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Federica PELLEGRINI
Sport Swimming
NOC Italy   
GenderWomen
Born05 Aug 1988 in Verona, ITA
Height1.79 m
 Human Interest 
General Interest
Awards and honours
She was named Female Athlete of the Year at the 2019 Gazzetta Sports Awards in Italy. (oggi.it, 20 Dec 2019)

In 2018 she received the Giulio Onesti Award from the Giulio Onesti Foundation and was also presented with the 2018 Cangrande d'Oro Award in Verona, Italy. (repubblica.it, 28 Jun 2018; veronasera.it, 07 Mar 2018)

She was named Woman of the Year in 2017 by her fellow Italian athletes. (larena.it, 02 Mar 2018)

She was Italy's flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. (abc.net.au, 06 Aug 2016)

She was named the International Sports Press Association [AIPS] 2011 European Female Athlete of the Year. (aipsmedia.com, 02 Jan 2012)

She was named the 2009 World Female Swimmer of the Year by Swimming World Magazine. She was also named European Female Swimmer of the Year by the magazine in 2009, 2010 and 2011. (swimmingworldmagazine.com, 30 Nov 2011, 01 Dec 2009)
Most influential person in career
Her family and coach Alberto Castagnetti. (ilsecoloxix.it, 20 Oct 2017)
Memorable sporting achievement
Winning gold in the 200m freestyle at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and the 2019 World Championships in Gwangju, Republic of Korea. (SportsDeskOnline, 09 Jun 2021; olympics.com, 01 Sep 2021; swimmingworldmagazine.com, 24 Apr 2020)
Milestones
She became the first swimmer to win eight world championship medals in the same individual event when she won a medal in the 200m freestyle at eight consecutive editions of the world championships from 2005 to 2019. She was also the first Italian swimmer to have won six career world championship medals in any event, as well as the first to win seven, eight, nine, 10 and 11 career world championship medals. (SportsDeskOnline, 09 Jun 2020; swimswam.com, 29 Jul 2019)

She became the first female Italian swimmer to win an Olympic gold medal, when she claimed gold in the 200m freestyle at the 2008 Games in Beijing. (SportsDeskOnline, 28 Oct 2020)

When she won silver in the 200m freestyle at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens at age 16 years and 12 days, she became the youngest Italian swimmer to win an Olympic medal. (SportsDeskOnline, 09 Jun 2020; montreal2005.org, 21 Jun 2005)
Hobbies
Spending time with her dogs, fashion, shoes. (Instagram profile, 14 May 2021; olympics.com, 23 Mar 2021)
Further Personal Information
Residence
Verona, ITA
General Interest
Famous relatives
Her grandfather Gastone was an Italian national wrestling champion. (oggi.it, 20 Dec 2019; federnuoto.it, 06 May 2011)
Hero / Idol
Swiss tennis player Roger Federer, Italian motorcyclist Valentino Rossi. (olympics.com, 23 Mar 2021; FINA Aquatics World Magazine, 07 Dec 2010; federicapellegrini.com, 19 Feb 2007)
Sport Specific Information
When and where did you begin this sport?
She first tried swimming when her parents took her to a pool before she was old enough to walk.
Further Personal Information
Languages
English, Italian
General Interest
Nicknames
Fede, Lioness of Verona, La Divina (sportfair.it, 20 Dec 2018; swimvortex.com, 11 Apr 2014; FINA Aquatics World Magazine, 20 Apr 2011)
Other information
RETIREMENT
She retired from competitive swimming in November 2021 after triumphing in the 200m freestyle at the Italian winter short course championships. "I am very happy with how my farewell to swimming went. It's a pity there were no public spectators but at least my family, my old friends, the guys on my team and those I train with were there. I was told I would not feel the fatigue today, but I did. I was on the verge of crying, at one point I couldn't take it anymore. I recovered just in time to be able to compete." (larena.it, 07 Dec 2021)

REDEMPTION FOR RIO
She says the disappointment of missing out on a medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, where she placed fourth in the 200m freestyle, helped motivate her as she went on to win gold in the event at the world championships in 2017. "That season [before the 2016 Games] was really good in terms of results and in terms of preparation. The only thing that went wrong was fourth place and not getting the medal. That [2017] season, I was thinking sometimes about Rio and the fourth place. I would try to push harder and harder to get a medal at the world championships. The year after in 2018? No. There was no thinking of Rio still affecting my life or my mind." She won world championship gold again in the 200m freestyle in 2019. "I was feeling more comfortable [after 2017] with my speed and feeling more comfortable with training and with workouts. Everything was going well, especially [at the 2019 World Championships] in Gwangju. I was feeling amazing, and did not expect that." (swimmingworldmagazine.com, 24 Apr 2020)

