MEN'S OLYMPIC GOLF COMPETITION

July 30, 2024

Fabrizio Zanotti

Le Golf National

Paraguay

Quick Quotes

Q. Can you talk me through as an athlete when you found out that you were going to be a flag bearer was it the day before, and how do you react:

FABRIZIO ZANOTTI: Actually this time was like a little surprise for me because I just getting into the Games the last days. I was just 60, I was just on the cut line. It was a little surprise for me that they gave me again but they told me that they had no other option, they were just waiting me to qualify actually.

Q. That says a lot for and you your place in Paraguay sports?

FABRIZIO ZANOTTI: Yeah, it's something very big for me. I'm proud of that and it's really great to have the flag in the Opening Ceremony was a really nice experience.

Q. You said it felt different to Tokyo. There were fans. How did you find the evening itself?

FABRIZIO ZANOTTI: You see the Opening Ceremony, it was totally different to other ceremonies. But yes it was different because we were in a boat is and we were all together. Normally when you get in a stadium, the two bearers, they just walk along in the front and all the team is behind and walking like in lines.

But this one was like, we are in a boat and we were all together. It was really nice.

Q. How many people were on the boat from Paraguay? Was it ten?

FABRIZIO ZANOTTI: No, it was probably 15, 16.

Q. You spoke about just getting into the field. Do you go into this week like there's nothing to lose but lots to gain?

FABRIZIO ZANOTTI: Yeah, probably yes, but always want to try your best and maybe Paraguay have only one medal in all sport history in football. You always want to take one for your country for you for everything, you know.

Obviously DP World Tour members, we know Le Golf National, come here every year.

Q. How much of a benefit do you think that is? Can you take these practise days quite relaxed?

FABRIZIO ZANOTTI: Yeah, that's my plan. I know the golf course really, really good, and I just play nine today and maybe nine on Tuesday and nine on Wednesday. The golf course is fantastic conditions, great greens, fairways. The rough is really tough. The best I see the golf course.

Q. The experience of the Olympics, are you staying on site?

FABRIZIO ZANOTTI: I've been in the Village for two days, the Olympic Village, and it's a really nice experience. It's very different because golf is so lonely and when you are in the Village with all the other athletes from other sports, you feel like you are in a team. It's a really nice sensation, asking others when you play which part. It's more like you feel part of a team. That's really good. I like a lot that.

Q. We don't really have anything like this. Obviously the Europeans have the Ryder Cup.

FABRIZIO ZANOTTI: Yeah, Presidents Cup, also, but I never play one. But it's only a thing of 12 players. It's not easy.

Q. And you're all in the same sport. How do you think, once the tournament finishes, the messages that you receive, because obviously the sport has transcend globally. Obviously there are some countries we never reach. Some of the messages from Tokyo and Rio, and this will be your third Olympics, can you talk about that?

FABRIZIO ZANOTTI: Yeah, it's getting bigger and bigger. You see the field this week, it's very strong. The players are having a commitment now. It's very good. I think the Olympics is something to show and grow the sport and something like that, and having golf, also, I think is really good for golf, probably, yeah.

Q. You have your family with you?

FABRIZIO ZANOTTI: Yeah, my wife and three kids, they are here with me. Obviously that's quite different also from Tokyo because in Tokyo with the pandemic and the quarantine, that's not possible. Anyway, Tokyo was a little too far from Paraguay to go.

But yes, my little nine-year-old boy, he was so happy that I get in, and he wanted to be here and see me playing. So it really means a lot to me. Probably on Thursday when they announce me on the first tee, I'm going to be probably really emotional to see my family there. I think it's really good.