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Biography
Impairment information
Type of Impairment
Spinal Cord Injuries
Origin of Impairment
Acquired
Classification
S5, SB4, SM5
Further personal information
Residence
Parma, ITA
Occupation
Police Athlete
Languages
English, Italian
Higher education
Biomechanical Engineering - Polytechnic University of Milan: Italy
Sport specific information
When and where did you begin this sport?
She began swimming in 2011 in Parma, Italy.
Why this sport?
While recovering from her accident in hospital she met a member of the Italian national Para swimming team, who put her in touch with a coach. "In hospital I met a guy who had been in the Paralympics and he introduced me to the coach. I began training but then the coach moved to Reggio Emilia. I am from Parma, where there was no swimming club, so my parents started a club to allow me to swim."
Club / Team
Ego Nuoto [ITA] / GS Fiamme Oro [ITA]:
Name of coach
Matteo Poli [national]
International debut
Year
2013
Competing for
Italy
Tournament
World Championships
Location
Montreal, QC, CAN
General interest
Hobbies
Listening to music, sports. (Athlete, 09 Sep 2019)
Memorable sporting achievement
Winning a bronze medal in the S5 50m butterfly at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. (Athlete, 09 Sep 2019)
Most influential person in career
Her family. (Athlete, 09 Sep 2019)
Sporting philosophy / motto
"Sport is dealing in the best possible way with what life offers each day." (eis-team.it, 01 Jan 2019)
Awards and honours
In 2018 she received the Gold Medal for Athletic Merit from the Italian Olympic Committee [CONI] in recognition of her results at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. (Facebook page, 15 Feb 2018)
In 2017 she received the Golden Necklace for Sports Merit from the Italian Olympic Committee [CONI]. (coni.it, 12 Dec 2017)
In 2016 and 2017 she was named Athlete of the Year in Parma, Italy. (parma.repubblica.it, 06 Feb 2018; magazine.liceoattiliobertolucci.org, 08 Jan 2018; finp.it, 16 Feb 2017)
In 2017 she received the Golden Necklace for Sports Merit from the Italian Olympic Committee [CONI]. (coni.it, 12 Dec 2017)
In 2016 and 2017 she was named Athlete of the Year in Parma, Italy. (parma.repubblica.it, 06 Feb 2018; magazine.liceoattiliobertolucci.org, 08 Jan 2018; finp.it, 16 Feb 2017)
Other sports
Prior to her accident she took part in trampolining competitions. (sportconnection.it, 24 Mar 2013)
Famous relatives
Her sister Anna Ghiretti has coached swimming at the Ego Nuoto club in Parma, Italy. (finp.it, 29 Mar 2015)
Ambitions
To compete at the 2022 World Championships in Madeira, Portugal. (giuliaghiretti.it, 14 Mar 2022)
Impairment
She was a competitive trampolinist until an accident on the trampoline in January 2010 resulted in paraplegia. "All the force of the cloth [springs] focused on a vertebra which burst and from there my legs were paralysed." (Athlete, 09 Sep 2019; giuliaghiretti.it, 25 Jun 2018; TEDx Talks YouTube channel, 11 Jun 2018; Giulia Ghiretti YouTube channel, 27 Jan 2017)
Other information
AMBASSADOR
She has served as an ambassador for Paralympic sport in Italy after being selected for the role by the Italian Para Swimming Federation [FINP]. "The first thing that comes to mind is the honour of filling this prestigious role. At first it was all a bit strange, knowing people were watching me and looking for me to be an example. Anyone who succeeds must be a role model, an example, an important point of reference." (ilfaroonline.it, 06 Nov 2020)
She has served as an ambassador for Paralympic sport in Italy after being selected for the role by the Italian Para Swimming Federation [FINP]. "The first thing that comes to mind is the honour of filling this prestigious role. At first it was all a bit strange, knowing people were watching me and looking for me to be an example. Anyone who succeeds must be a role model, an example, an important point of reference." (ilfaroonline.it, 06 Nov 2020)
Results
| Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women's 50 m Butterfly S5 | Heat 2 | 2013-08-12 | 10 | |
| Women's 100 m Breaststroke SB4 | Heat 2 | 2013-08-13 | 5 | |
| Women's 100 m Breaststroke SB4 | Final 1 | 2013-08-13 | 6 | |
| Women's 4x50 m Freestyle 20pts | Final 1 | 2013-08-14 | 2 | |
| Women's 50 m Backstroke S5 | Final 1 | 2013-08-14 | 8 | |
| Women's 50 m Backstroke S5 | Heat 2 | 2013-08-14 | 7 | |
| Women's 200 m Individual Medley SM5 | Heat 1 | 2013-08-15 | 6 | |
| Women's 200 m Individual Medley SM5 | Final 1 | 2013-08-15 | 4 | |
| Women's 4x50 m Medley 20pts | Final 1 | 2013-08-16 | 4 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women's 50 m Backstroke S5 | Heat 2 | 2015-07-13 | 7 | |
| Women's 50 m Backstroke S5 | Final 1 | 2015-07-13 | 7 | |
| Women's 50 m Butterfly S5 | Final 1 | 2015-07-16 | 7 | |
| Women's 50 m Butterfly S5 | Heat 1 | 2015-07-16 | 8 | |
| Women's 100 m Breaststroke SB4 | Final 1 | 2015-07-18 | 2 | |
| Women's 100 m Breaststroke SB4 | Heat 1 | 2015-07-18 | 2 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women's 50 m Butterfly S5 | Final Round | 2016-09-10 | 3 | |
| Women's 50 m Butterfly S5 | Heat 2 | 2016-09-10 | 2 | |
| Women's 100 m Breaststroke SB4 | Heat 1 | 2016-09-11 | 1 | |
| Women's 100 m Breaststroke SB4 | Final Round | 2016-09-11 | 2 | |
| Women's 200 m Individual Medley SM5 | Final Round | 2016-09-15 | 6 | |
| Women's 200 m Individual Medley SM5 | Heat 1 | 2016-09-15 | 4 | |
| Women's 50 m Backstroke S5 | Heat 1 | 2016-09-16 | 5 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women's 100 m Breaststroke SB4 | Final 1 | 2017-12-02 | 1 | |
| Women's 50 m Butterfly S5 | Heat 2 | 2017-12-03 | 4 | |
| Women's 50 m Butterfly S5 | Final 1 | 2017-12-03 | 3 | |
| Women's 50 m Backstroke S5 | Heat 1 | 2017-12-04 | 9 | |
| Mixed 4x50 m Freestyle 20pts | Final 1 | 2017-12-07 | 2 |
