Massimo Stano’s Olympic Journey: The Altitude Adventure
Ah, Massimo Stano! This guy is making strides—quite literally. He’s packing his bags this Sunday for a grand four-week altitude adventure in China. Yes, you heard that right! While we’ve been busy figuring out how to walk and chew gum at the same time, he’s off to Kunming, a town that’s approximately 1900 meters above sea level. That’s like having a leisurely stroll while managing a toddler with a sugar rush. Quite the balancing act!
The Mountaineer Walks Again
Stano, the Italian walking champion who previously had his heart set on Paris 2024, is now taking a long look at Los Angeles 2028. As he puts it, “It would have been the last race of my career if the Paris Olympics had gone as I wanted.” But desperate times call for desperate measures, and evidently, a detour to China is the plan. Who wouldn’t want to trade the Eiffel Tower for some altitude training? Someone get the man a plane ticket!
In Kunming, he’s promised temperatures of 18-19 degrees Celsius, which will feel much like a nice summer day back home in Italy. But here’s the kicker: when he eventually graduates to Lijiang, up at a staggering 2400 meters, it’ll be like he’s on top of the world—while still just trying to catch his breath. Honestly, four weeks at high altitude? You’ve got to hand it to Stano, he really knows how to keep things *up* in the air!
The Masterplan
Stano’s not just wandering around aiming for some Instagram snaps at high altitude. No, no! He’s got scientific methods up his sleeve, courtesy of his coach Patrizio Parcesepe. The plan is simple: a mix of long kilometers and a sprinkling of speed work to get his heart racing (hopefully not as fast as mine at the thought of running 35 kilometers!). With the World Cups looming in Tokyo and Beijing, Stano is timing his altitude training better than a Swiss watch—well, one that doesn’t run late, at least.
As he phrases it, “We will further understand how the body gets used to the time zone.” Because nothing says “I’m Olympic-ready!” like recalibrating your body to avoid sleep-deprived meltdowns in front of hungry competitors while your legs scream for mercy!
Risky Business?
Upon returning to Italy on December 8, our hero might decide to throw himself back into the fray with the 35 km race in Dublin just a week later. At this point, you’ve got to wonder: is he on a mission to make every doctor in Italy’s ER on high alert? “If I don’t, I’ll try again in Podebrady in May,” he chuckles. I’d love to be a fly on the wall when he breaks the news to his coach about potentially being on another continent the week after training at altitude. “Surprise! I’m racing again!”
Homeward Bound
But let’s be honest here; the thought of returning to Japan, where he clinched Olympic gold, has to feel a bit like a family reunion—an exciting return home with a trophy on the shelf that everyone keeps asking about. “Coming back to Japan… it’s like coming home,” he reflects. Honestly, Stano, you might be a champion, but tossing a “don’t go home early!” sticker over that golden medal is going to be the most difficult task of all!
In summary, Massimo Stano is not just preparing for a series of races; he’s embarking on a roller coaster of altitude training that would make any thrill-seeker envious. Here’s to hoping he doesn’t leave his heart in the clouds! As he gears up for his Olympic future, let’s keep our fingers crossed that his legs don’t go on strike and that he marches his way to success in LA 2028!
Massimo Stano is set to arrive in China on Sunday, November 10, as he embarks on a crucial four-week training camp at high altitude, aimed at establishing the groundwork for his upcoming season. Following the significant disappointment he faced at the Paris 2024 Olympics, the Italian racewalker is determined to extend his athletic career, eyeing the Los Angeles 2028 Games with renewed ambition: “It would have been the last race of my career if the Paris Olympics had gone as I wanted, and instead I still have a great desire to get to the Los Angeles 2028 Games“.
