The blue swimming wins two medals at the Italian dawn: the first is that of Nicolò Martinenghi third with a time of 58 ” 33 in the final of the 100 meters breaststroke (gold to the British Adam Peaty with 57 ” 37, silver to the Dutch Arno Kamminga). Historic and unexpected the silver medal in the men’s 4×100 freestyle relay in 3.10.11. The blue quartet (Alessandro Miressi, Thomas Ceccon, Lorenzo Zazzeri and Manuel Frigo) finished behind the United States in 3.08.97. Bronze to Australia in 3.10.22. The blue quartet still falls below the Italian record (19 cents) already set in the battery and closes in 3’10 “11.
«Two very heavy medals. If the one of Nicolò Martinenghi we could have expected the silver one of the 4×100 freestyle is legendary ». This was stated by the president of Coni, Giovanni Malagò, from the Tokyo Aquatics Center on the two blue swimming medals. «All five guys were very good, even Santo Condorelli who made his contribution in the drums. The clarity and strength with which they have always remained there is impressive. Congratulations to all of them and to the Fin, ”added Malagò.
The relay runners: written a page of Italian sport
«It is an incredible joy». This is how the four Azzurri of the silver relay in the 4x100m express their satisfaction. “There are no words, I can’t describe this moment, we have written a beautiful page in the history of Italian sport,” admitted Lorenzo Zazzeri. «I am very happy to be part of this group: we are united, we hugged each other even before leaving, we were very convinced we could have a great race».
“We are very happy, we were really good, a great relay – Alessandro Miressi told Rai – We are really happy and happy with this silver”. «We knew we had a good chance of a medal – added Thomas Ceccon, who a few before the silver took the pass for the final of the 100 back-. I made the choice to do both races, since I did well in the backstroke, I couldn’t help but do the same in the relay. Olympic silver is not something for every day ». “For me – concluded Manuel Frigo – it was unthinkable just three years ago to be here and now there’s even a medal”.
Martinenghi, bronze in the 100 meters frog: a cascade of emotions on him
“I’ve always dreamed of those final 15 meters in every training session.” Thus, to the microphones of Rai Sport, Nicolò Martinenghi bronze in the 100 breaststroke in Tokyo 2020. The gold medal was won by the very favorite of the eve, the English Adam Peaty, the silver medal by the Dutch Arno Kamminga. “It’s a cascade of emotions – added Martinenghi – that I kept inside for a long time and that today fell on me”.
“I want to dedicate this medal to many people, even if I still haven’t realized what I managed to do,” added Martinenghi. «I am thinking of my staff, my family, and my first coach, Franco: he is going through a difficult moment, and I know this medal will help him. He knows that I do not forget him ». Martinenghi talked about his emotions. “I didn’t sleep last night: I was thinking about many things. My career has been one of ups and downs, you always called me a promise but when you asked me what I wanted at these Games – the conclusion – I always thought of this medal ».