ToP rowerS
© 2004 Getty Images
Counting to fivE with galtaRoSSa
italy’s four-time olympian wants more
rossano Galtarossa is aiming to place himself securely in the Italian rowing record
books. He will be sitting alongside names like the Abbagnale brothers and
Francesco esposito. Galtarossa is going for olympic Games number five.
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A penchant for baldness before being a bald
athlete was trendy, Galtarossa is a striking
figure on the international rowing scene. He
stands two metres tall and weighs 100kg. He
already has three Olympic medals and his
competition must have breathed a sigh of
relief when he retired after winning a bronze
medal at the 2004 Olympics. But Galtarossa
has returned, motivated and enthusiastic.
Before 2004, Galtarossa went 15 straight years
on Italy’s national team without a break. He
says his motivation to continue at this intensity
came from being drawn to the“great emotions
and the great experiences”, from being part of
a discipline where he could give his best.
Initially Galtarossa got involved in rowing by
accident. He knew nothing of the sport but
when he was taken by his father to a local
multi-sport club, he formed a curiosity for
rowing. At age 18, on the Italian junior team,
he became Junior World Champion in the
single sculls.
Galtarossa went on to win his first Olympic
medal at the 1992 Games as a 20-year-old
taking away bronze in the quadruple sculls. The
Olympic bug had bitten. With four Olympics
now behind him, he describes Sydney 2000
as his favourite. “The people there showed
a great sporting spirit and above all we had
fantastic races, obtaining what athletes dream
of: the Olympic gold medal.” >>
Alessio Sartori and Rossano Galtarossa of Italy
preparing to compete during the Athens 2004
Olympic Games.
