Toned Bodies at Radio Bocconi

Fitness and body building have become mainstream phenomena. Gyms and related products (integrators, exercise machines, clothing, etc.) create a business of several million euros. On top of all this, there is an authentic and innocent passion in those who contributed to popularizing the sport so many years ago.

Walter Ghezzi, is 41 years old, a three-time Italian champion, placed fourth at the European Championships, and is now a CONI director and head of Lombardy in the fight against drugs. This athlete was a guest this morning on Sport Club, the Radio Bocconi sports program, which airs Tuesdays and Fridays at 1pm.

In a steady flow of anecdotes and information, Walter Ghezzi spoke to Chiara, Daria and Riccardo, the show's DJs, who focused more on holding him back than on prompting him.

"I started out when I was very young", he says, "around 15-16 years old, in part to build up my thin body, and in part to imitate the great American champions. In '86 I took part in my first competitions, later winning the Italian title for three consecutive years and ranking fourth in the Europeans. I've participated in about 50 competitions in all at an Italian and European level".

Then, in 2000, he retired from competition and made the transition to the other side of the fence. "Unfortunately the sad problem of drugs started to come into the limelight. This is one of the reasons I stopped competing. Building your body to its best state naturally requires time and lots of training and some people don't know how to wait, so they resort to illegal substances".
But what is a competition, to a body-builder? "Body-building is the highest expression of individualism in sports", explains Walter. "You train mostly to improve your body. You only end up competing when you feel the need to compare yourself to others".