Paris 23: Italy’s ‘Charlie’s Angels’ open new chapter in friendship

Italy’s Ambra Sabatini, Martina Caironi and Monica Contrafatto are superstars at home. After sweeping the podium in the women’s 100m T63 at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, the trio of teammates struck the iconic pose from the film Charlie's Angels to celebrate - making headlines all over Italy. Two years after that magic moment in the Japanese capital, the trio had the perfect chance to do it all again as they once again swept the podium - this time at the Para Athletics World Championships in Paris. 

Sabatini crossed the finish line in a world record time of 13.98 seconds to add the world title to her Paralympic gold, followed by Caironi (14.35) and Contrafatto (14.67) at Charlety Stadium. 

“The race was really good. I’m really excited because it was very difficult for me after Tokyo. I’ve had a difficult season because other athletes improved a lot,” Sabatini said.  

Friends and teammates 

Of the trio, Caironi took up Para athletics first, making her Paralympic debut at London 2012 where she topped the podium in the women’s 100m T42. The Italian superstar went on to defend her title at Rio 2016 while also picking up the silver medal in the women’s long jump T42. 

She received a Facebook message from Contrafatto in 2014 asking if they could compete together. About five years later, Caironi met Sabatini and helped her take her first steps in the sport.  

Their friendship has grown from there. 

“Martina and Monica have always inspired me,” said 21-year-old Sabatini. 

“In the past I was not fully aware of the Paralympic world. But it is only after my accident that I got to know well the different prosthetics and I started watching Martina and Monica compete and I finally met both of them. 

“They were immediately very kind to me and nice. We get along really well.” 

Contraffato, 42, feels Sabatini is like a daughter because of their age difference. 

“We are all friends,” Contraffato said. “Martina is the first real competitor I got because I started sports thanks to her and we competed for the first time at the World Championships in 2015. We are all pushing each other.” 

Charlie's Angels - the sequel 

With just over a year left until the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Sabatini is confident the three athletes can sweep the podium again in front of a full crowd.  

It will be a special moment for the three athletes to finish on the podium together in Paris, given that Tokyo 2020 was held without spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“The best part about competing in Paris is going to be the audience. I am sure that the stadium will be full,” said Sabatini. “I see already a difference in the love of people and that gave me a lot of energy. So I am sure that Paris 2024 is going to be a great show.” 

“I think we will repeat this result (of a podium sweep) in Paris. “I hope so for all of us and for Italy, where now we are really considered icons. So we all hope to achieve the same result again.” 

When the trio celebrated in Tokyo, it was to an empty stadium in the pouring rain. For the teammates, the Worlds was an even better moment, thanks to blue skies - and cheering fans. 

“We will continue to be the Charlie’s Angels,” Contrafatto said. “It will last forever because the sky is blue and we are all in blue.” 

Follow the action from Paris 23 via the Paralympics YouTube and Facebook, plus live results on the World Para Athletics website.