Ilaria Olgiati rushes from success to success

At the Paralympics she won bronze in wheelchair badminton. Now Ilaria Olgiati has played her first tournament since Paris in Nottwil.

One feint and the shuttle flies to the back of the field, out of reach. There is applause for Ilaria Olgiati from the audience and the duped opponent smiles – it is Luca Olgiati, her husband and also a Paralympics participant.

Ilaria competes in the final of the open doubles competition with Carlo Valsecchi, Luca plays with Manuela Meier and wins her second title. Luca then completes the family triumph in the men’s singles.

Laurent Prince is among the spectators, the president of the Swiss Paralympic and director of the Swiss Paraplegic Association, Andreas Heiniger, the head of competitive sports and the coaches Marc Lutz and Jano Probst. They are just as happy about what is happening as the rest of the audience, the referees and linesmen, who are also prominently represented this year, and the protagonists. “It’s an atmospheric occasion,” says Ilaria Olgiati, “and there were more players and more spectators than in previous years. This is a good development.” The game is also played in the standing category and two very young up-and-coming players are also at the start.

What she still knows is how she got the medal, only two Chinese women were better. She can also remember the big reception in the “maison suisse” and the great media interest. The 24-year-old, who gave Swiss badminton its first medal among the five rings, received at least 15 interview requests. “The media attention was unusual, but cool and I’m happy when more people become aware of badminton in general.”

After returning home, there was a month-long break. This was very important, she looks back: “Before Paris, the rhythm was always the same: training, sleeping, eating, not much else. Now I was able to process everything, wind down, maintain social contacts.” The wedding to Luca took place on a small scale and it didn’t change much, she says: “It just says Olgiati on the shirt.”

There were also a few receptions, including in the village. Legendary reporter Berni Schär conducted an interview, Aargau government councilor Alex Hürzeler congratulated with a bouquet of flowers, and a village festival with music followed. “That was nice, but not because it was about me.” In any case, she still seems as grounded as ever. She confirms: “I’m still the same Ilaria.”

Looking for a sponsor

The week of the Swiss Championships was also exhausting. On Monday the Federal Council reception, on Friday the visit to the super decathlon, the next day the Swiss Sports Aid gala. Completely new territory for Ilaria Olgiati: “It’s completely different than in sport, especially in terms of clothing. I don’t want to do it every day, but every now and then it’s cool and I really enjoy the exchange with other athletes.”

Media interest has now leveled off. Unfortunately, things have also remained quiet in the sponsorship area, but she would now like to change that; she would especially like to have a car partner. The end of the year follows in December in Bahrain, and the new season begins in March with the climax of the European Championships. Ilaria Olgiati has a clear goal: “I want a medal. Preferably the golden one.”

Since the wonderful days of Paris, the afterthought is only too understandable.