OTHER ACTIVITIES
She was elected to the International Olympic Committee [IOC] Athletes' Commission during the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. "What motivated me the most was to find a way to stay in my world and contribute to it, so I think this is the right path for me. I think it's important to have the mindset of an athlete. From my experiences I know what athletes go through and I'm convinced that I can help them." She has also appeared as a judge on the television talent show 'Italia's Got Talent', and owns a restaurant that she opened in 2011 with her family in Venice, Italy, called Tacco 11. (olympics.com, 01 Sep 2021, 23 Mar 2021)
International Debut
Year
2003
Competing for
Italy
Further Personal Information
Occupation
Business Owner
General Interest
Injuries
She was troubled by a back injury in late 2014 and early 2015, and underwent surgery for the problem later in 2015. (corriere.it, 19 Dec 2015; swimvortex.com, 21 Jan 2015)

 Competition Highlights
Olympic Games
Rank Year Venue Event Result
7 2021 Tokyo, JPN 200m Freestyle 1:55.91
  2021 Tokyo, JPN 100m Freestyle DNS
  2021 Tokyo, JPN 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay DSQ
4 2021 Tokyo, JPN 4 x 100m Medley Relay 3:39.28
6 2021 Tokyo, JPN 4 x 100m Medley Relay 3:56.68
4 2016 Rio de Janeiro, BRA 200m Freestyle 1:55.18
Heats 2016 Rio de Janeiro, BRA 100m Freestyle  DNS
8 2016 Rio de Janeiro, BRA 4 x 100m Medley Relay  
Heats 2016 Rio de Janeiro, BRA 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay  
6 2016 Rio de Janeiro, BRA 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:36.78
5 2012 London, ENG 400m Freestyle 4:04.50 
5 2012 London, ENG 200m Freestyle 1:56.73 
Heats 2012 London, ENG 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay  
7 2012 London, ENG 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay 7:56.30
Heats 2012 London, ENG 4 x 100m Medley Relay  
1 2008 Beijing, CHN 200m Freestyle 1:54.82
5 2008 Beijing, CHN 400m Freestyle 4:04.56
Heats 2008 Beijing, CHN 800m Freestyle  DNS
Heats 2008 Beijing, CHN 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay  
4 2008 Beijing, CHN 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay 7:49.76
Heats 2008 Beijing, CHN 4 x 100m Medley Relay  
Heats 2004 Athens, GRE 4 x 100m Medley Relay  DSQ
2 2004 Athens, GRE 200m Freestyle 1:58.22 
10 2004 Athens, GRE 100m Freestyle 55.30 
74 2004 Athens, GRE 50m Freestyle DNS
Heats 2004 Athens, GRE 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:44.88
World Championships
Rank Year Venue Event Result
1 2019 Gwangju, KOR 200m Freestyle 1:54.22
Heats 2019 Gwangju, KOR 100m Freestyle 54.68
Heats 2019 Gwangju, KOR 50m Freestyle 25.08
4 2019 Gwangju, KOR 4 x 100m Medley Relay 3:56.50
8 2019 Gwangju, KOR 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:25.58
6 2019 Gwangju, KOR 4 x 100m Medley Relay 3:43.27
1 2017 Budapest, HUN 200m Freestyle 1:54.73
Semifinal 2017 Budapest, HUN 100m Freestyle 54.26
Heats 2017 Budapest, HUN 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay  
5 2017 Budapest, HUN 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:24.89
8 2017 Budapest, HUN 4 x 100m Medley Relay 3:59.98
8 2017 Budapest, HUN 4 x 100m Medley Relay 3:46.33
2 2015 Kazan, RUS 200m Freestyle 1:55.32
Heats 2015 Kazan, RUS 100m Freestyle  DNS
6 2015 Kazan, RUS 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:37.16
2 2015 Kazan, RUS 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay 7:48.41
5 2015 Kazan, RUS 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay  
Semifinal 2013 Barcelona, ESP 200m Backstroke 2:09.97
2 2013 Barcelona, ESP 200m Freestyle 1:55.14
Heats 2013 Barcelona, ESP 4 x 100m Medley Relay  DSQ
7 2013 Barcelona, ESP 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay 7:57.91
Heats 2013 Barcelona, ESP 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:39.50
Heat 2011 Shanghai, CHN 800m Freestyle  DNS
1 2011 Shanghai, CHN 400m Freestyle 4:01.97
1 2011 Shanghai, CHN 200m Freestyle 1:55.58
Heat 2011 Shanghai, CHN 100m Freestyle  DNS
Heat 2011 Shanghai, CHN 4 x 100m Medley Relay  
