After two days of waiting it has finally arrived first gold medal for Italy at Paris 2024 Olympics. The 24-year-old gave it to us Nicholas Martinenghi who triumphed in 100 frog meters. Starting from lane 7, the blue made one extraordinary comeback in the final 50 meters, recovering the initial disadvantage and closing the race with a time of 59.03. He thus preceded the English Adam Peaty, silver with 59.05, and the American Nic Fink, bronze with the same time. It is the third Olympic medal for the swimmer from Varese after the two Olympic bronzes obtained in Tokyo 2020.
Martinenghi: “I seized the moment”
Interviewed immediately after the race, Martinenghi expressed his happiness: "I am speechless, except that once again I have demonstrated that time does not count but knowing how to seize the moment. The weather isn't the best, but I'm only interested in being on that podium and hearing the Italian anthem, even if I don't sing it, not out of carelessness, but out of good luck."
The champion dedicated his medal to all those who love him: “This medal is for all those who love me – my family, my girlfriend. All I needed was Olympic gold. What did I think during the race? Nothing, just staying in front.”
“This medal is for all those who love me – he added – my family, my girlfriend.
All I needed was Olympic gold. What did I think during the race? Nothing, just staying in front."
Martinenghi: “The Frog chose me”
Martinenghi's time, although not the fastest of his career, was enough to guarantee him the top step of the podium. The young swimmer was able to seize the winning moment, confirming once again his ability and talent in one of the most prestigious and feared swimming competitions, the 100 meter breaststroke, a discipline that has seen the success of great athletes such as Domenico Fioravanti in the past.
A love for this competition that Martinenghi clearly expressed: "It wasn't me who chose the breaststroke, she is the one who chose me. "
The Italian swimming world is celebrating and eagerly awaits the next competitions, starting with the men's final 100 meter backstroke this evening, where it will be protagonist Thomas Ceccon.
Olympics, Italy's medal table
Four days before the start of the Olympic Games, the The Azzurri's medal count counts 6 medals: 1 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze.
- Gold: Nicolò Martinenghi (swimming, 100 meters breaststroke)
- Argento: Filippo Ganna (road cycling, individual time trial) and Federico Nilo Maldini (air pistol, 10 metres)
- Bronze: Alessandro Miressi, Thomas Ceccon, Paolo Conte Bonin and Manuel Frigo (swimming, 4x100 meters freestyle), Luigi Samele (fencing, individual sabre), and Paolo Monna (air pistol, 10 metres).
