Simona Quadarella seizes the crown in the 1,500 freestyle and earns her ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics; Alberto Razzetti qualifies with the fastest time for the 200 butterfly final, securing his third Olympic berth after the 200 and 400 individual medleys; Nicolò Martinenghi and Simone Cerasuolo advance in the 50 breaststroke and will attempt to make waves on Wednesday. The third day of the 21st World Championships at the Aspire Dome in Doha enriches the Italian swimming medal tally (1-2-0) and provides thrills.
The queen of European long-distance swimming reclaims her throne and will strive to reach the podium at the Paris Olympics in six months. Simona Quadarella accomplishes the feat, taking advantage, as she did in Gwangju 2019 when she set the Italian record at 15'40"89, of the absence of the American multiple Olympic and world champion Katie Ledecky, and secures gold in the 1,500 freestyle. The final of the 24-year-old Roman and reigning three-time European champion - representing CC Aniene, coached by Christian Minotti - is astounding as she maintains an average pace of 31.8-31.9 seconds per lap and swims in 15'46"99, comfortably faster than the Olympic qualifying time (15'55"0).
"I wanted to win, I knew it was within my reach, and I am pleased with the time, which I didn't expect to be this good." Simona Quadarella is a force to be reckoned with. Smiling and satisfied. "Even as I was swimming, I wasn't aware of the time I was clocking - continues the 25-year-old long-distance swimmer from Rome - I am also happy for my parents who have traveled a long way to be here, and in a few days, my sister who lives in Arabia will join me. Qualifying for the Olympics is an extra incentive; now I can truly focus on Paris and nothing else. This 15’46” gives me much more hope. Obviously, at the Olympics, to vie for a medal, it will require much less, but if I swim this time now, I can do even better." And to think that she might not have been at this World Championships. "Initially, it was uncertain whether to participate or not - explains Simona - There was a moment when I hesitated because the sensations weren't great, so now I am even more pleased. I dedicate this medal to myself because lately, in training, I've been struggling a lot, and it has paid off. Compared to the previous world gold medal, that of Gwangju, this one is completely different: I arrived a bit more relaxed and with fewer expectations because a world championship in February is different. I knew the gold was within my reach, but then you always have to face your opponents in the pool". Yesterday's result allows her to step onto the podium for the fifth consecutive edition, topping it twice; nationally there are two illustrious precedents: Federica Pellegrini, who climbed onto the podium eight consecutive times in the 200 freestyle between 2005 and 2019, winning four times, and Gregorio Paltrinieri five times in the 1500 freestyle between 2013 and 2022, prevailing three times. Considering the overall long-course world championship medals, the eight-time European champion stands at 6 alongside Thomas Ceccon, a figure that places them behind the usual suspects Pellegrini (11) and Paltrinieri (8). The next goal is the podium in the 800 meters, which will take place between the heats on Friday and the final on Saturday. The possibility of winning two medals in the same world championship, as happened in 2019, seems real, and then other unprecedented numbers would fall, such as the double gold in the 800-1500. Simona Quadarella became the third athlete in history after the American Katie Ledecky (36 times) and the Chinese Wang Jianjie (7) to break the 15'50 barrier on at least six occasions. The achievement of the Italian superstar is a historic gold, namely the 50th for Italy at the World Championships, a milestone so far surpassed only by authentic powerhouses such as the United States, China, Australia, Russia, and Germany.
|