Why is Italy sweeping the World Swimming Championships?

• Chronicle Thomas Ceccon achieves the first world record in the 100 back in Budapest

In Spain there are almost 70,000 federated swimmers;

in Italy, 140,000, that is double.

In Spain some eight million euros are invested in swimming;

in Italy, 37, that is to say four times.

They are notable differences, but neither of them explains the enormous inequality in the results that exists between the two countries.

In the present World Cup in Budapest, while Spain does not dispute a single final -

was left out of the 200 styles this Tuesday - Italy already has three golds, one silver, one bronze and what remains.

Beyond the disaster itself, with multiple reasons, the question is necessary: ​​Why is Italy triumphing so much?

"We can analyze many things, but the main reason is the growth of a very good generation of young people. A wonderful group has coincided that will have their chance at the 2024 Paris Olympics,"

, double world runner-up , exposes in conversation with EL MUNDO.

in 2011 and three times European champion.

He talks about

, 22, who won the 100 breaststroke;

,

only 17 years old, who also won the 100 breaststroke;

or by

, 21, who swept the 100 backstroke, including a world record.

The three had already climbed important podiums before -Martinenghi and Ceccon triumphed at the Tokyo Games, Pilato was a world medalist at 14-, but these days they have confirmed the historic rise of their country.

The three lead a trend that is no coincidence.

Barely a decade ago, Italy lacked sprinters and relied on their successes in the middle and long distances thanks to their stars,

,

or

.

Now it shines on speed and it's not magic.

"This new generation is dedicated to sprinting because of the strategy that the Italian Swimming Federation (FIN) has maintained over the last 20 years. In all this time it has consciously focused on training coaches, offering them resources to improve his knowledge in underwater swimming, in starts, in turns, in speed... Technically, winning in fast tests is more difficult and shows that he has worked very well", he proclaims in a conversation with this newspaper

magazine

, who points out what is, in his opinion, the primary reason for the good times: "Yes, the work is born from the 1,500 small clubs in the country, with some 30,000 technicians involved, and that now, after covid, they are experiencing serious financial difficulties. Despite the current successes, there is a threat that talented young people like Pilato or Ceccon will stop swimming because they do not have a club nearby. "

The dream of the European of Rome

The Olympic Games in Paris 2024 are the goal of the current group, but first they will have a second opportunity to shine this year at the next European Championships in Rome, to be held in August.

In everyone's mind, a dream: with the sanctions against Russia, Italy can beat the United Kingdom and lead the medal table for the first time.

"I'd be surprised if we didn't make it," says Gross.

"There is a lot of expectation with the European Championship and I know that he is the main target for many," adds Scozzoli.

Some of the new talents, in fact, train in Rome, although most are concentrated in the High Performance Center of Verona, in the north of the country, where for years they have been working to apply the scientific method to swimming and where during the pandemic, swimmers were able to train at all times.

There it is expected that more medals will fall in this World Cup in Budapest, some today, with several options.

There the ten Olympic medals in Paris are ambitious after adding up to six in Tokyo.

In Spain there are 860 swimming clubs;

in Italy, 1,500, that is double.

47 million people live in Spain;

in Italy, 59, that is to say 12 million more.

They are notable differences, but neither of them explains the enormous inequality in the results that exists between the two countries.

Conforms to The Trust Project criteria

Know more

• Italy

• Swimming World Cup