KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Giulia Koutsoyanopulos wrapped up her college softball career with Tennessee this past spring, but following her freshman year at Arizona, she got the opportunity to represent Italy at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, which was played in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
When Koutsoyanopulos made the cut for the Italian national team, she said it took a moment to set in.
"It didn't really hit me, but a little bit after I started crying, because I was like, 'Dang, I'm actually going to get to go to the Olympics,'" Koutsoyanopulos said.
She said it had always been her dream to be an Olympian, but getting that opportunity went deeper than just playing the sport she loved on that stage. Her mom is a native of Italy, which is why she had the opportunity to play for the Italian national team.
"Every time I heard the Italian national anthem I teared up a little bit, and I think it goes more than I'm Italian. I think it's a lot of me representing my mom, and I'm really thankful to be able to represent her," Koutsoyanopulos said. "I think when I put that jersey on, obviously I'm playing for my teammates next to me and the coaches, but I think about my mom."
Koutsoyanopulos still plays for the Italian national team every summer, but softball won't be played in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. That means she won't get to re-live her dream, at least this time around.
"I'm pretty sure baseball and softball are pretty big in other countries, especially Europe. I can't see why it wouldn't be in, I don't know why it's a last-whim decision," she said. "I think that's what makes me appreciate it way more too. It's not in the Olympics this year – I'm just thankful to have that opportunity, like, I got to do that."
Even though her college career has come to an end, Koutsoyanopulos plans to continue playing in hopes of helping Italy qualify for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where the support is expected to return. Not only would those games be played in her home of southern California, but this time, fans would be in attendance.
"I think it would be super exciting because my family would actually get to watch me and my friends would get to watch me, and it would be a whole new experience," Koutsoyanopulos said. "That's just what really excites me."
Koutsoyanopulos plans to teach English overseas in Europe while continuing to play softball. As of now, she said she will probably retire following the 2028 Summer Olympics.