Paris 2024 Olympics, Italians to medal: Gregorio Paltrinieri
Paris Olympics: Azzurri to medal
Gregorio Paltrinieri, who grew up dreaming of becoming a champion while watching the races of iconic Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe, had the opportunity to meet his idol during a training stint in Australia. A perfectionist and lover of challenges, outside of the water he's a big fan of basketball, a sport he would have started playing had it not been for his father Luca, who introduced him to the world of swimming.
His career reached a peak at the 2016 Rio Games, where he won the gold medal in the 1500 freestyle. Showing his determination and desire to take on new challenges, he later decided to work on cross-country swimming as well. Despite a difficult physical condition due to recent mononucleosis, he still managed to bring home a silver in the 800 freestyle and a bronze in the 10 km at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
His career è adorned with more than 30 medals won between World and European Championships. With the bronze he won in Doha in 2024, he enters history as the first man to win four rainbow medals in the 800 freestyle, solidifying his legend in the swimming world.
Despite his advancing age, his hunger for victories remains intact. At Paris 2024, his fourth Olympics, he è determined to be a major player both in the pool and in open water, continuing to inspire with his passion and dedication.