Heat 2011 Shanghai, CHN 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay  
Heat 2009 Rome, ITA 800m Freestyle  DNS
4 2009 Rome, ITA 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay 7:46.57
1 2009 Rome, ITA 400m Freestyle 3:59.15
1 2009 Rome, ITA 200m Freestyle 1:52.98
Heat 2009 Rome, ITA 100m Freestyle  DNS
Heats 2007 Melbourne, VIC, AUS 4 x 100m Medley Relay  
5 2007 Melbourne, VIC, AUS 400m Freestyle 4:05.79
3 2007 Melbourne, VIC, AUS 200m Freestyle 1:56.97
Heats 2007 Melbourne, VIC, AUS 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay 8:06.64
2 2005 Montreal, CAN 200m Freestyle 1:58.73
10 2005 Montreal, CAN 100m Freestyle 55.37 
5 2005 Montreal, CAN 4 x 100m Medley Relay 4:04.90
Heats 2003 Barcelona, ESP 100m Freestyle  DNS
8 2003 Barcelona, ESP 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay  
World Championships Short Course
Rank Year Venue Event Result
4 2018 Hangzhou, CHN 200m Freestyle 1:53.18
Semifinal 2018 Hangzhou, CHN 100m Freestyle 52.86
7 2018 Hangzhou, CHN 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay 1:30.96
6 2018 Hangzhou, CHN 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay 7:43.18
3 2018 Hangzhou, CHN 4 x 100m Medley Relay 3:51.38
5 2018 Hangzhou, CHN 4 x 50m Medley Relay 1:38.08
1 2016 Windsor, ON, CAN 200m Freestyle 1:51.73 
5 2016 Windsor, ON, CAN 100m Freestyle 52.43 
  2016 Windsor, ON, CAN 400m Freestyle DNS
2 2016 Windsor, ON, CAN 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:30.28
Heats 2014 Doha, QAT 200m Backstroke 2:05.76
5 2014 Doha, QAT 200m Freestyle 1:54.01
3 2014 Doha, QAT 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:29.48
6 2012 Istanbul, TUR 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay 7:46.01
7 2012 Istanbul, TUR 4 x 100m Medley Relay 3:56.12
7 2010 Dubai, UAE 200m Freestyle 1:55.24
3 2010 Dubai, UAE 400m Freestyle 3:59.52
6 2010 Dubai, UAE 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay 7:46.80
3 2006 Shanghai, CHN 400m Freestyle 4:03.63
4 2006 Shanghai, CHN 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay 7:50.39
2 2006 Shanghai, CHN 200m Freestyle 1:55.15
7 2006 Shanghai, CHN 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:39.18
European Championships
Rank Year Venue Event Result
3 2021 Budapest, HUN 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:22.64
2 2021 Budapest, HUN 200m Freestyle 1:56.29
Heats 2021 Budapest, HUN 100m Freestyle  DNS
3 2021 Budapest, HUN 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay 7:56.72
2 2021 Budapest, HUN 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay 7:29.35
3 2021 Budapest, HUN 4 x 100m Medley Relay 3:56.30
6 2021 Budapest, HUN 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:39.08
5 2018 Glasgow, SCO 100m Freestyle 54.04
5 2018 Glasgow, SCO 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay 7:32.37
5 2018 Glasgow, SCO 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:38.11
4 2018 Glasgow, SCO 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:24.94
4 2018 Glasgow, SCO 4 x 100m Medley Relay 3:57.00
1 2016 London, ENG 200m Freestyle 1:55.93
2 2016 London, ENG 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:24.55
2 2016 London, ENG 4 x 100m Medley Relay 3:45.74
5 2016 London, ENG 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay 7:54.79
2 2016 London, ENG 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:37.68
4 2014 Berlin, GER 400m Freestyle 4:04.42
1 2014 Berlin, GER 200m Freestyle 1:56.01
1 2014 Berlin, GER 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay 7:50.53
5 2014 Berlin, GER 4 x 100m Medley Relay 3:48.23
3 2014 Berlin, GER 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:37.63
1 2012 Debrecen, HUN 200m Freestyle 1:56.76
Heats 2012 Debrecen, HUN 400m Freestyle 4:14.27
3 2012 Debrecen, HUN 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:39.84
1 2012 Debrecen, HUN 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay 7:52.90
3 2010 Budapest, HUN 800m Freestyle 8:24.99
  2010 Budapest, HUN 400m Freestyle DNS
1 2010 Budapest, HUN 200m Freestyle 1:55.45
