THOMAS CECCON

Thomas Ceccon has channelled blood, sweat and tears into a career that has already brought Olympic silver, world and European titles and a world record.

The Italian has two world titles and four European golds and is also the 100m backstroke world record-holder after crushing the previous mark that stood for six years in 51.60 at the 2022 World Championships in Budapest.

While he has reaped rewards, it has been a path of sacrifice, dedication and hard work from a young age for Ceccon.

He told Corriere del Veneto: “I see a boy who is conquering, step by step, all the goals he has reached. I see every single medal and I know what I sweated to get there. The life of a swimmer is made up of details, mentally you have to be free. If you are not, the results will not come.”

Ceccon won five medals, including 50m freestyle gold, at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games before making his senior debut at the European Championships, months before the delayed Tokyo Olympics.

He won two relay medals in Tokyo before a stellar 2022 where he followed up three world medals and a world record with six trips to the podium at the Europeans in Rome, becoming the first Italian man to win the 100m backstroke.

That despite little training at the start of the year compounded by contracting Covid in February.

Not that he thinks he is the figurehead in Italian swimming but instead points to his Arena stable mate. “No, absolutely not. Gregorio Paltrinieri is the boss, he is number one right now. I work to become number one.”