2024 PARIS SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES
- Pool Swimming: July 27 – August 4, 2024
- Open Water Swimming: August 8 – 9, 2024
- La Défense Arena — Paris, France
- LCM (50 meters)
- Meet Central
- Full Swimming Schedule
- SwimSwam Preview Index
- Pick ’em Contest
- How To Watch
- Entry Lists
- Live Results
- Prelims Live Recaps: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4
- Finals Live Recaps: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3| Day 4
Gregorio Paltrinieri‘s performance in the men’s 800 freestyle final on Tuesday at the 2024 Olympics in Paris was meaningful in more ways than one.
Not only did the 29-year-old become the first Italian swimmer to win a medal at three consecutive Olympics, but his girlfriend, Rossella Fiamingo, won gold just minutes later while competing in women’s fencing.
Paltrinieri led the men’s 800 free final for a large portion of the back half of the race, but ultimately settled for the bronze medal in a time of 7:39.38 after being overtaken by Ireland’s Daniel Wiffen (7:38.19) and defending champion Bobby Finke (7:38.75) down the stretch.
The third-place finish marked the fourth Olympic medal of Paltrinieri’s career, having won gold in the men’s 1500 free in Rio and then claiming silver in the 800 free and bronze in the open water 10km in Tokyo.
The final of the men’s 800 free officially started at 9:07 pm local time in Paris.
At 8:30 pm, the final match in the women’s team épée fencing event started, and one hour later, the Italian team had secured gold in the event, ousting the hosts from France by a final score of 30-29.
Paltrinieri officially touched for bronze at 9:18 pm, while the Italian fencing team won their match at 9:33.
The two won their medals some 15 minutes apart and stood on the podium nine minutes apart.
PER UN QUARTO D’ORA D’AMORE… ❤️
🥉 Greg Paltrinieri, ore 21.18
🥇 Rossella Fiamingo, ore 21.33#ItaliaTeam @Federscherma @FINOfficial_ pic.twitter.com/LeOgMV4xZv— ItaliaTeam (@ItaliaTeam_it) July 30, 2024
Fiamingo, 33, was joined by teammates Mara Navarria, Giulia Rizzi and Alberta Santuccio.
Paltrinieri and Fiamingo have reportedly been dating since meeting at the Tokyo Olympics, and have since gotten engaged.
Like Paltrinieri, Fiamingo’s medal on Tuesday marked the third straight time she’s reached the podium at the Olympics, having won silver in the individual women’s épée in Rio and then taken silver in the team women’s épée in Tokyo.
I seem baffled that Paltrinieri hasn’t been a flag bearer for Italy yet. Who knows the couple may get chosen for LA 28 if they’re still competing at the highest level by then.
He did seem very happy after that bronze medal. All smiles and thumbs up toward his camp. I wondered what it was. I guess everything is going great with his life.
Initially I thought he was pleased that two Europeans ganged up on Finke and prevented his late sprint strategy from succeeding. That may be a part of it. I’ve always been convinced the other distance guys don’t think the races should be decided that way. If Paltrinieri were still in his prime he’d be pushing the early stages much faster.
Let me understand: you think that other swimmers ganged up to stop Finke rather than swimming their hearts out to do the best they could for themselves? Wiffen has the same strategy as Finke, finishing strong. He’s just better. While Paltrinieri also did his best, but couldn’t quite hold out as the fast finishers came back. Why should he not be pleased with Bronze? You are exposing yourself, and its not impressive…
With the pool being so slow, it’s probably taking people an extra 5 minutes just to get out of the pool. I hope he made it out in time to catch some of the match!
Imagine trying to find a spare spot to hang anything on the brag wall in that household. Elite couple.
Their children ought to be 2/5 the way towards being awesome modern pentathletes.