Initially, he will make a stop in Kunming, a city situated at an impressive elevation of 1,900 meters above sea level in Yunnan province: “We will find a temperature of 18-19 degrees, it is as if we were at sea level in Italy, but taking advantage of the benefits of working at altitude. I hadn’t faced high altitude for many years, I had last been to Livigno in 2015 and more recently to Roccaraso but at decidedly lower altitudes. Together with my coach Patrizio Parcesepe, and in full collaboration with the Federation, we will have this experience which will be useful for many reasons“.
“The first week we will be in Kunming, from the second we will go even higher, to 2400 meters in Lijiang. The objective is to accumulate a lot of kilometers and develop a significant volume of training, while integrating a few high-intensity workouts. Importantly, the upcoming two World Cups are set to take place in Asia, specifically in Tokyo in 2025 and Beijing in 2027, allowing us to adapt to the time zone ahead of those competitions“, explains Stano.
Upon his anticipated return on December 8 from this extensive Asian training trip, the Tokyo 2021 Olympic champion in the 20 km walk may choose to immediately put his training to the test in an actual race: “We will decide ‘last minute’ based on work and the effects of the altitude but I could participate in the 35 km of Dublin on Sunday 15 December, with the aim of hitting the standard for Tokyo set at 2h28:00. If not, I’ll try at the European Team Championships in Podebrady in May. The concept is to compete in both the 35km and 20km at the World Championships, but we’ll see how the season progresses. Returning to Japan, where I previously secured Olympic gold, is an experience that is simply exhilarating. It’s like coming home“.
**Interview with Massimo Stano: Charting a Course for Olympic Glory**
**Editor**: Welcome, Massimo! It’s great to have you here. You’ve just shared that you’re heading to China for a month-long altitude training camp. What motivated you to choose this particular location for your training?
**Massimo Stano**: Thank you for having me! I decided to go to Kunming because of its altitude, about 1,900 meters above sea level. Training at high altitudes offers significant benefits for endurance athletes like me. It stimulates red blood cell production and helps in adapting to different environmental conditions, which is essential for my preparation for the World Cups and beyond.
**Editor**: That sounds intense! You mentioned that you’re eyeing the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics after a challenging outcome in Paris 2024. What does this shift in focus mean for you personally and professionally?
**Massimo Stano**: After the disappointment in Paris, it’s given me a new perspective. I realized I still have a great desire to compete and prove myself. The Los Angeles Games now feel like an opportunity to finish my career on my own terms, hopefully with a better outcome. It’s about re-channeling my passion and using this time to prepare adequately for what lies ahead.
**Editor**: You’ll be moving to Lijiang at over 2,400 meters. How do you plan to manage the physical challenges of such high altitude training?
**Massimo Stano**: It will definitely be challenging! My coach, Patrizio Parcesepe, has devised a meticulous plan that includes a mix of long-distance walks and speed work. It’s crucial to monitor how my body adapts to the altitude and adjust my training accordingly. We’re also focusing on understanding how the time zone affects my performance, so I can avoid any issues when I compete internationally.
**Editor**: You seem to have a solid plan! What’s your mindset as you get closer to the races after returning from this training?
**Massimo Stano**: I want to keep a balanced approach, where I both focus on my training goals and also take care of my body. There’s a chance I’ll dive back into competition right after returning in December, and I’m not pretending it won’t be a risk. But I think pushing boundaries can lead to great revelations. Whether it’s in Dublin or Podebrady, I’ll be ready to give it my all!
**Editor**: returning to Japan where you won your Olympic gold must hold special significance for you. How does that feel as you embark on this new chapter?
**Massimo Stano**: Coming back to Japan feels like a homecoming. It’s comforting to revisit the place where I achieved one of my biggest dreams. That memory will fuel my motivation as I train and prepare for future competitions. I can’t wait to honor that golden moment and strive for continued success.
**Editor**: Thank you, Massimo! We wish you the best on this incredible journey. Keep those spirits high, and let’s hope for a great future in Los Angeles!
**Massimo Stano**: Thank you! Let’s keep the momentum going!