In the world of sports, there are countless stories that inspire us, but few are as heartwarming and humorous as that of Canadian swimmer Marco DiLorenzo and his father. Before each race, Marco engages in a playful gesture that makes viewers do a double take: he flips the bird. While some might assume it’s aimed at his competitors or the audience, the truth is even more endearing—he’s actually giving a cheeky salute to his dad, who’s cheering from the stands.
Let’s rewind a bit. When Marco was just a young boy of eight, he struggled with self-doubt and faced tough competition at swim meets. His father, Frank DiLorenzo, recognized his son’s frustration and decided it was time for a confidence boost. “I told him, ‘Enough is enough,’” Frank recalls. “When you get on those blocks, forget about everyone else and just swim like you own the pool. When he asked me how to do that, I jokingly said, ‘Just say screw it!’ So, we started this little tradition where we’d exchange gestures before every race, and suddenly, Marco began to win.”
However, this playful tradition took a slight turn during a junior nationals event. Frank was seated behind the cameras, and Marco, unaware of the focus on him, appeared to deliver a rather inappropriate gesture to the world. Following the incident, he penned an apology, but the ritual continued—albeit with a slight modification. Instead of a blatant salute, Marco now opts for the classic “I’m just scratching my forehead with my longest finger” maneuver once he’s behind the starting blocks.
While telling the world to “screw off” might not be the conventional method for easing pre-race nerves, it certainly works for them. Especially for an underdog like Marco, this ritual serves as a reminder that he’s just as tough as his larger competitors. It’s a bonding moment between father and son, both saying in their own way, “Let’s show them what we’ve got.”
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In summary, the heartwarming and humorous bond between Marco DiLorenzo and his father Frank showcases how unique traditions can foster confidence and connection, even in the competitive world of sports.
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