Vannacci's 'Futurist Triathlon' Sees Low Turnout, Politician Defends Sports for Youth

Futuro Nazionale leader Roberto Vannacci organized a "futurist triathlon" in Sanremo, involving running, cycling, and swimming. However, the event attracted minimal participation, with only about two dozen people joining the cycling portion, a dozen for swimming, and half a dozen for running.

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Young people who play sports in the evening don't go around being thugs or joining baby gangs because they have to train the next day.

Vannacci, who led the cycling segment at 32 km/h and completed a 600-meter swim, asserted that sports participation deters young people from engaging in delinquent behavior. "Young people who play sports in the evening don't go around being thugs or joining baby gangs because they have to train the next day," he stated. He cited his own daughters as an example, saying they sleep at night instead of going out.

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The proof? My daughters play sports, so in the evening they go to sleep instead of going out and don't encounter thugs.

Despite the low turnout, Vannacci remained in good spirits, singing Édith Piaf and joking about his role. When reminded of Beppe Grillo's 2012 participation in a similar event, Vannacci was dismissive, saying, "Beppe? They pulled him out halfway through like a tuna."

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Beppe? They pulled him out halfway through like a tuna.

The event, which included a 20-kilometer bike ride and a short run, was described by Vannacci as a "demonstration." He announced a more demanding event scheduled for September 26. The article notes a spectator's sarcastic question: "But when will they go to harvest the wheat?"

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It was a demonstration, for the demanding one I'll see you on September 26. Now everyone to lunch.