Mural of Paola Egonu Defaced with Racist Graffiti

Rome's mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, has publicly condemned the vandalism of a street-art tribute to Paola Egonu, the Italian volleyball star who led her team to its first Olympic gold medal in women's volleyball. Egonu, born in Italy to Nigerian parents, has faced persistent racist abuse, with her citizenship often questioned despite her achievements. The graffiti, created by street artist Laika, depicted Egonu spiking a volleyball inscribed with the message “Stop racism, hatred, xenophobia,” celebrating her victory and addressing the discrimination she has endured. The artwork was defaced shortly after its unveiling, with the perpetrator altering Egonu's dark skin to pink and obscuring the anti-racism message. Gualtieri described the act as a “vile, shameful insult” and lamented the persistence of racism in contemporary society. He praised both Egonu's athletic accomplishments and Laika's commitment to combating xenophobia, emphasizing the need for societal progress against ignorance. The incident has sparked widespread media coverage and public outrage, with many expressing disbelief that anyone would attack a tribute to an athlete who has brought honor to Italy. Passers-by at the site of the graffiti showed support for efforts to restore the original artwork, highlighting a collective desire for change in attitudes toward race and citizenship in Italy. The vandalism has reignited discussions about citizenship laws in Italy, particularly regarding individuals born to non-Italian parents. Elly Schlein, head of the Democratic Party, reiterated the belief that those raised in Italy should be recognized as Italian citizens, advocating for legal reforms to reflect this principle.