Italy closed the 23rd European Swimming Championships in Lublin, Poland, with one of the strongest performances in its history. The team topped both the medal table and the points ranking - the fifth time in the last six editions - collecting 9 golds, 5 silvers and 6 bronzes. All relay teams reached the podium, 37 finals were contested, and 17 athletes won medals. The championship also brought a wave of personal bests: 44 in total, along with a world record, two European records and eleven national records.
From Rome, Federation president Paolo Barelli praised the athletes for a result that he defined as “solid, consistent and encouraging” ahead of the 2026 European Championships in Paris and the long path toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. He highlighted the blend of emerging young talents and experienced leaders, and credited coaches and local clubs for sustaining the country’s strong aquatic tradition.
Technical director Cesare Butini echoed this satisfaction, noting the team’s unity, from the youngest swimmer, Alessandra Mao, to Olympic champions and captains Silvia Di Pietro and Lorenzo Zazzeri. He underscored Italy’s ability to respond to Europe’s rising competitive level, pointing to standout moments such as the world record in the mixed 4x50 freestyle, Curtis’s European record in the 100 freestyle and Quadarella’s in the 800.
Looking ahead, Butini stressed the importance of continued development: training camps, international competitions, and support programs for both athletes and coaches. The goal, he said, is to keep expanding the sport’s grassroots base and ensure Italy arrives “fully competitive” at next year’s European Championships in Paris—and ready for the journey toward Los Angeles 2028.