Genova

Genova, Circolo Nautico di Sturla
20 giugno 2010

Genova is the city where it all began, and the first to partecipate in the project “a world without barriers or boundaries”. The first journalists to write about my swimming “strike” especially Giovanna Rosi for TeleNord were from Genova. The first people to join this project and who have become fraternal friends, Filippo Tassara and Luca Baldini are from Genova and there I found another wonderful friend who is always ready to sustain me with affection and competence, Giovanni Giordano.

Genova was the first to embrace my new project “swimming around the world” which following Israel, will continue, with Slovenia, more precisely the swim from Capodistria to Muggia in program for September 18, 2010.

Another important and splendid City which together with Genova is a fundamental part of this project, is Trieste, whose institutions and associations, in particular Panathlon and Muggia Sailing Club and the local council of Muggia and all the citizens of Muggia, support with affection and real participation the aims which inspire all my swims.

Our projects include an ambitious continuance of the tour of the world which according to plans (or dreams?) should take place in February 2011 from Argentina with the marathon Santafé – Corona, to be followed by Mexico with the “Maraton de Natacion” of Sumedero Canion which is close to Tuxtla, capital of Chapas.

In June I plan to take part in the famous Manhattan Island Marathon Swim which takes place every year in New York and involves the circuit of the isle of Manhattan. Next I hope to go to Canada, to Victoria in British Columbia for the Collegio del mondo Unito. Then Australia in Queensland close to Eliott Heads, and finally Africa, to the Côte d’Ivoire to swim in the stretch of water by its capital city, Abidjan.

In anticipation of all this, I had the honour last Sunday of taking part (outside the race) in the second Swimming Regatta of Sturla, over 5km organized by the ASD Nuotatori Genovesi and the Circolo Nautico di Sturla. The weather was very gloomy and even the most optimistic were worried, but once again, good will and passion of the whole team got the better hand and the last clouds were swept away leaving an intensely blue sky.

In this circumstance I met the Swiss national long distance swimming team composed of passionate and affectionate athletes and technicians.

The race was complicated by wind and waves, but the final times were more than respectable and I managed to finish in 1h and 23 mins.

The organizers of the event awarded me a trophy which was given to me by the President of the Municipal office of Sturla. It was an unexpected and moving moment for which I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart.

The driving force behind all my projects has always been, and I hope will continue to be, Circolo Canottieri Aniene which, together with the Fondazione Roma has allowed dreams and ideas to become reality.

Affectionately,

Salvatore Cimmino