Originally reported in Italian by SwimSwam Italia’s Giusy Cisale.
Italian swimmer Manuel Bortuzzo has returned to the water to begin rehab after being shot in Rome in early February.
“Finally home!” Bortuzzo posted on social media after his first few strokes. He was not referring to his home made of bricks, but the one made of water: the pool.
Doctors believe that the bullet caused a complete spinal cord injury, elaborating that they did not foresee a “functional recovery of the movement of the legs with current medical knowledge.”
Bortuzzo moved to Rome to train in the national group alongside Italy’s two best distance swimmers: Gabrielle Detti and Gregorio Paltrinieri under coach Stefano Marini.
The Italian Swimming Federation (FIN) has set up a “Give #TutticonManuel Fund” to raise money for Bortuzzi’s physical therapy and rehabilitation. That fundraiser was announced with a video by the captains of the national teams of swimming, open water swimming, synchronized swimming, water polo, and lifeguarding.
How to Donate:
- IBAN: IT20U0100503309000000009133
- ITALIAN SWIMMING FEDERATION WEBSITE