Olympic Champion Paltrinieri Has Mono, Bows Out Of Sette Colli

2021 SETTE COLLI

  • Friday, June 25th – Sunday, June 27th
  • Swimming Stadium of the Foro Italico, Rome, Italy
  • LCM (50m)
  • Olympic Qualifying Competition
  • 2021 Sette Colli Start Lists

This year’s edition of the prestigious annual Sette Colli competition in Rome, Italy is nearly upon us, with action kicking on Friday, June 25th. Although the majority of the Italian Olympic roster is set, athletes can still vie for open spots here at this competition, with the final FINA qualification date set at June 27th.

Originally entered to race, albeit in just the 800m free, was Italian Olympic champion Gregorio Paltrinieri. The 26-year-old freestyle ace is coming off of 800m and 1500m victories at this year’s European Championships in Budapest.

Now, however, with the Olympic Games just one month away, the Italian Swimming Federation has stated Paltrinieri is suffering from mononucleosis, although he reportedly has slight symptoms.

Per the Mayo Clinic, mono is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus and is contracted via infected saliva. Symptoms typically include fatigue, sore throat, fever, swollen lymph nodes and headache, among others. (Mayo Clinic)

Federation President Paolo Barelli says, “We keep tabs on the infection every day. We are clearly concerned that the Olympic preparation is disrupted but Paltrinieri is a phenomenal champion and will fight to the last meter to take the medals he dreams of in Tokyo.”

Barelli also says, “He has never given up on anything and with his determination, I am confident that he will succeed again this time.”

Paltrinieri is still in the pool training, although his workload has been reduced, as well as his pulling out of the Sette Colli. The man is the reigning Olympic champion in the 1500m free from Rio.

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Emerson
2 years ago

Had a severe case in college. In college hospital for two weeks. More than one year before I gained back the strength/conditioning I had pre-mono. They said his case is mild so hopefully he will fully recover by olympics.

cmon speedo
2 years ago

so… Romanchuk 800 and 1500 free olympic champion

John26
Reply to  cmon speedo
2 years ago

Probably Wellbrock but there’ll be nothing in it

AnEn
Reply to  John26
2 years ago

Don’t see Wellbrock winning the 800 free (or even a medal), but in the 1500 free he has always been the favorite. If Paltrinieri isn’t at his best, then there are multiple guys who could win the 800 free, for example McLoughlin or Christiansen (apart from Romanchuk).

Casas 100 back gold in Fukuoka
Reply to  AnEn
2 years ago

It confuses me a lot. Wellbrock swam 3:44 400 free and 14:36 1500 free this year, but his 800 was only 7:48 at the same meet. In 2019 he won 1500 gold in Gwangju, but failed to make the final in 800 despite being faster in both 400 and 1500 than the 800 free champion. It reminds me of a few years ago when I was confused why Rylov can’t turn himself into a medal contender in 100 back despite being so good in both 50 & 200. But now he’s finally become a potential medalist or even champion in 100 back, so maybe one day Wellbrock will eventually figure out how to be one of the best 800 swimmer… Read more »

Aquajosh
2 years ago

You have all the sensations of being sick (sore throat, fever, headaches, low energy, chills, etc.) without feeling like you want to vomit, and it can last for up to a month. If you try and force it and get into strenuous activity, you run the risk of rupturing your spleen. It’s hard to bounce back from right away.

dubjayswammer
2 years ago

mono sucks. I had it in college for 3-4 weeks… i had a sore and swollen throat, tonsillitis, headache, chills, weakness, lightheadedness and extreme fatigue. I was also told not to exercise because it can lead to possible spleen rupture. so I couldn’t swim at all during that time. wishing Paltrinieri a smooth and speedy recovery!

Doconc
2 years ago

It’s rare to get this as an adult- most everyone has it as a child

For the vax folks – there isn’t one for ebv

Ironically this may give him a monster taper with a ton of forced rest

BSD
2 years ago

Slight correction, he did not win the 800 and 1500 at Euros this year, he finished 2nd in both.

GATOR CHOMP 🐊
Reply to  BSD
2 years ago

Because he knows he shouldn’t taper/shave for euros unlike paltrinieri

AnEn
Reply to  GATOR CHOMP 🐊
2 years ago

How do you know that:
a) He didn’t taper (especially considering that Paltrinieri went faster at 2016 euros than at 2016 olympics)
b) Romanchuk tapered

Also: You realize that Romanchuk beat him in the 1500 free at 2018 euros and 2019 worlds?

pSL1988
2 years ago

Mononucleosis is an infectious illness that’s usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). It’s also called mono or “the kissing disease.” You can get the virus through kissing as well as things like sharing drinks or silverware.

Khachaturian
Reply to  pSL1988
2 years ago

thank you for clearing it up

whever
2 years ago

Could anyone explain the effects of this disease to me like i’m five years old?

ACC
Reply to  whever
2 years ago

Fever, a sore throat, and being tired are the most common symptoms. Often the lymph nodes will become swollen, but the main thing is just feeling super tired for a few weeks to a month. Hopefully, he’ll be better in time for the Olympics, but this will definitely hurt his training going into it.

CasualSwimmer
Reply to  ACC
2 years ago

Exactly, you basically have no energy for several weeks
Let’s hope his coaches and the medical staff around him find a smart way to work around it, like Sarah Sjostrom’s team did after her broken elbow

dresselgoat
Reply to  CasualSwimmer
2 years ago

If you get it bad enough you can be basically stuck in bed for a month

Cole
Reply to  ACC
2 years ago

Can’t your spleen burst if you exercise with it too?

FST
Reply to  Cole
2 years ago

Yes. And because athletes are exhausted all the time anyway and swimmers specifically have a higher pain threshhold when it comed to RTIs, they are often diagnosed after the disease has wreaked havoc for a while (you have to be specifically tested for mono and oftentimes doctors just prescribe a bit of antibiotics for tonsollitis first). A normal person, when they’ve got a fever, just stays in bed for a week or two and that’s it. And then your mono is mostly gone, too. But for athletes, who go back to training asap, this can actually take a really bad turn.
And then of course Greg is a bit old for mono (which you can only get once). So,… Read more »

RUN-DMC
Reply to  whever
2 years ago

There’s a lot of sickness going around the swimming world these days.

Victory
Always
Comes with
Confidence
In
Nothing but
Excellence

cmon speedo
Reply to  RUN-DMC
2 years ago

cringe

Torchbearer
Reply to  whever
2 years ago

I have chronic fatigue (not sure it is exactly the same thing, often called post viral syndrome), got it after running a half marathon in Singapore- went home and basically slept for 3 months. 20 years later still have it. 🙁

Last edited 2 years ago by Torchbearer
Aquajosh
Reply to  Torchbearer
2 years ago

That’s scary! Just from running a half-marathon??

About Retta Race

Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having just earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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