Last Free 200 ‘. So Federica Pellegrini had renamed, on her social networks, the last race in the 200 freestyle of her career, the one that took place today in Riccione and that was valid for the Italian short course championships. The Divine of blue swimming wanted to finish with a flourish and was up to her word, since she finished in first place. Immediately after the end of the competition, the entire audience stood up and paid a long standing ovation to the finalist champion in five different editions of the Olympics who, addressing the audience while she was still in the pool, bowed and made the gesture of the heart with the hands.
After the catwalk with rivals of all time in a last 50 meters, another unscheduled in the farewell ceremony of Federica Pellegrini, who closed her career with the victory in the 200 style at the Absolute Winter swimming. The ‘Divina’ in fact dived into the pool together with the president of Coni Giovanni Malagò, in shirt and trousers. “He promised me,” said the Venetian champion later. Pellegrini’s parents and brother were also present at the poolside, as well as her boyfriend Matteo Giunta.
Farewell to swimming by Federica Pellegrini, at the end there is also a dip in the pool by Malagò
«It was great: a bit of support, a bit of people, that’s what I wanted in the end. It closes a circle as I wanted it, unfortunately there were fewer people than I would have liked because of the restrictions, but all the important ones were there ». Federica Pellegrini says this to Rai Sport’s microphones, in the long farewell to competitive swimming celebrated at the Italian Absolutes in Riccione. Up to the starting block «it was an increase in sensations and emotions, bordering on tears; then I didn’t make it with the presentation, but I managed to recover in time to be able to compete ». Now “there will be many things, I will take the commitment with the IOC more seriously than I have done up to now, that will be my job”. On the final message to those who will stay in the pool, the «never give up«: «swimming is a sport of fatigue, really difficult. You have to believe in it, and this in everything you do in life. We need to find the strength to overcome difficulties ».
Swimming, the last race in Federica Pellegrini’s career becomes a show
