Giada Rossi

Started: She took up the sport in 2011 at age 17 in Italy. (Athlete, 17 May 2016) Reason: Before her accident she was a competitive volleyball player. After acquiring her impairment, a physical education teacher encouraged her to try table tennis so she could avoid having to watch her classmates run and jump. (quotidiano.net, 08 Sep 2016) Awards: In 2022 she received the Collare d'Oro al Merito Sportivo [Golden Collar of Sporting Merit] in Italy. (comitatoparalimpico.it, 14 Nov 2022) She was named Female Para Star at the 2019 International Table Tennis Federation [ITTF] Star Awards. (ittf.com, 11 Dec 2019) Additional Info: AMBASSADOR In 2017 she took up the role of ambassador of Paralympic sport for the Italian Paralympic Committee [CIP], which has involved sharing her experiences with young people across Italy. "It is important to engage with young people, who are always very curious. Elementary school students are especially interested in the practical aspects, they want to know how I get into the car, how I can stay alone at home or move around a table tennis table. In their vision of the world there are always very creative solutions, but they are also the most carefree and they see you as an athlete, without noticing the differences between a Paralympic sportsperson and a so-called able-bodied one. It is nice to share one's experiences, to inspire others and help them grow. It is always a source of personal enrichment." (comitatoparalimpico.it, 25 Nov 2020) OCCUPATION In 2022 she became a member of the Paralympic Defence Sports Group [GSPD], which is associated with the Italian Armed Forces. "All the work done in recent years has allowed me to make this important step, which gives me peace of mind and lets me live doing the sport I love, striving to achieve even higher goals." (fitet.org, 19 Dec 2022)