The Italian gymnast Lorenzo Bonicelli He has a message for himself: “Never give up.”
The 23-year-old suffered a neck injury while performing a triple somersault exiting the rings during qualifying for the FISU World University Games 2025 in the Rhine-Ruhr region. He appeared in a video on Monday, November 10, sharing his determination as he continues his rehabilitation process.
“My dear Lorenzo, what can I say: the path is long and difficult and you know it. Many times you will want to give up everything, even for many days in a row. You will want to let yourself go to the difficulties of life, because it will be the easiest thing to do”, said Bonicelli. “However, I know that you will also be very afraid of this ease of giving up. What will scare you will be the doubt of how deep this dark well could be from which it will probably be even more impossible to get out.”
Bonicelli underwent surgery in Germany to reduce a cervical strain injury with subluxation of the fifth vertebra, and a tracheotomy was performed to help him breathe. He was subsequently transferred to a hospital in Milano where he began to communicate and eat on his own.
Since his move from Germany to Italy, the athlete has been accompanied by his family and his girlfriend, Lisa Rigamontiformer gymnast and now nurse.
“I know you will work as hard as you can to never give up,” he added. “If this mirror dialogue can help you move forward, I truly hope with all my heart that it does.”