European Swimming Championships: Who Is Alessandra Mao, the 15-Year-Old Italian Silver Medalist Who Moved Everyone?

The Italian quartet—composed of Emma Virginia Menicucci, Sara Curtis, Chiara Tarantino, and Alessandra Mao—won the silver medal in the 4×100 freestyle relay final at the European Swimming Championships in Paris, setting a new Italian record of 3’33″19. The Italian team finished second only to the Netherlands: standing out among them, in addition to the new sensation Sara Curtis, is the rising star Alessandra Mao, the youngest swimmer on the Italian team at the European Swimming Championships.

Alessandra Mao is 15 years old; she was born in Venice and lives in Mogliano. Her father, Leone, is a gondolier; her mother, Romina, is a multiple winner of historic regattas; and her older brother, Federico, is also a swimmer—she was simply destined for greatness. Alessandra stunned Italy by winning the 200-meter freestyle at the Spring National Championships in Riccione at age 14, immediately making national headlines.

Mao had also shone last July at the European Junior Championships, breaking the Italian junior record that Federica Pellegrini had held since 2004 and winning gold in the 100-meter freestyle. This led to her well-deserved call-up to the senior team at just 15 years old and the splendid silver medal with her relay teammates, which feels very much like a crowning achievement. Alessandra was the fourth swimmer in the relay and didn’t let her emotions get the better of her, confidently defending second place: it was a memorable day for her.

“I’m really happy. I really love competing in this relay,” were the few words she managed to say to RAI after the race.