Lella Costa’s Distinct Gaze on Italian Sports: Beyond the Scoreboard

Lella Costa, the esteemed Italian actress, writer, and voice artist, is renowned for her ability to dissect the world with a keen eye for detail, unearthing deeper meanings often overlooked. Her observations frequently extend beyond the immediate surface, revealing the profound human narratives nestled within various aspects of life, including the seemingly straightforward realm of sports. While her personal athletic endeavors might be described as minimal, her fascination lies squarely with the individuals and stories that animate every athletic feat. Her unique perspective offers a refreshing, often humorous, insight into Italy`s fervent sporting culture.

The Adam Paradox: A Humorous Origin Story of Fandom

The conversation often begins with a humorous anecdote, attributed to the wit of Massimo Cirri and Sergio Ferrentino, dating back to a 1992 show. It posits a rather insightful, albeit comical, explanation for the communication chasm often observed between men and women. In the Garden of Eden, Adam, feeling a peculiar yearning for something “pink,” dreamt of a missing element. Divine intervention ensued, and God, in His infinite wisdom, created woman. The punchline, however, suggests a divine miscalculation: Adam, it turns out, merely desired the daily edition of the Gazzetta dello Sport to accompany his splendid mornings. This jest, Costa notes, perfectly encapsulates the profound, almost primordial, bond many Italian men share with their national sports newspaper, a bond that predates even, well, companionship.

Women in Sports: A Journey from “Serie B” to Recognition

Despite the humorous jab at male-centric sports culture, Costa acknowledges the positive trajectory for women in athletics. “The direction is right, but there’s still much to do,” she states, highlighting a persistent societal perception that women`s sports remain somewhat secondary. She likens it to being perpetually in “Serie B,” the second tier, where the prefix “female” is often a necessary qualifier, implying the default is always male. This subtle linguistic distinction, she argues, undermines the inherent specificity and value of women`s sports, even in the face of phenomenal talents like Italy`s skiing champions. While recognizing the growing institutional attention to gender equality in sports promotion, Costa expresses hope that younger generations might finally dismantle this implicit bias, allowing female excellence to shine without needing constant re-categorization.

Among the 102 remarkable women she celebrates in her book and show, “Se non posso ballare… Non è la mia rivoluzione” (If I can`t dance… It`s not my revolution), several athletes stand out. She begins her narrative with Wilma Rudolph, an inspiring figure who, despite being told polio would prevent her from ever walking, went on to win three gold medals at the 1960 Rome Olympics. Such examples, Costa believes, are a testament to female prowess and deserve far greater recognition.

Inter Milan: A Passion Forged in Friendship, Not Family

Unlike many Italian fans whose loyalties are inherited, Costa`s connection to Inter Milan blossomed from an unexpected source: a deep friendship with Massimo and Milly Moratti, the club`s former president and his wife. She describes them as “special people” who ignited her passion for the Nerazzurri colors. This personal bond was forged during a glorious era for Inter, culminating in the historic treble, cementing a lasting affection for the team. Yet, her fandom remains remarkably grounded.

Reflecting on a season where Inter “played everything badly” and failed to secure any titles, she admits disappointment but candidly states, “If I said I lost sleep over it, I`d be lying.” This pragmatic approach defines her as a “moderate fan,” a label that allows her to critique the darker side of sports. She expresses significant concern over the “shameful and worrying” incidents that frequently occur in streets and stadiums, characterizing them as a distinctly “masculine way” of transforming any form of confrontation into a perceived war. Women, she points out, constitute a small percentage of such aggressive fan bases, emphasizing the need for deeper reflection on this aspect of fan culture.

Beyond the Game: Admiration for Character

When it comes to individual athletes, Costa`s admiration often extends beyond sheer athletic prowess to encompass character and personality. She holds immense respect for Inter legends Javier Zanetti and Giacinto Facchetti, praising them as “wonderful men” and “extraordinary champions.” She also found the “mythical” Boninsegna “insanely likeable.” In the modern game, her affection extends to the children of Thuram senior, another individual she found to be “magnificent.”

Tennis: The Talent of Sinner, The Charisma of Panatta

Tennis has always held a special place for Costa, though she confesses to being “astonished” by the current levels of power and speed, rather than merely admiring them. The topic inevitably turns to Jannik Sinner, Italy`s prodigious talent. “Great talent,” she concedes, “but I can`t say I find him likeable, even if I know I`m exposing myself to national shame.” Her candid admission is less a criticism of Sinner`s abilities and more a personal preference for a different kind of charm. This becomes evident when she contrasts him with Adriano Panatta, whom she had the good fortune to meet after his career. Panatta, she recounts, was “irresistible, witty, and intelligent,” prompting her to declare, “You`d go on vacation with him immediately.” It`s a charmingly human take on the difference between admiring skill and connecting with personality.

A Writer`s Perspective: Collaborations and Lasting Impressions

Costa`s distinctive way of viewing sports even led to a collaboration with the Gazzetta dello Sport itself. She recalled being invited by Candido Cannavò, a dear friend and then editor, to write on the back page of the newspaper`s magazine, alternating with figures like Dan Peterson and Julio Velasco. Her perspective, naturally, differed from the seasoned sports commentators, but she remembers it as a “beautiful experience.” Of Velasco, the renowned volleyball coach, she expresses “authentic veneration,” recalling a literature festival encounter with him and Quino (the creator of Mafalda) as one of the most passionate and lighthearted discussions she remembers. For Costa, Velasco transcends the role of a mere sports figure; he is a “leader.”

Other encounters that left a profound impression include Lea Pericoli, the tennis player, whose “rare beauty and natural elegance” enchanted her. And, held especially dear, is her meeting with Alex Zanardi, a “fantastic person” whose story of resilience resonates deeply.

Lella Costa`s voice is a reminder that sports are more than just scores and statistics. They are a canvas for human stories, a mirror to societal dynamics, and a stage for personalities that can charm, inspire, or simply provoke a moment of delightful, honest reflection.