2019 WORLD PARA SWIMMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
- September 9-15, 2019
- London Aquatics Centre, London, England
- Prelims 10 a.m. local time/finals 6 p.m.
- Full results
SwimSwam Italia’s Giusy Cisale contributed to this report.
It was the best possible outcome for Team Italy Wednesday when veteran Federico Morlacchi and his younger countryman Simone Barlaam tied for gold in the men’s S9 100 fly at the 2019 World Para Swimming World Championships.
The two athletes are good friends and train together on the same team, Polha Varese. Morlacchi, 25, is a six-time Paralympic medalist. Barlaam, 19, lit up the youth para-swimming scene but is yet to compete at a Paralympics.
Barlaam had a large lead at the 50-meter mark, splitting 27.31 to Morlacchi’s 28.58. The world record holder Morlacchi, however, brought his swim home in 31.78, whereas Barlaam faded to 33.05; both finished in 1:00.36. Morlacchi’s record was untouched, sitting at 58.91 from 2015.
The versatile Barlaam has three gold medals this week in three attempts, the other two coming in the 100 back and 100 free. Morlacchi finished fourth in the 400 free and ninth in 100 free. Both have the 50 free remaining.
Following the race Wednesday, the two get emotional, sharing a touching moment in celebration atop the lane line.
