Another gold medal arrives for Simona Quadarella. The 25-year-old Roman swimmer takes first place in the 800 freestyle final at the World Championships in Doha. She beat German Isabel Gose by nine hundredths.
Quadarella wins gold in Doha, the special dedication: 'Thanks to the Roma fans who supported me'
After 51 years, Italy steps onto the highest step of the podium in this discipline. For Quadarella, it is the second medal after the one in the 1500. The Roman swimmer also qualifies for the 2024 Paris Games.
The race
The Italian finished her race in 8'17"44, narrowly beating German Isabel Gose (8'17"53), silver. Third place and bronze medal for New Zealander Erika Fairweather (8'22"26).
Simona's words
'I was really tired. At one point the race got a bit bad because the others started really strong, I knew they were faster. I gave everything, it was one of the toughest races I've ever done but I'm really happy,' said Quadarella after winning the gold. 'I was struggling to increase and I waited as long as possible before starting, I was watching her a lot, then I gave everything. A lot of head? Yes, I think this is also due to a bit more experience. I felt I hadn't arrived in the best form and experience helped me a lot and the desire to find myself and I must say that I found myself very well,' added the Italian to RaiSport.
'51 years after Novella Calligaris? I think it's a great pride. I'm happy, it's my first gold in the 800 and it's a medal I was looking for here. Really a nice world championship and now I can work calmly for the Paris Olympics with a great stimulus. I think this was an opportunity to test yourself at high levels, it never happened to do such important races in February and I think this is very training. I wanted to look for competition in the races, I found it like today. Who do I dedicate this medal to? To my parents, my sister and my uncles who came all the way here to cheer for me,' concluded Quadarella.
Words from President Barelli
'To excel in swimming sports is not easy. The second gold of Simona Quadarella, the silver of Settebello and the medals won by our champions in all disciplines demonstrate the quality and dedication of the work done by the clubs and the Italian Swimming Federation that I am honored to preside. The results of the world championships, but also their cyclicity and continuity, are the result of resilience, ability and management organization of the clubs and the synergies put in place with them - emphasizes President Paolo Barelli - Despite the strong restrictions suffered at the time of COVID and the surge in energy costs, tripled since 2019, clubs have managed to maintain the aggregative and formative role in the territory and at the same time to take care of competition, which continues to provide national teams with technicians and athletes ready to emerge and win also internationally'
'The Italian Swimming Federation will be represented at the Paris Olympics by all the teams: men's and women's water polo, which was not in Tokyo, diving, artistic swimming, open water swimming, in addition to swimming which will field all the relays, another reason for pride because it signals the very high average level and qualitative density. The successes achieved at the Doha world championships are the excellence of a movement that also teaches swimming, to save one's life and others, which generates well-being for all ages - continues Barelli - Competitive swimming, which is the projection of motor practice ensured in Italy by the clubs, is going through a long period of enormous difficulties. Swimming pools need heated water and environments, some can't make it.
The government and local authorities are striving to allocate resources because every closure is an opportunity taken away from citizens that reflects on society. Obviously in difficulties the first cuts hit high-level activity which represents a national pride. We must absolutely avoid that clubs are faced with the choice of surviving or feeding the dreams of our young champions. There are no excellences of this size in Italy, so widespread and branched in the country. The results we are collecting are the result of sacrifice, a real Italian miracle.'
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