Italy dominated the recent European Short‑Course Swimming Championships in Lublin, finishing at the top with 9 golds, 5 silvers, and 6 bronzes. The team made it to 37 finals – 31 individual and all relay events – with 17 swimmers earning medals and 22 competing in finals.
Among the standout performances was 19‑year‑old Sara Curtis, who claimed gold in the 50-meter backstroke, setting a new European record at 25.49 seconds, despite battling a fever the day before. She also earned silver in the 50-meter freestyle and helped set a new record in the mixed relay event.
Veteran sprinter Simone Cerasuolo won gold in the 50-meter breaststroke, while Thomas Ceccon took the gold in the 100-meter backstroke. Simona Quadarella triumphed in the 1500-meter freestyle, and Alberto Razzetti secured the 400-meter individual medley title.
This victory marked a historic achievement for Italy – their first time leading the overall medal table at these European Championships. They also reclaimed the top spot in the national points ranking, a title they’ve claimed five times in the last six editions.
The impressive performance has created a sense of optimism for the future, particularly as the team looks ahead to the European long‑course championships in Paris and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
