters from the finish line of the 5000-meter final, goes on the attack. But don’t think that her newfound popularity will change her: the thirty-year-old remains the same as ever, the girl who became a woman who, by running, makes her dreams come true.
Nadia, silver in the 10,000 and bronze in the 5,000: do you think about what you’ve achieved? “I see lots of photos and videos: I admit that the most moving images are those that show me with my medal around my neck, together with my family.”
Did you ever believe you could win on Saturday?
“No: the performance was good, but my legs were heavy from the fatigue of the 10,000 meters and the humid heat.”
Is it nice to be Nadia Battocletti today?
“Absolutely, yes, but a little less so during the race, because it’s hard work and requires a lot of willpower. But I confirmed to myself what kind of athlete I am.”
What do you think of yourself?
“In the past, I didn’t think very highly of myself, but now I know I’m strong. Behind these results are sacrifices and refusals: it’s worth it.“
Do you think about anything other than tactical development or your opponents during a race?
”Again, it all depends on training: you get used to being alone with yourself, looking around and isolating yourself from everything.”
Do you wear contact lenses when you run?
“I have astigmatism: only during competitions. I don’t wear them during training and I wear glasses when I’m resting.”
You are the first Italian woman to win two gold medals in a single World Championships: what does that mean to you?
“The goal was to get on the podium. I managed it twice: I couldn’t have asked for more.“
Do you remember your debut with the national team?
”Of course, at the 2016 World Mountain Running Championships in Sapareva Banya, Bulgaria. On the track, in the same year, in my first season in the category, I came sixth in the 3000m at the European Under-18 Championships in Tbilisi. There were several other veterans from that team here.“
Scotti, Arese, Sibilio, Dallavalle, Olivieri and, among the women, Dosso, Polinari, and Coiro.
”It’s nice to have stayed together as a group: I feel a particular bond with Dallavalle because we have been competing at the same time in major events for many seasons. And we spur each other on.”
Is Tokyo the city of your heart?
“Starting with my 7th place in the 5000m at the 2021 Games, it brings me luck. After a couple of trips for sponsorship reasons in 2023, in May, four months ago, on a circuit around the stadium, I set the European record for the 5 km road race and now I’ve won two world medals. What more could I ask for…“.
Which is better, the track or the road?
”They’re different contexts, a lot changes, even the shoes you wear. On the track, out of habit, I’m more comfortable.“
The stadium, after the Olympic emptiness due to Covid, was almost always full: what was the atmosphere like?
”A beautiful, electric atmosphere, especially when a local athlete was competing. I really appreciated it.”
Did you go to a Japanese restaurant?
“I didn’t get the chance: I love sushi.”
Tokyo-Rome-Milan-Trento: home soon…
“I have three weeks of vacation ahead of me: Gianluca, my boyfriend, who will be spending two days in Abu Dhabi with his mother on the way back, has finished his vacation. I don’t know what I’ll do. On Thursday, I’ll be at university.“
Already?
”I’ll be attending the geotechnical oral exam session, the last one I have left. I plan to take it in early November and then graduate in civil engineering between June and July 2026 with a thesis on sustainable wooden architecture.“
Is it harder to run in a world final or take an exam?
”Running: university exams put me under pressure. But at least I no longer have to attend in person, so it will be easier to manage.“
Have you heard from Veronica, your best friend and roommate in Trento?
”By message: we’ve been apart since June, when she, an accountant, had deadlines and I was training at altitude. And, with university coming to an end, from now on I’ll be between Mezzocorona, where Gianluca lives, and my home town of Cavareno.“
Will you treat yourself to something for your two medals? ”I’ll wait until I graduate: then I’ll reward myself with a watch, a Pasha de Cartier.”
