Efrem Morelli

Started: He took up Para swimming in 2005. (Athlete, 09 Sep 2019) Reason: He began swimming regularly as part of his physical therapy following his motocross accident. "Sport was my life, and at age 21 I could not just give up everything. I tried playing wheelchair basketball, but then I was advised by doctors to move in the water for therapeutic purposes. In the water I was better both physically and psychologically. I started swimming and winning some races. From that moment on I never stopped." (cremonasipuo.it, 04 Feb 2020; Athlete, 09 Sep 2019) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (cremonasport.it, 07 May 2024) Awards: In November 2019 he received a sporting achievement award at the Italian National Olympic Committee [CONI] Sports Awards event in Cremona, Italy. (cremonasportiva.it, 27 Nov 2019) Additional Info: MOTOCROSS TO SWIMMING He took up motocross at age 14, and went on to compete at the European championships before his accident. "During a race I had a serious accident. It was the end of a dream cultivated for years, and the beginning of a hard period for me. Doctors recommended aqua therapy and I started going to the pool. I had to learn to swim again from scratch, but I started swimming quite well. I began to get passionate about it, and by pure chance I came in contact with the president of a club and I was asked to do some training with them. I found it to be a quiet and pleasant environment, but at the same time serious and professional - just the way I like it. For me, this was a new beginning, or perhaps the continuation of a dream interrupted a few years earlier." (Facebook page, 18 Aug 2018; quadleaks.com, 31 Mar 2014; mxcenter.it, 18 Jun 2013; fmiquad.it, 18 Apr 2012; efremmorelli.it, 18 Nov 2009)