Barbara Gambaro competed in her last Olympic competition.

Barbara Gambaro says goodbye to Paris

From a local perspective, only Simone Giannelli remains: Barbara Gambaro, the last South Tyrolean, was eliminated early from the Olympic Games in Paris on Thursday. Nevertheless, the Vinschgau native can be satisfied.

August 01, 2024

From: dl

In her Olympic debut, Gambaro finished 17th (in the mixed event), 24th (with the air rifle over 10 meters) and finally 23rd. In the field of 32 sports shooters, only the top 8 qualified for the final. Even though Gambaro failed in the qualification, the Schlanders native did well.

In the three-position competition, Gambaro scored a total of 580 points. Her prone position was particularly strong. Gambaro was nine points behind eighth-placed Danish athlete Stephanie Grundsoee. In the prone position, the 32-year-old scored a strong 198 points. This meant she could easily keep up with the best in the field.

Swiss Chiara Leone finished third in qualifying. © ANSA / VASSIL DONEV

Gambaro also showed a solid performance in the kneeling position (193 rings). She only lagged behind most of her competitors in the standing position (189). The American Sagen Maddalena secured victory in the three-position competition qualification.

Only Giannelli left

Originally, six South Tyroleans had qualified for the Olympic Games in Paris. Tennis superstar Jannik Sinner had to pull out due to illness. Table tennis players Giorgia Piccolin and Debora Vivarelli were eliminated against seemingly overwhelming opponents. Verena Steinhauser had to settle for 39th place in the triathlon and will therefore – probably – have to watch the mixed relay. Since Thursday, the games are now over for Gambaro too.

South Tyrol's figurehead at the Olympics: Simone Giannelli. © APA/afp / NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA

From South Tyrol's point of view, hopes now rest entirely on Simone Giannelli. The Bolzano volleyball star won his first two games with Italy against Brazil and Egypt. Giannelli & Co. are back in action on Saturday against Poland.