Franco Florio, the Argentine sprinter who left rugby to train with Olympic medalists in Europe, is aiming to qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Games. With the goal of running under 10 seconds in the 100 meters, Florio embodies the sacrifice and commitment required to compete at the highest level.
At 26 years old, Franco Florio has been in Italy for over a year, part of an international team of 14 athletes who share training and challenges. His journey began in rugby, where he became a player for the Pumas Seven, but it was during the pandemic that he discovered his talent for athletics, dedicating himself to the 100 meters, where he has established himself as Argentina’s fastest sprinter.
Florio’s transformation was not overnight; he lived with both disciplines before fully committing to athletics. “In my mind, I probably always leaned more towards being a rugby player than a sprinter,” he said. However, the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics allowed him to explore his sprinting abilities. “I ran fast and said: ‘Hey, I’m good at this, I’ll stick with it’,” the athlete shared.
Franco has had a remarkable rise in his new career. In 2022, he became South American champion in Asunción and broke the Argentine record in the 100 meters with a time of 10.11 seconds in Brazil. Additionally, he set a national record in the indoor 60 meters in the Czech Republic and had an outstanding performance at the World Championships in Nanjing, China.
Training in Europe has presented new challenges for Florio, who describes the intensity and volume of work as significantly greater than in Argentina. The diverse group he trains with includes athletes from France, Switzerland, and other countries, contributing to a competitive and challenging environment. “It’s a strong elite group,” Florio added about his training companions.
Moving to Europe aligns with a three-year preparation plan for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, with key events like next year’s South American Championship being vital for his qualification. To compete in the Games, he will need to be among the 48 fastest sprinters in the world, a demanding challenge in a field historically dominated by powers like Jamaica and the United States.
Franco highlights that maintaining an elite athletic career requires deep commitment and sacrifice. “You have to want it a lot,” he stated. His personal goal is to run under ten seconds, which is an ambition that goes beyond sport, intertwining with representing Argentina in Olympic events, despite the difficulty of being away from home and loved ones.
Source: www.infobae.com
