The swimming spectacle continues on the second day of the 62nd edition of the Trofeo Settecolli IP. At Rome’s Stadio del Nuoto, new high caliber times continue to be clocked. The first postrace statements are already rolling in, with the main protagonists sharing their thoughts and feelings.
Marrit Seenbergen: World Record 100m freestyle 51"68. First of all, I'm really happy. But I don't really feel like I did this, it still feels a bit weird, I think I really have to get used to it and you know just think about okay I really did that. I still really want to go faster so I think that just keeps motivating me. We have trials next week so I want to see if I can rest a bit more and maybe go even faster there, swimming faster every time that's just still my motivation. I realised I think a couple weeks ago during Mare Nostrum I was like “ok, this is going really well”. And it just really motivated me because I felt really strong leading up to that.
I really grew into swimming. I was really competing on the national level when I was younger, so I just keep on growing and I think my coach now, the coaches I had really always believed in me, and they believed that I would be able to do something like this. So yeah, my coach now really was like “Ok, I think you can do that”. And it was mostly myself that was like “nah, I think you're crazy. I don't think I can do that” So I think my coach has really inspired me.
Gretchen Walsh: I am feeling good about tonight's session. I Kind of did both of my goals to go 54 second in the 100 fly, 52 second in the 100 free. I got to be a part of a world record setting heat that was really cool in the 100. And I am just proud of myself for being able to put my best effort towards both of those sets. It was probably my mom who inspired me the most to get into swimming. She swam in college and definitely had the biggest influence in me and my sister's swim career and just how far we've gotten in it. If I could choose an athlete to swim with I probably want to train a little bit with Sarah Sostrom. That'd be fun.
Kliment Kolesnikov: This morning the heat made the 100m freestyle much more difficult for me; with the waiting and the result it didn't go well, but I had fun despite everything. I have a great relationship with many athletes, three above all: Milák, Ceccon, and Ponti. I know all the Italians and, in every competition, I’ve always bonded a lot with the Azzurri.
Adam Peaty: I’m very tired, but we are exactly where we need to be. Racing becomes harder and harder as you get older, but that is simply part of the sport. For me, everything is focused on the Commonwealth Games and the European Championships. To perform at my best, I will need some rest and time to get into the right place, both mentally and physically. Before that, however, we still have another week in which we need to keep pushing.
Federico Burdisso: I’ve grown a lot, not so much in terms of training, but more in terms of awareness and mindset. In sports and in swimming, having a mind that doesn't work right or not being able to channel it on command is a major downside. Now, I am fully aware of myself first and foremost, of my capabilities, and of what I am doing. I’m really happy with the journey I’m on with my coach.
Sara Curtis: Italian record of 52"69. I’m very happy, I feel good, and I’ve finally managed to reach the goal I set for myself at the beginning of the year. There have definitely been ups and downs, but today I’m satisfied with the time. I wanted to break this 53 second barrier as soon as possible. I’m lucky to have set my record right next to the world record. With freestyle, it has always been a love hate relationship, but we knew we could do it. A great summer lies ahead; I'm only taking Monday off. I will prepare for the European Championships at home.
Alberto Razzetti: This year in Riccione, I didn’t have my usual drive to compete. I preferred to skip the 200m butterfly on the last day to avoid swimming a race that would have left me with more doubts than certainties. Today, however, I personally chose to swim it. I put together a good race, and I’m happy. I had fun, and the presence of an international field, as well as having Emanuele Potenzain the next lane, is always a great motivation, so I’m pleased. When you get to represent Italy on such an important stage, whether it's the Europeans, the Worlds, or the Olympics, the goal is always to do the best you can. Clearly, the first step is to improve your personal best, and consequently, try to achieve the highest possible result.
Benedetta Pilato: A double victory. I'm pleased about that, though less so with the time. I swim the 50m breaststroke with more consistency; technically it wasn't great, but I didn't expect otherwise. The project is definitely a bit more long term, also because I am in a phase of extreme change. So I think I first need to adapt to my new life and, later on, think about aiming for a 29"30 again. It will take quite a while, but I hope to get back to hitting my times. I am training to be able to swim a 50m breaststroke at the highest level again.
Nicolò Martinenghi: The 100m breaststroke is a very complicated race; I hadn’t built it up in training. The stroke rates I worked on these past few weeks, as soon as I started swimming breaststroke again, were exactly these. After a race, you always have to process the pressure right away. I still have a lot of room for improvement, but I swam a very relaxed race, both mentally and physically. I will give 110% to arrive in the best possible shape for Paris; now we just have to wait for Cesare Butini's team selections. In case I shouldn't make the team, I will try to bounce back as soon as possible.
David Popovici: I’m happy with the time, especially because we are working very hard right now and are under a heavy training load. I want to train as much as possible to see what I can achieve at the European Championships. Italy is my second home, and having set my world record here is a huge satisfaction. I love my job.
Daniel Wiffen: I feel good, I'm very happy with the weather even though I could have pushed harder before. The temperature isn't bad either, but it's still quite warm. In my free time after swim, I play golf.
Photo by Andrea Staccioli / DBM
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