Two-time Olympic medalist Gabriele Detti received a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, two days prior to the start of the Italian Spring Championships, he revealed while competing at the meet in Riccione.
Detti, 26, won the men’s 400 freestyle on the opening day of competition in 3:44.65, and spoke about how the vaccine affected him post-race.
“I had the vaccine on Monday, then I had a little fever but now it’s okay,” Detti said, per the Italian Swimming Federation (translated). “I was hoping to get to these races a little more relaxed. The preparation, however, is very good.”
Detti had already earned a qualifying spot for the Tokyo Olympic Games in the event by virtue of his performance at the Sette Colli Trophy in August.
On Day 2 of the competition, Detti placed second to Gregorio Paltrinieri in the 800 free, clocking 7:46.58 to narrowly miss the Italian Olympic standard of 7:46.09 (though he was still well under the FINA ‘A’ cut, and already being on the Olympic team, he’ll likely be able to compete in the 800 in Tokyo).
The 2017 world champion is entered to race the 200 and 1500 free later in the meet.
Detti was among 10 Italian swimmers that tested positive for COVID-19 in October after attending a training camp in Livigno.
According to Bloomberg data, Italy has administered just over 10 million COVID-19 vaccines, enough for 8.3 percent of its population. That number is right around the average among European countries.
Italy also has an aging population, with its 2020 median age of 46.5 ranking fifth among all nations.
Italian National Olympic Committee President Giovanni Malago had said that the committee would not be requesting that its athletes get priority in receiving vaccine doses, though Italian Swimming Federation President Paolo Barelli disputed that.
Italy notably had a COVID-19 outbreak at the Italian Open in December, including names like Elena di Liddo and Benedetta Pilato testing positive.
