Francesca Tarantello

Started: She began to focus on triathlon at age 18, and took part in her first international Para triathlon competitions in 2022. (obiettivo3.com, 2022) Reason: She focused on swimming at a young age before turning her attention to triathlon and aquathlon at age 18. She took up Para triathlon following the deterioration of her vision. "I have been swimming since I was little. At a certain point, however, I got tired of going up and down the pool. However, I still liked the water. I wanted to continue competing without wasting everything I had done up to then. I knew triathlon because as a child I had tried to do some races and I immediately liked the sport because it was very varied." (labofmove.it, 06 Dec 2023; obiettivo3.com, 2022) Awards: In 2023 she received the Collare d'Oro al Merito Sportivo [Golden Collar of Sporting Merit] from the Italian National Olympic Committee [CONI]. She was awarded the Gold Medal of Athletic Valour by CONI in 2022. (coni.it, 2023) She was named the 2022 Female Para Triathlete of the Year by the Italian Triathlon Federation [FITRI]. (triathlete.it, 11 Mar 2023) In 2022 she was named Female Para Triathlete of the Year by Europe Triathlon. (fitri.it, 2022) Additional Info: <B>Guide</B> Silvia Visaggi [triathlon] (Instagram profile, 07 Apr 2024)