Italy Ancestors and the 2014 Sochi Olympics
1. Russia opening ceremony points to common heritage.
2. Team Italia holds special bond in the heritage of Italy.

1. Russia opening ceremony points to common heritage.

February 7, 2014: Sochi, Russia Federation. The opening ceremony for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi Russia, according to NBC coverage and analyists, were primarily intended as an encapsulated sweep through the history of Russia. The pagentry and multi media highlighted a number of select moments or eras in the chronology of the current geo-political territory.

It was enlightening to see the promotion and acknowledgment of the earliest peopling from the same origins as many from Italy.

The filmed portion, which featured many famous Russian actors, started with the typical grand column structures of Magna Graecia, the temple looking parthenon recalling buildings of Hellenica, Sicily, Italy, and elsewhere mirroring early settlements and colonies.

In the film, the ships leave a topographical map of the Aegean lands and sail, (apparently) around the Black Sea to coastal areas that now include Russia. They construct tree cut dwellings and communities. They move into colder regions, or the viewer next meets others from the north in a subsequent snow filmed scene.

These migrations and early heritage have much in common with the immigrants to the Italian penisula, around the Adriatic and Sicily, and other parts of the Mediteranean.

The exchange of trade and the mix of peoples in these early travels have certainly left a common heritage and similar lineage with Italy Ancestors.

In that spirit of Olympic brotherhood and sisterhood, we will follow herein also other news, from the 2014 Sochi Games, regarding Italy Ancestors.

2. Team Italia holds special bond in the heritage of Italy.

February 13, 2014: Sochi, Russia Federation. Paul Parkinson, World Champion and Euro Champion is a member of Team Italia Figure Skating at the 2014 Winter Olympics. According to the team summary released by the Italian National Olympic Committee, Paul was born 16 February 1991 in Ottawa Canada. We found it wonderfully facinating that both he and Speed Skater Anthony Lobello, were not born in Italy, and yet compete for Team Italia.

Paul brings it all to the rink this evening, yet graciously took a few minutes to speak with us about this unique affiliation, and his affinity with his Italy heritage, that brought him to this prestigious accomplishment to compete for Italy at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

Paul told us that his mother was from Italy, his Italy Ancestors were from Campobasso, and therefore he has a dual citizenship. Expressing a strong respect for his Italy heritage, Paul has been wanting to compete with Italy since he was a child, and after improving his skills to the level where he felt he could best represent Italy, he has been with Team Italia for 5 years. During that time while skating for Italy he has earned the World and Euro Championships.

Choosing to train in Colorado, Paul indicated that it is common now for athletes to strengthen with support from an international sphere. He mentioned that one of his Italy teammates also trains in Detroit. While at the same time, Paul feels his choices still allow him to wholeheartedly represent Italy. He says that Team Italia has also accepted him 100 percent, and that there is no feeling that he is an outsider, nor that he has taken a qualifying position that might otherwise go to an Italy born, nor that there is any less bond with the community while speaking only some Italian.

Especially in an expressive sport like Figure Skating, certainly the tradition of Italy style, apparel, music, and athletic tradition, should benefit an Olympian like Canada born Paul Parkinson who has emphasized the important aspect that his heritage played in choosing to compete for Team Italia.

| ABOUT | SUBMIT | MENU |