- Title: 'I still can't believe it!' - Italians elated, amazed by Jacobs' 100 metre gold
- Date: 2nd August 2021
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) ROME RESIDENT, VALERIO MARINI, SAYING: "I started watching at the last minute just when it was starting and it was a one-of-a-kind emotion because I would have never expected...we never participate in this type of race, it was like witnessing a miracle. I still can't believe it that he won the 100 metres, in fact yesterday when I saw 'Usain Bolt, Usain Bolt, Usain Bolt' and then 'Jacobs', I thought, no! It's not possible! An Italian!? " (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) ROME RESIDENT, ANTONIO CAPELLERI, SAYING: "It is a really good thing, he runs like Usain Bolt, I think it's a historical achievement." (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) ROME RESIDENT, PIERO FORMIGHETTI, SAYING: "I am so happy about it, he has been since he was 1 years old and so he is Italian and then if he has an American father or from another place in the world, for me he is Italian. It is strange that he competed in the Olympics aged 26." (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) ROME RESIDENT, GABRIELE BOZZANO, SAYING: "I have to say that I wasn't expecting it because there has never been an Italian trophy like this. So I am really lost for words, honestly." STATUES AND FOUNTAIN IN PIAZZA DEL POPOLO VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING IN PIAZZA DEL POPOLO
- Embargoed: 16th August 2021 10:38
- Keywords: Italy Lamont Marcell Jacobs Olympic men's 100 metres final Rome Tokyo
- Location: ROME, ITALY
- City: ROME, ITALY
- Country: Italy
- Topics: Europe,Olympics,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA003EOL6EKN
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Italians were still in awe on Monday (August 2) as they woke up to being home to the world's fastest man a day after Lamont Marcell Jacobs won the men's 100 metres final at the Olympics.
Jacobs was the first person to win since Usain Bolt and the first Italian to take the most coveted title in athletics.
Until the Tokyo Olympics few Italians had even heard of Jacobs, who has made impressive progress over recent years and broke the European record twice on Sunday en route to victory.
"We never participate in this type of race, it was like witnessing a miracle. I still can't believe it that he won the 100 metres, in fact yesterday when I saw 'Usain Bolt, Usain Bolt, Usain Bolt' and then 'Jacobs', I thought, no! It's not possible! An Italian!? " exclaimed Valerio Marini as he walked through Piazza del Popolo in central Rome.
"I have to say that I wasn't expecting it because there has never been an Italian trophy like this. So I am really lost for words, honestly," said Gabriele Bozzano.
It was a great day for Italian athletes with Gianmarco Tamberi sharing the men's high jump gold.
No Italian had ever reached the Olympic 100 metres final but the country has had two champions in the 200 meters: the late Pietro Mennea, who won gold in Moscow in 1980, and Livio Berruti who won in Rome in 1960.
(Production: Cristiano Corvino, Emily Roe) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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