It's finally here the long-awaited swimming medal for Italy at the London 2012 Olympics. It will not come from the pools of the Aquatic Center, but from an even more prestigious setting: the Serpentine Lake, in the heart of Hyde Park, the green lung of the City, where by completing a course 6 times you swim for a total of 10 kilometres.
Martina Grimaldi, 23 years old from Bologna, was the third fastest swimmer to cover the grueling distance: she thus brought the 18th medal, bronze, to the blue medal table. The first since swimming, and the first ever at the Games for her too, after the tenth place in Beijing 2008. Since then, a trio of world successes: bronze in 2009, gold in 2010 and silver in 2011 in Shanghai, which the have consecrated, very young, among the best interpreters of the international fund, worthy heir of the unrivaled Viola Valli, winner of eight world titles from 2001 to 2003. But never on an Olympic podium, Varese, because in her time swimming in open water was not yet considered a discipline worthy of a five-circle event.
Instead, Martina Grimaldi succeeded, reviving the fortunes of Azzurri water sports on one of the last possible occasions: only she and her colleague were left Valerio Cleri, engaged in the men's 10 km scheduled for Friday, also a world champion but never a medalist at the Olympics. Not to mention the chances of Settebello, who will face Serbia in a very tough semi-final but which could mean a podium finish.
Now the medals for Italy are 18, but virtually already 21 thanks to the boxers Cammarelle, Russo and Mangiacapre qualified in the semifinals (in boxing there is no final for bronze). The last chances to further round up the loot, in addition to those already mentioned, come from swimming, triple jump and rhythmic gymnastics. Barring surprises, always welcome.
