Sports
July 26, 2008 10:38 PM
By: David Stell
Only one person can claim to have sacrificed as much as Massimo Bertocchi, as he realizes his Olympic dream next month: his mother, Aurelia.
Mrs. Bertocchi explained her son is the youngest of her four, but the first to leave home. As an Italian family, that has made all of his sacrifices to train and compete in the decathlon her sacrifices as well.
“I told him when he qualified that he had made two dreams come true,” she said. “His and mine.”
Watching him improve over the years to a world-class level, she said his success is no fluke. Massimo has a strict curfew of his own design and has passed on the common distractions other young men enjoy, like staying out late to party.
“He’s made that choice,” she said. “He has a drive you can see that is incredible.”
She added that although he is so young, just 22, anyone could learn from his determination.
“He proves you can achieve your dreams,” she said. “He’s an example for anyone, any age.”
The family lived in Maple when Massimo began competing in the event, where he graduated from St. Joan of Arc Catholic High School. The family has since moved to Tottenham. But when he went to University of Toronto and stepped up training, she said it was necessary for him to take up residence there.
But she said his home is with his family and they make the most of the small time they get together, usually on Sunday visits.