NA blue mask is not enough to stop Simona Quadarella’s wave of emotions. On the top step of the podium of the 800 freestyle just conquered, the 22-year-old Roman smiles, sings by moving the protective device and rhythms the notes of the Mameli Hymn with her hands: a driving force even when she comes out of the water of the Duna Arena in Budapest. In the Hungarian aquatic bubble, Simona picks up where she left off before the pandemic, giving Italy the first gold in the lanes in the distance of which she is vice world champion in office.
Without the American Katie Ledecky, an opponent designated for the Olympic title this summer in Tokyo, the student of Christian Minotti has no rivals and confirms herself the master of the 16 freestyle pools three years after the seal of Glasgow, with a competition solo completed in 8’20 “23, without ever suffering the competition of the Russian Anastasia Kirpichnikova (8’21” 86). As she did in Scotland in 2018, Simona dreams of another European trio and does not hide it, also targeting the beloved 1500 in which she triumphed two years ago at the World Championship and then at the end of the 400 freestyle.
«The period is not the best because we are working a lot with Christian. Here in Budapest I was looking for stimuli, I found them and I did what I had to do – said SuperSimo with simplicity -. The weather is fine, even if I have to admit I was hoping to go below 8’20 ”. With a gold around my neck it feels great and I feel more relieved, even if now two races await me ». The blue cannibal does not stop at the first taste and is still hungry for continental gold, in turn an appetizer in view of the great Olympic banquet, in which Simona intends to participate as a protagonist and not as a simple rookie.
A bright gold followed by a bright silver, captured by the quartet in the 4×200 freestyle relay with mixed ranks. Stefano Ballo, Stefano Di Cola, Federica Pellegrini and Margherita Panziera finished second with the Italian record (7’29 ”35) behind the British (7’26” 67). «I am very happy because we missed the medal in Glasgow and I am satisfied with my fraction. Now we will evaluate with Matteo (Giunta; ed) what to do », Federica commented, leaving an open door on the 200 individuals of this morning.