Valerio Catoia was handed a medal by Olympic swimming champion Stefano Battistelli when he was just 17-years-old.
But it wasn’t because of his swimming career or competing in the Special Olympics.
Catoia, who has Downs syndrome, was being given the medal along with a plate of generosity and courage by Italy’s Sports Minister Luca Lotti for saving the life of a child who was drowning while swimming at Sabaudia Beach.
Now he’s being hailed as a “solidarity champion of Italy” and inspiring those who also have Downs syndrome his country.
According to Aleteia, Catoia started swimming when he was just 3-year-old. His family wanted Catoia to develop endurance and muscle strength that would help him get along in the water on his own.
Catoia took a liking to swimming and spent his life training. So much so that he competed in the Special Olympics and completed training for rescuing people out at sea.
All those skills helped Catoia to one day save a life.
Catoia was enjoying a day on the sea with his family on Sabaudia Beach, which is located in the Italian region of Lazio. He was with his father and younger sister when they all heard two girls crying out for help.
The tide was dragging the 10 and 14-year-old out to sea as they tried to get back to the shore. Both Catoia and his dad raced into the water as fast as they could to save the girls.
They each grabbed one of the girls and brought them to shore.
Catoia is credited with administered a lifesaving technique that he learned in his first aid course that kept the girl’s head positioned in a way to keep her head above water.
They were able to reach the girls faster than the lifeguards that were on duty.
Word of Catoia’s rescue spread throughout Italian newspapers as well as to media outlets around the world. This eventually lead to Catoia being honored by the current Italian Sports Minister as well as the former prime minister Matteo Renzi.
They praised Catoia for his bravery saying that were proud that Italy is home to such a citizen.
Catoia said he planned to continue is swimming training and was looking forward to attending school in the fall. You can watch the video of Catoia being honored and receiving his medal below.
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