Bitter swimming finish for Italy

World champion Kristof Rasovszky was crowned Olympic swimming champion over 10 km in open water in Paris on Friday. At the same time, a German caused a big surprise.

August 09, 2024

From: fop/apa

Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Rasovszky led most of the race in the Seine and held the German Oliver Klemet at a distance of 1 seconds after 50,52,7:2,1 hours.

Klement had finished seventh in the 400 m freestyle in the pool in Paris and now managed the splits in the open water perfectly.

Oliver Klemet (l.) on the podium with Hungary's champions Kristof Rasovszky and David Betlehem. © APA/afp / MAURO PIMENTEL

The German Florian Wellbrock and the Italian Gregorio Paltrinieri, the Olympic champion and Olympic bronze medalist from 2021, stayed in the leading group for a long time. However, the athletes, who were also highly decorated in the pool, had to pay tribute to the efforts in the competition, which was affected by the river current, in the finish and were more than a minute behind in eighth and ninth place respectively.

Current affects athletes

Paltrinieri, who speculated about a possible retirement after the race, was not the only Italian disappointment at the last swimming competition in Paris. Domenico Acerenza put in a strong performance, but lost his medal in the finish. He was overtaken by David Betlehem, who took bronze and thus the second Hungarian medal.