A piece of street art hailing Italian
volleyball's historic Olympic gold medal winning team standout
Paola Egonu put up outside the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI)
office in Rome overnight is called Italian-ness' in a reference
to rightwing League MEP General Roberto Vannacci's assertion in
a bestselling book that her "somatic features do not represent
Italian-ness".
Veneto-born Egonu, 25, who has Nigerian parents, top scored in
Sunday's Olympic final victory over reigning champions the USA
to give Italy its first Olympic volleyball gold medal for either
sex.
The art by Laika shows Egonu spiking a ball bearing the words:
"Stop to racism, hate, xenophobia, ignorance".
The Roman street artist, who wears a white mask and pink wig and
says she has been "fighting injustice" with her works in the
Italian capital since 2019, said about her latest paste-up piece
that it was against Vannacci and others who share his views.
"This victory is a slap in the face for all the so-called
'patriots' who don't accept a multi-ethnic Italy, made up of
second generations, that doesn't want citizenship by birth in
Italy. It's a ball hit in the face of those who speak of
'Italain-ness' referring to somatic features.
"In our country there is no longer any room for xenophobia,
racism, hate and intolerance.
"Racism is a social scourge that must be defeated.
"Doing so through sport too is extremely important. I believe in
a future of inclusion, welcome and respect fro human rights.
"Being represented by athletes like Paola Egonu, (Palermo born
Ivorian Italian) Myriam Sylla, and (Iceland born Russian
heritage) Ekaterina Antropova is an honour," Laika went on,
naming the other stars of the volleyball win.
"Seeing them with the most precious medal of the Olympic Games
around their necks, while they sing the Italian anthem with
emotion, is an immense joy.
"I dedicate this poster to all the Italians who are not
recognised as such by our State".
Egonu unsuccessfully sued Vannacci for his Italan-ness remark,
which a judge ruled was "inopportune but not defamatory".
On Sunday the controversial general turned politician hailed the
women's "huge" victory and told AGI news agency "I have never
called into question (Egonu's) Italian-ness but I reiterate that
her somatic features do not represent the majority of Italians".
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