Gregorio Paltrinieri repeats his success at the Paris Games: silver medal in the 1500 freestyle

Fifth Olympic podium of his career for the immortal Gregorio Paltrinieri.

At Paris 2024, in the final evening of swimming finals at the Defense Arena, the champion from Carpi (photo Roberto Di Tondo/CONI) claimed the silver medal in the 1500 freestyle, returning to the top three in this specialty eight years after winning gold at the Rio 2016 edition.

The Azzurro, who posted the second-fastest time (14:42.56) in the heats, remained in contention for victory until the last 100 metres of the final, when he ultimately had to concede to American Bobby Finke, who set a new world record (14:30.67). The latter, who never relinquished the lead, finished ahead of Paltrinieri (+3.88) and Ireland’s Daniel Wiffen (+8.96). 

The Italian swimming team concludes its Olympics with a total of five medals. Today’s result adds to the golds obtained by Nicolò Martinenghi (100 breaststroke) and Thomas Ceccon (100 backstroke) and the bronzes won by ‘Super Greg’ himself (800 freestyle) and the Azzurri of the men’s 4x100 freestyle team.