Olympic medalist and former World Record holder Federica Pellegrini has given birth to her first child, alongside husband and longtime coach Matteo Giunta.
Pellegrini announced the birth of her daughter, named Matilde via Instagram. According to the post, Matilde was born at 6:51 AM on January 3.
English Translation:
“Tricky 2 days….
Finally you arrived !!!!
⏱️6:51
03/01/2024
Matilde 💖
Thanks to the angels that cared for us during this trip, Titty, Marcello, Giada, Alessandra, Massimo and the entire team of the Sacred Heart hospital”
Pellegrini, 35, is widely regarded as Italy’s greatest female swimmer of all-time, winning 26 international gold medals over her 16-year swimming career, including an Olympic gold medal in the 200 freestyle in 2008. That made her the first Italian woman to win an Olympic gold medal in swimming.
Pellegrini primarily competed in the 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle. She was the first swimmer to break the 4-minute barrier in the 400m freestyle at the 2009 World Championships. At the same meet, she set the 200m freestyle World Record with a time of 1:52.98. Her record stood for over a decade before it was finally broken by Australian Mollie O’Callaghan last summer (1:52.85). Pellegrini was also dominant on the World Championship stage in the 200 freestyle, making every World Championship podium in the event from 2009 until 2019, including gold medals in 2009, 2011, 2017, and 2019.
Pellegrini retired on November 30, 2021, only a month after getting engaged to Giunta. The pair married on August 27, 2022. Giunta was Pellegrini’s personal coach from 2014 until her retirement in 2021. He was also the head coach of the Rome-based Aqua Centurions of the International Swimming League, the team that Pellegrini represented during her time in the League.
Not just female.
Congrats! Looking forward to many epic battles between Matilde and the Iron Baby.
And baby Seebohm!
Her pregnancy announcement was epic too. Well it might not have been the announcement and just a response to Mollie breaking get record. I wish her Olympics had been better to add that extra luster to her career and achievements. But as others have said amazing 200 freestyler.
Wonderful news! And because I can’t help myself – the best 200m freestyler ever – male or female. Medalling in Athens, Beijing and then 8 straight worlds and hitting a 1:54.2 at 31. Unbelievable career and so criminally underrated because of Rome 09 and a few missed Olympic years. But she’s the absolute blueprint of 200m free in my opinion.
The Lioness of Verona. The All-Time queen of the 200.
She’s the female 200 freestyler GOAT in my opinion
Ah… Hot Luca.
That was soooo messy. I loved it! 😂
If I am not mistaken Federica made the podium in the 200m freestyle from 2005 to 2019 without missing any. I dont know if anyone has achieved something like this ever
Yes, she medaled in 200 free in every World Championships from 2005-2019, but she failed to medal in 2012, 2016, and 2020 Olympics.
I am 100% certain no other swimmer has ever medaled in a single event in 7 world championship.
Correction: EIGHT world Championship!
The closest is Katie Ledecky with 6 World Championship (in 800m free)
Katie’s are all Gold, though.
I presume she will be swimming in Paris- that seems to be the thing these days 🙂
She gave it an Aussie name!
It’s a german one. Please check your facts.
Pretty sure it was a joke. Our women’s soccer team is called “The Matildas” and a very famous song/poem called “Waltzing Matilda” is a big part of Australian culture.
‘It’?!!