1 2008 Eindhoven, NED 400m Freestyle 4:01.53
Heats 2008 Eindhoven, NED 200m Freestyle  DSQ
Heats 2008 Eindhoven, NED 100m Freestyle  DNS
2 2008 Eindhoven, NED 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:41.06
3 2008 Eindhoven, NED 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay 7:55.69
Heats 2006 Budapest, HUN 400m Freestyle  DNS
Semi Final 2006 Budapest, HUN 200m Freestyle  
Heats 2006 Budapest, HUN 100m Freestyle  DNS
6 2006 Budapest, HUN 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:42.59
5 2006 Budapest, HUN 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay 8:02.61
Heats 2006 Budapest, HUN 4 x 100m Medley Relay  DSQ
6 2004 Madrid, ESP 100m Freestyle 55.33
4 2004 Madrid, ESP 200m Freestyle 2:00.28
5 2004 Madrid, ESP 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:45.72
4 2004 Madrid, ESP 4 x 100m Medley Relay 4:07.79
European Championships Short Course
Rank Year Venue Event Result
Heats 2019 Glasgow, SCO 400m Freestyle  DNS
2 2019 Glasgow, SCO 200m Freestyle 1:52.88
6 2019 Glasgow, SCO 100m Freestyle 52.30
2 2019 Glasgow, SCO 4 x 50m Medley Relay  
5 2019 Glasgow, SCO 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay 1:30.37
7 2017 Copenhagen, DEN 100m Freestyle 52.97
Heats 2017 Copenhagen, DEN 200m Backstroke  DNS
Semifinal 2017 Copenhagen, DEN 100m Backstroke 57.98
8 2017 Copenhagen, DEN 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay  DSQ
3 2017 Copenhagen, DEN 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay 1:29.38
1 2015 Netanya, ISR 200m Freestyle 1:51.89
Heats 2015 Netanya, ISR 200m Backstroke  DNS
5 2015 Netanya, ISR 100m Freestyle 52.56
1 2015 Netanya, ISR 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay 1:36.05
4 2013 Herning, DEN 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay 1:37.56
Heats 2013 Herning, DEN 200m Backstroke  DNS
3 2013 Herning, DEN 400m Freestyle 3:58.90
1 2013 Herning, DEN 200m Freestyle 1:52.80
  2011 Szczecin, POL 200m Freestyle  DNS
4 2011 Szczecin, POL 400m Freestyle 4:00.46
3 2011 Szczecin, POL 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay 1:38.12
  2010 Eindhoven, NED 200m Freestyle  DNS
  2010 Eindhoven, NED 400m Freestyle  DNF
1 2010 Eindhoven, NED 800m Freestyle 8:15.20
5 2010 Eindhoven, NED 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay 1:40.44
3 2010 Eindhoven, NED 4 x 50m Medley Relay 1:49.56
  2009 Istanbul, TUR 400m Freestyle  DNS
8 2009 Istanbul, TUR 4 x 50m Medley Relay 1:47.70
1 2009 Istanbul, TUR 200m Freestyle 1:51.17
4 2009 Istanbul, TUR 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay 1:39.03
1 2008 Rijeka, CRO 200m Freestyle 1:51.85
3 2008 Rijeka, CRO 4 x 50m Medley Relay 1:47.05
4 2008 Rijeka, CRO 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay 1:38.88
2 2007 Debrecen, HUN 400m Freestyle 4:00.78
5 2007 Debrecen, HUN 200m Freestyle 1:56.61
13 2006 Helsinki, FIN 100m Freestyle 55.08
7 2006 Helsinki, FIN 800m Freestyle 8:25.00
5 2006 Helsinki, FIN 200m Freestyle 1:55.51
2 2006 Helsinki, FIN 400m Freestyle 3:59.96
7 2006 Helsinki, FIN 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay 1:41.12
3 2005 Trieste, ITA 400m Freestyle 4:02.81
1 2005 Trieste, ITA 200m Freestyle 1:55.54
6 2005 Trieste, ITA 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay 1:40.31
5 2004 Vienna, AUT 100m Freestyle 54.25
4 2004 Vienna, AUT 200m Freestyle 1:57.45
7 2004 Vienna, AUT 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay 1:41.96
14 2003 Dublin, IRL 100m Freestyle 54.67
9 2003 Dublin, IRL 200m Freestyle 1:58.46
7 2003 Dublin, IRL 4 x 50m Medley Relay 1:52.29
World Cup
Rank Year Venue Event Result
3 2019 Tokyo, JPN 100m Backstroke 1:00.13
2 2019 Tokyo, JPN 100m Freestyle 53.40
16 2017   Overall  
2 2017 Berlin, GER 200m Freestyle 1:52.05
6 2017 Berlin, GER 4 x 50m Medley Relay 1:42.24
6 2017 Berlin, GER 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay 1:32.51
2 2017 Eindhoven, NED 200m Freestyle 1:51.63
1 2017 Moscow, RUS 400m Freestyle 3:57.80
5 2017 Moscow, RUS 100m Freestyle 52.99
1 2007 Berlin, GER 400m Freestyle 4:02.29
3 2007 Berlin, GER 200m Freestyle 1:55.29