Giorgia Villa and the courage to say ‘enough is enough’: ‘I chose my health’

Giorgia Villa had grown accustomed to living with the pain, concealed beneath her leotard and highly technical, high-difficulty routines. Then, for the gymnast born in 2003, it became too much; it began to take a toll on her everyday life. And so, one Saturday in May, during the 2026 Artistic Gymnastics Final Eight, she called it a day in front of her home crowd in Bergamo. “After the Paris Games, I took a month off to treat my back problems. I had some more thorough medical examinations: I was in excruciating pain, taking up to six painkillers a day and having daily injections. Gradually, I got better. I carried on training until halfway through last year, and then I reached a point where I just couldn’t go on any longer; this suffering wouldn’t go away because it was a problem that couldn’t be solved. I started doing only gym workouts, no longer focusing on apparatus exercises. At the start of 2026, it dawned on me: by not doing artistic gymnastics, the pain had gone away.”

It was a reality check, but one that put things into perspective and, paradoxically, brought a sense of peace. “Sport has always been a part of me, but I’ve prioritised my health so that I can feel good in my everyday life. There was a time when I couldn’t even get dressed – my mum had to do it for me – I couldn’t drive, I couldn’t sit up, and when I went to a restaurant, I had to ask for a cushion because otherwise I wasn’t even able to eat. I’ve prioritised my wellbeing and now, physically, I’m fine. Even before Paris 2024, I wasn’t in peak physical condition; I was crying almost every day. For me – someone who’s always enjoyed going to the gym – it had become difficult to do so; I was gloomy and saw only darkness. After the Olympics, I looked for a solution but couldn’t find one; the doctor actually told me that continuing to practise my sport wouldn’t be good for me.”

It all began with a problem during the Covid pandemic, a difficult time for the gymnast from Lombardy. In July 2021: her leotard was in her bag, her flight ticket was booked, and there was just one final competition left: the Italian National Championships in Naples. Six days before setting off for the Tokyo Olympic Games, on that very occasion, Villa—who was set to be the youngest member of the Italian team—suffered a sprained left ankle. She had to say goodbye to the Olympic Games. Three years later, the gymnast from Bergamo achieved what she deserved: a place at the Paris Olympics and a silver medallion in the team event. “The hardest part was accepting that I wouldn’t be able to perform at my very best. As soon as I’d finished my routine, the word ‘the end’ was already in my head. I’ve always believed that fate plays a part: in Tokyo I’d already had back pain, a sort of warning sign, but I told myself I’d have to wait four years to have the satisfaction of winning a medal… it wasn’t easy, but it means that’s just how it was meant to be. Given my past experience, I told myself, ‘Either I give it a go now, or I’ll never be able to do it.’ I gave it my all, and it took its toll, but having won the silver, I’d do it all again.”

An object of immense value, particularly on a symbolic level: “I hardly ever look at it; I’m afraid of spoiling it. I’ve only opened it once to show it to my cousins. It’s the most precious gift; sometimes I see the box and think back on everything that’s happened. I have no regrets; in fact, it always gives me goosebumps.” It is a unique emotion she experienced while practising the sport that led her to leave her loved ones behind. “I was three when I started and left home at nine. I never sat still, I didn’t listen to anyone, I always wanted to be on the move… to be active, and that’s when I realised that would be my life. Gymnastics changed my life. I’d like to thank my parents for taking me to the gym and the Fiamme Oro for supporting me over the years; in fact, I’ll be staying in the police force.”

Now she looks to the future with her head held high and without fear: “I’ve never been afraid of anything, not even when the doctor told me not to do gymnastics; I’m not afraid of tomorrow. It’s always been a dream of mine to be a coach: I’m already running several training sessions and I love working with the little ones. I want to pass on what I’ve experienced. Playing sport shouldn’t feel like a chore: I try to make sure they have fun. You mustn’t overthink things, otherwise it becomes a burden rather than a peaceful place to have fun and make new friends. Perhaps that’s why I have no regrets about how I spent my teenage years: if you want something, you have to make sacrifices.”