2024 Paris Olympic silver medalist Gregorio Paltrinieri of Italy has undergone elbow surgery after injuring it the night of the closing ceremony. Paltrinieri was the male flag bearer for Italy but said the incident occurred after the ceremony.
“I broke my elbow the night of the closing ceremony. Not waving the flag though. That was a good one. Already had surgery, I will be back soon.”
The Paris Games marked the 4th Olympics for the 29-year-old. He first competed at the 2012 London Games, making the final of the 1500 free where he finished 5th. He won his first medal in Rio in 2016, winning gold in the 1500 freestyle swimming a 14:34.57 in his win.
He won two medals at the 2020(1) Tokyo Olympics, winning silver in the 800 freestyle and bronze in the 10km open water event. In Paris, he won silver in the 1500 free and bronze in the 800 free. He notably won bronze in the 800 free 15 minutes before fiancee Rossella Fiamingo, won gold in women’s fencing. Fiamiango was the women’s flag bearer for the closing ceremony.
In addition to competing in the pool, Paltrinieri also swam in the men’s 10km open water event that took place in the Seine River last Friday. Although there have been numerous hospitalizations after the open water races featuring GI problems such as vomiting, Paltrinieri’s hospitalization was not related to the open water swim.
Paltrinieri holds Italian national records in both the long course and short course meters 800 and 1500 freestyles.
The camera angle makes him look like 8 feet tall !!!
Sooooooo….what’s the real story?
Sounds like he partied a little too hard.
Take a bunch of very regimented people who probably stay away from booze most of the year and combine that with an event they worked 4 years for and yea…….probably it. Hope the guy at least had a good time!