Baresi says ‘my legs were shaking’ during torch duties at Olympics inauguration

Franco Baresi was one of the torchbearers at the inauguration of the Winter Olympics at San Siro yesterday. As he revealed afterwards, it was an experience that he will never forget. 

The Winter Olympics are underway in Milano-Cortina and yesterday, the inauguration was held at San Siro. It is precisely this inauguration that has prevented AC Milan from facing Como this weekend, but at least several Rossoneri profiles were present.

Franco Baresi, the former Milan captain and current honorary vice president, was one of the torchbearers and it was evidently a very special feeling for him. Speaking to La Repubblica afterwards, he even said that it was the greatest thrill of his sporting life.

“They were the most emotional moments of my sporting life. I have never felt anything like it. You have that torch in your hands and you know it contains the history of sport, and a little bit of that of human civilisation. A very strong symbol.

“It was crazy, my legs were shaking and maybe even my hand. The San Siro has been my home for twenty years, and at home we all feel safe, we all feel better. It was emotional to enter the stadium, to carry the fire there, for me personally.

“The torch, that is, the immortal values ​​of sport: peace, respect for the rules and for your opponent, love, fair play.”

Baresi returned to work late last year after recovering from a serious illness, and his condition is getting better and better. This is also something that he confirmed in the interview, which is great news indeed.

“How am I? The worst is over. Being an athlete has helped me fight. The warmth of the people reached me,” he concluded.