Home / Disasters and Accidents / From Mud and Loss to Olympic Glory: Tesero's Story
From Mud and Loss to Olympic Glory: Tesero's Story
16 Feb
Summary
- A 1985 dam collapse devastated a valley, killing 268 people.
- The Stava Valley tragedy occurred 40 years before the Olympics arrived.
- Survivors use the Olympics as a symbol of rebirth and remembrance.
In 1985, the failure of the Prestavel Dam in Tesero, Italy, unleashed a catastrophic wave of mud and debris, claiming 268 lives and devastating the Stava Valley. Forty years later, the valley, particularly Tesero, is hosting the Olympics, a juxtaposition of past tragedy and present rebirth.
Survivors of the 1985 disaster see the Olympic Games as a potent symbol of renewal. The Tesero Cross Country Stadium stands near the site of the devastation, a tangible reminder of how far the community has come. These Games serve not only as a celebration but also as a solemn opportunity for remembrance.
By sharing their harrowing experiences, survivors like Clemente Deflorian and Graziano Lucchi aim to prevent future tragedies. They recall the immense power of the flood and the struggle to rebuild lives and communities from the wreckage. The community's resilience is evident in their efforts to move forward, transforming the site of destruction into a place of sporting celebration.
The foundation established by survivors continues to document tailings dam collapses globally, highlighting the ongoing risks. The Olympic presence in Tesero offers a moment to reflect on the past while embracing a future built on hope and remembrance, demonstrating life's capacity to be reborn even from the mud.
