There it is: Nicolò Martinenghi proudly shows his gold medal. © ANSA / ETTORE FERRARI

Italy's first Olympic gold and a major polemic

Italy's first gold medal at the Paris Olympic Games is a reality. However, there was also a great controversy about an Italian athlete on Sunday. The Olympic Day at a glance.

July 28, 2024

From: det

Italy had won five Olympic medals on the first two days in Paris, but none of them were gold. That was to change on Sunday evening. Then swimmer Nicolò Martinenghi came on the scene - and his performance caused a lot of surprise.

In the men's 100-meter breaststroke final, the 24-year-old from Varese was one of the favorites, but before the race all eyes were on three-time Olympic champion Adam Peaty. But in the end, it was not the Brit who was allowed to hang the gold medal around his neck, but Nicolò Martinenghi.

Martinenghi celebrates his gold medal. © ANSA / ETTORE FERRARI

With a truly magical performance, the swimmer won his first Olympic gold medal. In 2022, he had already been crowned world champion in the 100-meter breaststroke. Superstar Peaty, who won the Olympic gold medal in that discipline in both 2016 and 2021, had to settle for silver - together with US boy Nic Fink.

Big excitement at Judo

For Italy, there was not only great celebration on Sunday, but also a lot of frustration. Above all, for judoka Odette Giuffrida. The Roman, who won a medal in each of the last two Olympics (silver and bronze), came away empty-handed this time. Referee Ioana Babiuc caused controversy. In both the semifinals and the fight for third place, she drew the Italian's anger with several controversial decisions against Odette Giuffrida.

Odette Giuffrida had to settle for fourth place. © ANSA / CIRO FUSCO

"I'm going to have a coffee with this referee at some point and then ask her what problem she has with me," said Giuffrida after the competition. "It's been like this for a while. Whenever I see her refereeing the duel, I know that I have to do more than is actually necessary. She doesn't like me very much."

Giovanni Malagó, Italy's CONI boss, also commented on the issue. "We were very perplexed by some of the decisions. But what surprised us most was that the referee also refereed the fight for third place after the controversial semi-final."