Grand Italy at Worlds, Paltrinieri gold: “They were making fun of me…”

The Azzurri also celebrate Pilato’s silver and Ceccon’s bronze.

Fantastic Saturday for Italy’s swimming team at the ongoing World Championships in Budapest: Gregorio Paltrinieri won by dominating the 1500 freestyle race, setting a new European record and edging out second-placed Bobby Finke of St. Petersburg by four seconds.

“Before the final my friends were teasing me because they were telling me I was given 26 as the winner,” Paltrinieri’s words after the race. “I could not accept being given 26 and I wanted to do the race I prefer. I knew I was not the one in the 800 and here I could win two golds.”

Another good day for Benedetta Pilato, who after her gold in the 100 breaststroke won a silver medal in the 50 breaststroke, beaten only by Lithuania’s Ruta Meilutyte. Thomas Ceccon, bronze in the 50 backstroke, also did very well.