THE PARALYMPIAN FROM BOLOGNA SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED HIS FIRST HANDBIKE MARATHON IN BERLIN. HE SHARES HIS EXPERIENCES AND EMOTIONS IN A VIDEO.

The sparkle in Omar Bortolacelli’s eyes when, on 25 September, he crossed the finish line of the Berlin Marathon on his handbike, is the same light he had in June 2021 at the end of his climb, using an exoskeleton, up the final stretch to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca in Bologna. The light of someone who has achieved his goal through passion, hard work and sacrifice, pushing himself beyond his limits.

His arms propelling him forward, his heart pumping energy, his mind focused on the finish line. The Brandenburg Gate, then the trees of the Tiergarten, and finally the long approach to the finish line. Omar did it: he covered the 42 km and 195 metres in 1h 58’ 54”, a fantastic achievement and proof that by working hard, believing in yourself and rising to the challenge, you can always become the best version of yourself. Become Your Own Hero.

The latest feat by Omar Bortolacelli, a 38-year-old from Bologna who has been in a wheelchair for 11 years following an accident, is documented in a video produced by Macron, the athlete’s technical partner. The feelings, the hard work of preparing for the event, pushing himself every day to improve, the thrill of the start and the joy of the finish, his smile and that sparkle in his eyes – the look of someone who has given his very best. Body, mind and spirit: three elements that helped the handbike’s wheels spin swiftly and enabled Omar to achieve a new athletic and personal triumph.

It is moments like these that give us a sense of what commitment, passion, willpower and a spirit of sacrifice really mean. A hero never gives up, and Omar proved this once again at the finish line of the Berlin Marathon.