Paola Egonu, player of the Italian national volleyball team, is about to leave his team, tired of racism.

Paola Egonu is a volleyball player born in Italy and of Nigerian parents.at the age of 23, has had a brilliant career carrying her country’s flag at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. episodes of racism seem to have exhausted his patience and after playing for third place at this year’s World Cup, he would have decided to leave the national team.

Paola Egonu’s last racist episode seems to have been the straw that broke her camel’s back. And that’s what During the match for third place at the World Championships in the Dutch town of Appeldoorn, a man yelled at Egona, asking her why she was Italian, alluding to the color of her skin.. Something that the player obviously did not tolerate, and the world of sports in general, is that it seems incredible that in 2022 we are still talking about racism and, even worse, that these people can insult at any sports event.

Paola’s reaction to Egonu

Faced with this reality, and despite Italy not being champions, this tasteless comment prevented Paola Egon from celebrating his team’s bronze medal, which beat the US 3-0 on aggregate 25-20, 25-15 and 27-25. “You can’t understand, you can’t understand. They asked me why I’m Italian. This is the last game with the national team.“He told his coach after the match.

After this terrible episode and receiving hundreds of messages of support through their social networks, Egonu rethought his decision and assured that he would only take a breather, that he needed time to think and come back stronger..

Support for Paola Egonou

The volleyball player, who competed in all categories with the Italian national team, received the support of Mauro Fabris, president of the Women’s Volleyball League: “We admire you and love you. Forget about the rest. Come back to Serie A soon”, – stated in the federation. It should be noted that Paola Egonu is currently playing in the Turkish league. He also received the support of various politicians in Italy.

“It hurts me when I’m attacked because I always put my heart in and I never show disrespect. Always an honor to wear an Azzurra T-shirt. I would like to have a free summer to relax as a person and for my head. It’s ugly to say this, I don’t want to deprive my teammates of merit or respect, but the one who is singled out is always me, ”the player said in an interview with La Repubblica.

At the 23 year old among his palmari in the colors of Italy, gold and bronze medals at the European Championships and silver and bronze medals at the World Championships..