Swimmer Federica Pellegrini was announced as Italy’s flag-bearer for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil by the Italian Olympic Committee on Wednesday morning.
The nomination of the swimming champion was formally announced by CONI President, Giovanni Malagò, to the Board members gathered today at Foro Italico.
The 27-year old Pellegrini is a two-time Olympic medalist, including gold in the 200 free at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games; a four-time World Champion, and a 13-time European Champion, making her one of Italy’s most decorated swimmers and Olympic-sport athletes in history.
Pellegrini is the first Italian swimmer to earn this honor by way of owning the country’s only Olympic gold medal in women’s swimming. She is the current World and European record holder in the 200 freestyle, and has held both marks contiguously since those 2008 Summer Olympics.
She also becomes the 5th woman to earn the honor of carrying Italy’s flag at the Summer Olympic Games, all of which have come since gymnast Miranda Cicognani was the first in 1952.
The Italian star was non-committal about her career after Rio.
“I arrived in Athens in 2004 with the lightheartedness of a little girl who did not know what to do; I was ready for the 100 freestyle, then came my first time in the semi-finals of the 200 free and the silver medal to take to my parents who were waiting for me in disbelief…In Beijing in 2008, I crowned a dream after having started all over again in 2006 and after a great defeat in the 400 freestyle,” Pellegrini said of her first two Olympic experiences.
“London 2012 is the biggest disappointment of my career because I did not feel ready to compete. Even before the final I knew that I would not be able to sustain the pace of the others. So I decided to live one year more calmly and embark upon a new path. Expectations for Rio I prefer not to share, because its bad luck, but I have repeatedly said that regardless of the outcome, the important thing is to reach my full potential. The future remains a question mark. After the Olympics I will reflect.”
Pellegrini is inscribed to swim 5 events in Rio: both the 100 and 200 freestyles, which are her specialties now later in her career that she’s dropped the 400 free; as well as all three Italian relays, which qualify automatically via top-12 finishes at last year’s World Championships. That includes the 800 free relay, which Pellegrini anchored to a historic silver medal.
The opening ceremonies, to be held in Brazil’s famed Maracanã Olympic stadium, are to be held on August 5th, which also happens to be Pellegrini’s 28th birthday.
List of all-time Olympic flag bearers for Italy, plus a tally by sport:
- Fencing – 7
- Athletics – 6
- Gymnastics – 4
- Swimming – 1
- Diving – 1
- Weightlifting – 1
- Equestrianism – 1
- Rowing – 1
- Basketball – 1
- Canoe racing – 1
| # | Event Year | Flag bearer | Sport |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1908 | Pietro Bragaglia | Gymnastics |
| 2 | 1912 | Alberto Braglia | Gymnastics |
| 3 | 1920 | Nedo Nadi | Fencing |
| 4 | 1924 | Ugo Frigerio | Athletics |
| 5 | 1928 | Carlo Galimberti | Weightlifting |
| 6 | 1932 | Ugo Frigerio | Athletics |
| 7 | 1936 | Giulio Gaudini | Fencing |
| 8 | 1948 | Gianni Rocca | Athletics |
| 9 | 1952 | Miranda Cicognani | Gymnastics |
| 10 | 1956 | Edoardo Mangiarotti | Fencing |
| 11 | 1960 | Edoardo Mangiarotti | Fencing |
| 12 | 1964 | Giuseppe Delfino | Fencing |
| 13 | 1968 | Raimondo D’Inzeo | Equestrianism |
| 14 | 1972 | Abdon Pamich | Athletics |
| 15 | 1976 | Klaus Dibiasi | Diving |
| 16 | 1984 | Sara Simeoni | Athletics |
| 17 | 1988 | Pietro Mennea | Athletics |
| 18 | 1992 | Giuseppe Abbagnale | Rowing |
| 19 | 1996 | Giovanna Trillini | Fencing |
| 20 | 2000 | Carlton Myers | Basketball |
| 21 | 2004 | Jury Chechi | Gymnastics |
| 22 | 2008 | Antonio Rossi | Canoe racing |
| 23 | 2012 | Valentina Vezzali | Fencing |
| 24 | 2016 | Federica Pellegrini | Swimming |
