Around him he has a large crowd of admirers who, aware of the importance of the moment, do not miss the opportunity for a photo or an autograph. Gregorio Paltrinieri, even before being an Olympic champion and swimming legend, is an easy-going, courteous and always available guy. Next to him in the Council Chamber in via Libertà in Golfo Aranci, where the second stage of the World Cup in open water was presented this morning, which will land on the island and in Italy for the first time, is the Sardinian committee president Danilo Russu: Paltrinieri finishes greeting everyone, short haircut, light shirt with a white T-shirt underneath, smile on his face: he walks with slow steps towards the elegant purple armchairs on which he sits, summing up his preparation and a rich 2023 of exciting challenges.
Paltrinieri back in Sardinia: how are training going?
«I would say very well, I'm training hard, making the most of all aspects. I'm back from a boarding school in Sharm El Sheik last week, where we were able to swim in the sea given the excellent climatic conditions: I swam about seventy kilometers as a weekly average, there aren't many but the intensity was not lacking».
When will he start competing?
"On March 19, I will compete in the 10km open water race in Eilat at the Len Cup."
The second stage of the World Cup will take place in Golfo Aranci on 20 and 21 May. Do you know the competition area?
"Yes, absolutely. I've been to Golfo Aranci both to train and on holiday, the setting where the event will take place will be splendid».
Possible pitfalls?
«Everything will depend on the day, certainly the wind could have an influence as well as the use or not of the wetsuit based on the temperature. Then, of course, there are the opponents, the level will be very high and you will have to give your best to excel».
What do you remember about your first Olympics in 2012?
«A magical memory, I was very young, that was a fundamental year for me. In 2012 I went below 15 minutes on 1500 for the first time, I realized that I was proceeding on the right track».
A road that led exactly ten years ago to the first absolute Italian record right on the 1500.
«Exactly, at the World Championships in Barcelona in the long course where I took the bronze: I swam in 14'45''35, it was a splendid moment and, above all, the confirmation that I was projecting myself onto ever more prestigious scenarios».
He has just returned from a 2022 faced at very high levels, which ended with the world title in short course in Melbourne in the 1500m and 800m where he also set the world record: did he expect it?
«Absolutely not, I was back from the summer break and I didn't know exactly my conditions. Certainly, I was aware that I had trained well and this is an important starting point: once I got into the pool on the 800m I simply thought of giving my best, I knew that the pace would be set right away, I was ready for anything».
What will be the main approach stages in view of the 2024 Paris Olympics?
«Certainly this year's World Cup from 14 to 30 July in Fukuoka in Japan, then next year's in Doha from 2 to 18 February; in between, there will be various World Cup races, appointments won't be missing but I'll try not to squeeze myself excessively and select the most significant races, so as to arrive at the Olympics in top condition».
