2026 European Swimming Championships: Ginevra Taddeucci Wins Gold Again. Barbara Pozzobon Also Makes the Podium

Ginevra Taddeucci steals the show once again at the 2026 European Swimming Championships. Just 24 hours after her triumph in the 10 km, the Italian swimmer delivers another masterpiece in the 5 km event, winning her second consecutive gold medal and achieving a feat never before accomplished by an Italian swimmer: winning both the 5 km and 10 km events in the same edition of the continental championships. This double victory cements her place in open-water swimming history, a feat previously achieved only by Gregorio Paltrinieri on the men’s side in 2021.

The 5-km race was a showcase of control, composure, and strength: Taddeucci managed every phase with tactical precision, making her decisive move in the final stretch and finishing in 1:02.31, ahead of the rest of the field. Barbara Pozzobon also took her place on the podium, finishing third and claiming the European bronze behind Hungary’s Mihalyvari Farkas, who won silver, 2.21 seconds behind the Italian. For the 32-year-old, this is her fifth European medal—her first at this distance—confirming her consistency at the very highest level.

Italy’s total now stands at six gold medals, which, combined with four silvers and eight bronzes, propel the country to the top of the medal count. And open-water swimming could bring further success: Thursday is a rest day, while Friday will feature the men’s and women’s 3-kilometer events, and Saturday will see the 4×1500-meter relay—races in which the Italian team will aim to cap off an already memorable week in style.

The other four gold medals at the Paris event all came from diving, with Chiara Pellacani winning both the 1-meter and 3-meter springboard events, as well as the 3-meter springboard synchronized event with Matteo Santoro and the team event with Santoro, Sarah Jodoin Di Maria, and Raffaele Pelligra in the Mixed Team Event.