Oscar De Pellegrin
Italian Paralympic archer and former sports shooter, six-time Paralympian.
RobertoSer · CC BY-SA 4.0
Oscar De Pellegrin (born 17 May 1963) is an Italian Paralympic archer and former Paralympic sports shooter. He began competing in 1990 after a friend introduced him to sport, following a tractor accident on the family farm that caused his disability. Over his career, he became a leading figure in the Disabled Italian National Team in both archery and shooting, earning 70 Italian titles, 11 Italian records, and 4 world records.
After winning a team gold medal at the 2000 Paralympics, he was made a commendatore of the Italian Republic, and the Italian National Olympic Committee awarded him its highest honor, the collare d'oro. In 2006, he was the final torch-bearer for the Olympic Flame in Belluno, lighting the tripod in the city’s main square. He served as Italy’s flag bearer at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.
Archery is the only sport where no distinction is made between able-bodied and disabled athletes, and because of this, De Pellegrin joined the Italian National Team in 1993 and 1994. He competed in six Paralympic Games: Barcelona (1992), Atlanta (1996), Sydney (2000), Athens (2004), Beijing (2008), and London (2012). In 2009, he set a Guinness World Record alongside Marco Vitale and Alberto Simonelli by shooting light bulbs. In 2022, he was elected mayor of Belluno.
Quick Facts
- Office
- Mayor of Belluno
- Term Start
- 17 June 2022
- Predecessor
- Jacopo Massaro
- Birth Date
- 1963-05-17
- Birth Place
- Belluno, Veneto, Italy
- Party
- Centre-right independent
- Profession
- Archer, sports manager
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Oscar De Pellegrin's disability resulted from a tractor accident on the family farm. He began sport in 1990 due to a friend. In archery and shooting, he achieved 70 Italian titles, 11 Italian records, and 4 world records. Archery is the only sport where there are no distinctions between able-bodied and disabled athletes; because of this, in 1993 and 1994 he became part of the Italian National Team. He represented Italy at six Paralympic Games: Barcelona (1992), Atlanta (1996), Sydney (2000), Athens (2004), Beijing (2008), and London (2012).
Reader's Guide
Oscar De Pellegrin's significance lies in his long and decorated career across two Paralympic sports, archery and shooting, and his role as a prominent figure in Italian disability sport. After winning a team gold medal at the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney, he was decorated with the title of commendatore of the Italian Republic, and the CONI awarded him its highest honorary medal, the Collare d'Oro. In 2006 he was chosen as the last torch-bearer of Belluno's leg for the Olympic Flame of Turin 2006, lighting the tripod in the city's main plaza. In 2012 he served as Italy's flag bearer at the Paralympic Games in London. In 2009 he earned a Guinness World Record together with Marco Vitale and Alberto Simonelli for shooting light bulbs. His legacy includes 70 Italian titles, 11 Italian records, and 4 world records, and in 2022 he was elected mayor of Belluno.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Oscar De Pellegrin?
He is an Italian Paralympic archer and former sports shooter born on 17 May 1963. He is best known as a six-time Paralympian who represented Italy in both archery and shooting disciplines.
How did Oscar De Pellegrin get into competitive sport?
A tractor accident on his family farm left him disabled, and a friend introduced him to competition in 1990. That single introduction launched a decades-long career in Paralympic archery and shooting.
How many Paralympic Games did Oscar De Pellegrin compete in?
He appeared at six Games, spanning Barcelona in 1992, Atlanta in 1996, Sydney in 2000, Athens in 2004, Beijing in 2008, and London in 2012. His career in international competition stretched over more than two decades.
What are Oscar De Pellegrin's major titles and records?
Over his career he collected 70 Italian national titles, set 11 Italian records, and established 4 world records. He was a leading figure in the Disabled Italian National Team across both archery and shooting.
What recognition did Oscar De Pellegrin receive after the 2000 Paralympics?
After winning a team gold medal in Sydney, he was appointed a commendatore of the Italian Republic. The Italian National Olympic Committee also honored him with its top award.
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