Arianna Talamona

Started: She began swimming at age six. She started competing in 2009 at age 15 in Varese, Italy. (quotidiano.net, 08 Mar 2018; varesenews.it, 15 Mar 2016; Athlete, 09 Sep 2019) Reason: She got involved in the sport as a form of physical therapy. "Swimming helped me, it was my salvation. You get to know your body, its limits and also the benefit of being strong and in shape." (milano.corriere.it, 24 Aug 2018; quotidiano.net, 08 Mar 2018; Athlete, 09 Sep 2019) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (varesenews.it, 12 Jul 2023) Awards: In 2018 she received the Excellent Student Athlete Award from the Italian National Olympic Committee [CONI]. (varesenews.it, 02 May 2018) Additional Info: BREAK FROM SWIMMING In 2023 she returned to swimming following a break from the sport that saw her get involved in Para triathlon and complete a master's degree. "I needed to take a break from swimming after so many years. During this break, however, I missed what I knew and, as much as I really enjoyed triathlon, the next step was simply to go back to swimming. I allowed myself to do something new on a sporting level, but also finish my master's degree and start working. Trying a new discipline also allowed me to understand several new aspects regarding my physique and preparation." (varesenews.it, 12 Jul 2023) FASHION BLOGGING She has written a fashion and lifestyle blog, discussing fashion for people with impairments. "I have always liked colours and fabrics. I am not good at designing or modelling, but I found my artistic side in what to wear. Through the years I realised some girls would ask me for tips, and I thought I could influence people. I thought a blog about fashion and disability could be the right tool to transmit my passion and for helping other people. I want to help women with a disability to dress well, to feel more beautiful, to be more confident about themselves and to express their personality." (Facebook profile, 05 Aug 2022, 28 Jan 2021; abilitychannel.tv, 22 Jan 2018, 04 Sep 2018; vanityfair.it, 20 Nov 2017) VOICE FOR CHANGE As part of her psychology course at the University of Milano-Bicocca she completed a study on couples in which one or both partners have an impairment. She hopes to use her profile as an athlete to make society more inclusive for people with an impairment. "There are too many false myths, beliefs that I try to dispel. For example, it is not thought that a person with an impairment can have a love life, but this is absolutely not the case. I have an impairment but I am perfectly healthy. I can do everything, I can be as beautiful as anyone else. The more we make normal what is different, the easier it becomes to accept people with an impairment. Institutions should work harder to make the world more inclusive. A few things are being done, of course, but still not enough." (vanityfair.it, 16 Jul 2020; it.mashable.com, 01 Jul 2020) PHOTO SHOOT In 2019 she was featured in an exhibition by Italian photographer Oliviero Toscani entitled 'Naked. Disability Without Adjectives'. The exhibition featured several Para athletes who posed naked, and was presented at the 2019 Paralympic Culture Festival in Padua, Italy. "I went through several phases. There and then I said, 'Yes, okay, I'll do it'. Then I thought, 'Oh god, what did I do'. I asked for information and in the end I went. The moment I had to get naked, I was very scared, also because I had to do it in front of strangers. Then, when Oliviero started shooting, I felt that we were all the same, it was very liberating. Indeed, it was an experience that helped me to accept myself as I am." (repubblica.it, 27 Dec 2019)