August 2008
GTA This Month

"My passion is my inspiration, the force that drives me to compete for Canada."
– Massimo Bertocchi

The Olympic Motto "Citius, Altius, Fortius", a Latin phrase meaning "Swifter, Higher, Stronger" perfectly characterizes one of the 331 Canadian athletes who is heading to Beijing to represent our country in this year’s Summer Olympics.
In the true spirit of sportsmanship, Canada’s #1 decathlete, Massimo Bertocchi, took time out of his busy schedule a few days before packing his bags to head off to Beijing. Despite the heavy downpour, He graced GTA This Month with his presence to ensure that the whole of Canada realizes how proud he is to be a part of the Canadian team.

Born in 1985, our charming 6' 5" athlete Massimo grew up in North York, Ontario where he developed his passion for sports at an early age. In elementary, he had started watching the Olympic Games and aspired to compete in the event one day. Indeed, that day has arrived.

Winning his personal best in the Canadian Track and Field Championships held in Windsor, Ontario this year, with a score of 8014 beating the Olympic A standard, there is no doubt that Massimo is a competitive, well-trained, disciplined  and a superior athlete.

Hoping to inspire all of Canada and help support our athletes in Beijing, GTA This Month is honoured to share the life story of an athlete, from our very own, Massimo Bertocchi.

GTA: When and how did you discover your passion for competing in this kind of sports?
MB: When I was a little kid, I started watching the Olympics and have always wanted to be a part of it. I started with high jump and then gradually converted to become a decathlete.

GTA: Do you play any other sports?
MB: No. I don’t. There is no time for other sports. I cannot risk any injuries.

GTA: Describe the greatest moment of your athletic career so far.
MB: Winning the Nationals this year and making it to the finals. My personal best were at javelin and the 1500m run.

GTA: How would you like the Canadians to support you as you compete in Beijing?
MB: To donate $8 for 08.08.08. When you donate $8 through http://www.canadianathletesnow.ca you will receive the name of the athlete that you supported and will be able to follow their progress during the event. It is for a good cause and it is tax deductible.

GTA: What has been the driving force that makes you who you are? Who or what is your inspiration?
MB: My passion is my inspiration, the force that drives me to compete for Canada. Just the opportunity that we have here is great.

GTA: Where do you see yourself a few years from now? Would you still be pursuing your athletic endeavors?
MB: I will still be in sports, hopefully competing in higher competitions such as the World Championships, and (of course) Olympics 2012.

GTA: Aside from being athletic, what other areas do you excel in that you think you may want to pursue
if you were given the opportunity?
MB: Cooking. I took Culinary in George Brown. I do hope to become a chef and put up my own place.

GTA: Any words of advice to those young athletes who would want to follow your footsteps?
MB: Just be yourself. Play a bunch of sports, just go crazy, if you wanna be a decathlete, be prepared to train for long hours. In sports, you will meet a lot of great guys, and it’s important to remember that competition is with each other and not against each other.

GTA: Do you consider yourself as a role model, why or why not?
MB: Yes I can see myself as a role model to young kids, showing them what you can achieve and accomplish with hard work.

GTA: How have you prepared for your competition in Beijing?
MB: Three long years of hard training. This consists of 6 days training per week, twice a day. Each month there are 2 hard training weeks and 1 easy week.

GTA: What’s your greatest challenge in the field?
MB: The most difficult thing is controlling my emotions and adrenaline level through the events. I need to learn how to control my energy level, as there is a 30-minute gap in between events. I need to learn how to bring my energy level back up.

GTA: When you leave the country to compete what would you bring with you that would encourage you and inspire you to do the best that you can?
MB: The thought that I would be competing for Canada is a huge thing. The opportunity is amazing. I will be doing it for all of Canada, for those who want to be there and couldn’t be there, and of course doing it for myself.

As a decathlete, Massimo after spending years and long hours of rigid training will be competing in 10 Athletics sports events which are: 100 metre-run, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400 metre-run, 110-metre hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and 1500-metre run.

The Athletics sports events require heaps of strength and energy. Let us, Canadians, keep Massimo’s energy and strength levels high by showing our support because his every run, every jump and every throw is not only for himself, but also for Canada.

Please show your continued support by donating to the 08.08.08.
Visit: http://www.canadianathletesnow.ca/articles/8-for-08.08.08-event-challenge-1.html

From GTA This Month, we would like to say, "Good luck Massimo, and bring home the gold."