Italian Paralympian Alessandro Ossola Proposes to Partner After Failing to Reach Men’s Final in Paris
Italian Paralympic sprinter Alessandro Ossola experienced a day of mixed emotions at the Stade de France in Paris on Wednesday, September 4. After failing to qualify for the men’s T63 100m final, Ossola turned the moment around by proposing to his partner, Arianna, in the stands, just moments after his race.
Ossola, who had finished sixth in the same event three years ago at the Tokyo Paralympics, missed out on the final this time after placing fifth in his heat with a time of 12.46 seconds. Despite the disappointment, he surprised Arianna with a heartfelt proposal, which she joyfully accepted.
“She said, ‘You’re crazy, you’re crazy,’ and then kissed me. It was a very emotional moment,” Ossola shared in an interview with the BBC World Service. “I was upset about not making the final, but within minutes, I was incredibly happy. Life is strange that way.”
Ossola’s proposal holds deep personal significance. Born non-disabled, his life took a drastic turn in 2015 after a motorcycle accident that claimed the life of his first wife and led to the amputation of most of his left leg. This tragic event eventually guided him to Para-athletics, a sport he credits for helping him through one of the darkest periods of his life.
“Sport gave me a way to take action and to heal,” Ossola said in an interview with the official Olympic website. “After the accident, I lost so much—everything except my smile—but sport pushed me to smile even more. Competing at 36 years old against the best in the world is something I’m incredibly proud of, regardless of the outcome.”
Ossola also expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of his new fiancée, acknowledging how much her belief in him has contributed to his athletic journey. “Every athlete needs people who push them forward, and sometimes she believed in me more than I believed in myself. She would always say, ‘You can do it, you can succeed,’ and that’s something truly special. I hope everyone finds someone like her. She’s my partner for life.”