Rome, August 14, 2026 – Simona Quadarella is the ‘queen of Europe’ also in the 1500 freestyle. After the triumph in the 800m free, the Italian in Paris repeated the success in the longest pool swimming distance. The Roman champion, with her tenth continental gold, won with the new Championship record, 15’46″22.
The 1998-born Roman, already winner of the 800 freestyle a few days ago at the continental event, pulled away from her rivals in the final part of the long race and prevailed ahead of the Germans Isabel Gose (silver in 15’49″31) and Maya Werner (bronze in 16’52″50).
“Today was really tough, I tried to start a bit faster but I think it wasn’t a good idea. I’m still happy to have won, very happy, it’s always a European gold but I hoped for something less. I had never managed to go under 15’50” at the Europeans.” This is what Simona Quadarella said after the victory.
Italy wins bronze in the relay
But the day of glory does not end here, because Italy also wins the bronze medal in the mixed 4×100 freestyle relay. Carlos D’Ambrosio, Thomas Ceccon, Sara Curtis, and Emma Virginia Menicucci finish in 3’20″80, setting a new Italian record, with the final won by Russia (under a neutral flag) ahead of the Netherlands.
“We all did our part. We are all at the end of the competition, so there is some tiredness,” comments Ceccon to Sky. Speaking only about pool swimming, Italy rises to eleven medals in this edition (4-2-5), behind only Great Britain and the neutral Russian athletes. However, the second individual medal for Ceccon does not arrive, finishing only seventh in the 50 backstroke a few days after the bronze in the 200 of the same specialty. The Fiamme Oro athlete swims the final in 24″54, won by the Czech Knedla, ahead of Russians Kolesnikov and Samusenko. Fifth place for Carlos D’Ambrosio in the 200 freestyle in 1’45″19, without improving the Italian record set a few days ago in Paris. The gold goes to the Romanian Popovici, ahead of the Lithuanian Navikonis and the British Guy. Double Italian final in the 50 breaststroke, where Simone Cerasuolo (Italian record in the morning heats) and Nicolò Martinenghi qualify with the two best semifinal times. Also good is Sara Curtis, who will compete for a medal in the 50 freestyle after the gold with a world record in the 50 backstroke last night. Silvia di Pietro, however, was eliminated.
