One such champion is Angelo Parisi, "I was born in Italy in a town called Arpino. My parents took me to England when I was 6 months old, back to Italy when I was 2 years old to stay with my grandparents, there until the age of 4. We then lived in Bedford in England and then went on to Battersea in London at the age of 8." He won an Olympic bronze medal in 1976 representing Great Britain. He later moved to France and in 1980 became Olympic champion under the French flag.
“I now live back in Italy but I came for the Games. I have been fortunate to carry the flame twice this year. The first time, I was invited to take part in the route through Strasbourg. The second time was just last week at INSEP. All the French sports people who have carried the flag in the history of the Games were invited there to celebrate with the torch relay and we all had the chance to carry the flame."
"I was the French flag bearer at the Los Angeles Games in 1984, having won the Games in 1980. Los Angeles was a wonderful Games.”
Angelo Parisi will certainly enjoy the coming days of Olympic judo, re-sharing great memories with friends and soaking up the Olympic atmosphere again.