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Kenyan-based Italian coach Claudio Berardelli was on Tuesday night knighted Order of the Star of Italy (Cavaliere dell’ordine della Stella d’Italia) by President of Italy Sergio Mattarella.
This prestigious award was bestowed upon Berardelli, who is the 2Running Club head coach in Kapsabet, by undersecretary of State for Environment and Energy Claudio Barbaro at Italian ambassador’s residence in Nairobi in the presence of the ambassador Roberto Natali.
The national honour is bestowed upon Italians in recognition of their contributions to promoting Italy abroad or fostering friendly relations and cooperation between Italy and their country of residence.
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Berardelli, who has been in Kenya for close to 20 years, has trained world beaters among them double Boston Marathon champion Evans Chebet, world 800m silver medallist Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Tokyo Marathon champion Benson Kipruto.
Others who have been moulded by the seasoned trainer are Martin Lel, Priscah Jeptoo, Alfred Kirwa, Eunice Sum, Mercy Cherono, Amos Kipruto and Margaret Chelimo.
It is this level of commitment at work and accolades won in his career together with his athletes that earned him this recognition from the Italian Government.
“I am extremely happy and humbled by this recognition from the Italian Government in recognition of coaching in Kenya. I have been here for 20 years and when I first came here, I came to learn coaching from the best, the Kenyan athletes, and even now after all these years, I am their coach but the learning never stops,” he said after the recognition.
“This honour means a lot because it is given to Italians who have strengthened ties between Italy and the country they live in, in this case Italy and Kenya. Through my coaching and with the trust and belief from my athletes is the reason I am here and why I have received this award,” he added.
“I would also like to thank the Kenyan Government for allowing me to live and work here, my athletes for accepting me and all the contribution at work and as well as support staff, the physios, assistant coaches and everyone we work with including the management, because this knighthood is the hallmark of team work.
“Kenya has been key in my Coaching career and I am happy and proud for all the success and the family it has given him including a wife and kids, this remains a very important achievement to me and I am grateful.”
Some of the previous recipients have included Charlene, Princess of Monaco, Carlo Ancelotti (football manager for Real Madrid), former Italian Presidents Carlo Azeglio Ciampi and Francesco Cossiga, Fabio Luisi (Conductor of the Metropolitan Opera) and Frank Sinatra.
The title is given annually by the Italian President to outstanding figures from Italy and the world.
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Source: BBC Sport
Mentions: Claudia Berardelli Carlo Ancelotti President Of Italy Sergio Mattarella Coach
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