Francesco Bettella

Started: He began attending swimming classes at age three, and first competed in Para swimming in 2004 in Padua, Italy. (francescobettella.com, 02 Dec 2018; Athlete, 03 Dec 2017) Reason: He was encouraged to take up the sport by his father and his physiotherapist. (finp.it, 2012) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (padovaoggi.it, 08 Aug 2023) Awards: He received the Collare d'Oro al Merito Sportivo [Golden Collar for Sporting Merit] from the Italian Olympic Committee [CONI] in 2017. (radiobue.it, 19 Dec 2017) In 2017 he was presented with a Gold Medal of Athletic Value by CONI. (radiobue.it, 01 Aug 2017) In 2016 he received the Official Order of Merit of the Italian Republic from the Italian president. (quirinale.it, 19 Dec 2016) He was named the 2016 Athlete of the Year in Padua, Italy. (swim4lifemagazine.it, 30 May 2017) He received the 2016 Silver Gattamelata Award at the Padua Sports Gala in recognition of his sporting achievements during 2015/16. (francescobettella.com, 19 Feb 2017) Additional Info: OTHER ACTIVITIES He has served as a member of the federal council of the Italian Para Swimming Federation [FINP], and was president of the organising committee of the 2018 World Series event in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy. (Federica Fornasiero Facebook profile, 09 Jul 2021; finp.it, 03 Feb 2021; paralympic.org, 21 May 2018) FURTHER EDUCATION After he graduated with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Padua in Italy in 2013, he remained at the university to study for a master's degree in the same subject between 2013 and 2016. In 2022 he began studying for a PhD in neuroscience at the same university. (LinkedIn profile, 01 Apr 2022)