2024-08-01 12:21:45
PARIS. His dream has always been to become stronger than her. But Katie Ledecky remains from another planet: Simona Quadrella bows to her majesty freestyle, as does the rest of the world, and ends up at the foot of the podium in the 1500m freestyle, dominated by the American, who with the gold won at the Defense Arena in Paris, her eighth Olympic title, is the most successful woman in the history of the five rings.
A solo performance by the American legend, a disappointment for the Roman swimmer from the Italian Swimming team who had already failed in the longest distance in the pool three years ago in Tokyo, mitigating the disappointment of that time with the bronze in the 800. This time, with the American competing on her own, the Italian remained clinging to the virtual bronze, engaging in an aquatic battle with the German. Isabel Gosethird in the end, behind the French Anastasia Kirpichnikova.
“It’s a huge disappointment, I fought until the end, I was so tired, my legs were bursting – the bitter comment of the reigning world champion of 1500 and 800 freestyle – they are athletes that I have always beaten in the last races, I felt good. I don’t know, maybe there were too many expectations, I experienced this as the most important race of my life, maybe I’ll get to do another Olympics, but it was still as if it was the last bullet to fire, It was my race, the one in which I had to do better. Now there are the 800, but I don’t feel it’s so mine”. Simona “Veleno” (a nickname that was not given to her by her opponents but by her mother, thanks to the swimmer’s good temperament) has collected many joys in these years. Nine world medals, 11 European titles, she really wanted the medal here in Paris, she who is one of the few to have never changed technical guide, faithful to her Christian Minotti at the edge of the pool since forever. Dad Carlo took her to the pool when she was very small, mom Marzia always followed her, her sister Erica her idol. A family that accompanied the successes of these years and that here in Paris cheered for her. But the American is a Martian for everyone, at the Paris Games she goes to take the eighth title of a career that began in London 2012 when she was just fifteen and already then crowned by the gold of the five rings.
The first of a series that does not end after 12 years. And in the first evening without medals for Italy, by only 7 hundredths of a second Thomas Ceccon (1’56” 59) misses the qualification for the final act of the 200 backstroke at the Paris Olympics. The Italian finishes fourth in the semifinal, but is ninth after the crossing of the times, preceded by the Spaniard Hugo Gonzalez (1’56” 52). Disappointment for the world record holder in the 100 backstroke who two days ago, in his favorite race, had put the gold medal around his neck. The Hungarian was the best in the pool Hubert Kosfirst in 1’55” 96. «It’s a shame for missing the final» the words of the Italian. «It’s a shame because one more race doesn’t hurt, there wasn’t the same concentration as in the 100, it’s a shame
. It was a linear race, maybe I dropped off at the end. On the other hand I’m tired too, we don’t sleep much, it’s hot in the village but I’m not complaining, it’s everyone’s problem. Now for the relay we’ll see if I do it or save myself to do the mixed on Saturday. I’ll take a couple of days off”. Meanwhile the Swede sits on the Olympic throne of the women’s 100 freestyle Sarah Sjoestroemdisappointment for the Australian Mollie O’Callaghan even finished at the foot of the podium. And Leon Marchand He made the Marseillaise resound again in the temple of swimming, going on to win first the 200 butterfly and then the 200 breaststroke after the success in the 400 medley. Bad Alberto Razzettilast in the final. And the evening ends with the first world record of this Olympic edition thanks to the unreal performance of the Chinese Zhanle Pan in the 100 freestyle. It was the queen race awaited by all, the Asian athlete won it in 46″40 improving by 4 tenths clear (46″80) the all-time record that belonged to him anyway. The pursuers can only be satisfied: silver for the Australian Kyle Chalmers (47″48), bronze for the Romanian David Popovich (47″49).
2024-08-01 12:21:45