European Swimming Championships: Controversy Flares Up Again; Gregorio Paltrinieri Levels an Accusation

Just as happened two years ago during the Olympic Games, controversy has erupted over the water quality of the Seine—which will host the open-water swimming events—ahead of the European Swimming Championships, also scheduled to take place in Paris. Despite reassurances from the organizers, there is no shortage of athletes who are highly critical: among them is Gregorio Paltrinieri, who, in an interview with *Corriere della Sera*, also revealed that he, along with other athletes, has been advocating for a change of venue.

“At the Olympics in the 10-km race, thirty of us started, and at least ten ended up in the hospital,” said Paltrinieri, recalling what happened at the 2024 Olympic Games. I was coming off some amazing races in the pool—I’d won silver in the 1,500 and bronze in the 800—but then on the Seine, it was all just absurd. This year we’ve fought hard with European Aquatics; we sent two letters signed by the top athletes—from Wellbrock to Rasovsky—the first in January, the second a few weeks ago.”

Despite these efforts, the event organizers remained unyielding: the long-distance races, scheduled for Tuesday, August 4; Wednesday, August 5; Friday, August 7; and Saturday, August 8, will take place in the waters of the Seine. On the schedule for both men and women are the 3-km elimination sprint, as well as the 5-km and 10-km races. Mixed teams, meanwhile, will take to the water for the “team event.”

Born in 1994 and hailing from Carpi, Gregorio Paltrinieri is one of the most successful athletes in the history of Italian swimming: his list of achievements is extensive and includes 5 Olympic medals (one gold, two silvers, and two bronzes), 19 medals at the World Championships (6 gold) and another 6 (3 gold) at the World Short Course Championships, 20 medals at the European Championships (13 gold) and 6 (4 gold) at the European Short Course Championships, as well as 33 Italian national titles.