„I think Italy has some magic water."
„I think so too."
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He is a good short distance swimmer. His domain is the backstroke. He looks like a model and the female fans can go crazy for him.
She is a diver who masters 3 meters, 10 meters and p...
"If I see you're not enjoying yourself, you'll have to answer to me."
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~•~
Beatrice stood on the banks of the Seine, dressed in an elegant sports outfit designed for the Italian team, waiting for the moment she would board the boat that, along with other Italian athletes, would take her to the Eiffel Tower for the Olympic Games' opening ceremony. The streets of Paris were alive with energy. Spectators lined the riverbank, waving flags and eagerly watching athletes from around the world. The air was thick with anticipation, energy, and hope.
Beatrice felt her heart beating a little faster than usual. This was something entirely different from what she was used to. Training routines, competitions, even the diving board—all were familiar to her, but today, she stood on the brink of something grand and monumental. She felt like a small part of something much larger. The Olympics. It was a word she had heard since she was a child, and now she was part of it. It was overwhelming. She hadn't qualified for Tokyo, but she was determined to savor every moment of Paris. She wanted to remember every little detail of tonight's opening. The joy of everyone around her, all the performances that France had prepared for them.
"Are you ready?" Alberto asked, standing next to her. The coach's voice calmed her a little. She turned to him and nodded with a smile. She was grateful to have her coach there to experience it all with her. Italy had a large Olympic delegation, and only a few select coaches and sports directors were allowed to board the boat with the athletes—Alberto was one of the chosen few.
"I've been looking forward to this day for so long," she replied. "But now that it's here, I feel a little nervous. It's huge, Alberto. I can't believe it."
"It's natural to be nervous on such a monumental day, especially for someone as young as you," Alberto smiled. "But you're here for a reason, Bea. You've worked hard to get here, and now it's time to enjoy it. Tonight is about celebration and acknowledging that you've achieved something amazing."
Beatrice took a deep breath and looked toward the water. The boats were ready, and athletes from other countries were already boarding. In the distance, she could hear music and the distinct hum of the crowd. The first shades of sunset began to appear in the sky, painting Paris in gold and pink.
When it was Italy's turn, Beatrice walked toward the boat with her teammates. She was surrounded by other Italian athletes—volleyball players, tennis players, gymnasts, and others—who shared the same colors and pride in their country. There was a strong sense of camaraderie, shared excitement, and mutual support. As she stepped onto the boat, a wave of excitement washed over her. From the deck, she had a view of both sides of the river, where crowds of people gathered, and the reality of being at the Olympics finally hit her.
The boat slowly began to move, and the crowd on the shore erupted in applause and cheers. Beatrice stood at the edge of the deck, watching as they passed some of Paris's most iconic landmarks. Notre-Dame, the Louvre, and in the distance, the silhouette of the Eiffel Tower. It felt like a dream. She almost had to pinch herself to make sure it was real. The atmosphere around her was filled with joy, and each athlete experienced their own version of this magical moment.
