European Swimming Championships: Italy on a Roll—Martinenghi and Quadarella Win Gold
Italnuoto is putting on a spectacular show at the Olympic Aquatic Center in Paris. On the second day of the European Championships, the Italian team had a banner day, winning two gold medals and two bronze medals, in addition to a personal best and five qualifying times for Wednesday afternoon’s finals.
The continental titles were won by Nicolò Martinenghi in the 100-meter breaststroke and Simona Quadarella in the 800-meter freestyle. The bronze medals went to Simone Cerasuolo, also in the 100-meter breaststroke, and to a historic Sara Curtis in the 100-meter freestyle. Italy’s medal tally thus rises to five podium finishes (2 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze).
Nicolò Martinenghi reaffirms his status as a top-tier athlete capable of reinventing himself, finding new motivation, and once again pushing beyond his limits. In Paris, in the pool where he had lit the Olympic cauldron in 2021 with a bronze in the 100-meter breaststroke, the 27-year-old from Varese returned to the top step of the podium and claimed European gold in 58.58 seconds.
The Italian team captain also led an extraordinary Simone Cerasuolo, who surprised everyone from lane 8 and finished third in 58.90 seconds, at the end of a courageous final that was fiercely contested right down to the last stroke. Sandwiched between the two Italians was Russia’s Ivan Kozhakin, who took silver in 58.68.
Radiant, determined, and simply happy. Simona Quadarella claimed her fourth European title in the 800-meter freestyle, following her victories in Glasgow 2018, Budapest 2021, and Rome 2022. It’s a historic achievement, as the 27-year-old Roman becomes the first European athlete to win four gold medals in this event in the history of the competition.
The CC Aniene swimmer finished in 8’15″55, taking the lead for good after passing Germany’s Isabel Gose at the 400-meter mark. The silver medal went to Gose, who finished second in 8’18″44, while the bronze went to her compatriot Maya Werner in 8’22″55.
