Olympic Stars to Clash at Sette Colli Meet in Rome; Final Preparations for World Champs Underway
Last summer, the Sette Colli meet in Rome served as a final tuneup for the Olympic Games in Paris. This year, the competition, which runs from June 26-28, will provide final preparation opportunities for the World Championships in Singapore. The annual event, which will launch its 61st edition, will be held in Rome at the Foro Italico, the site of World and European Championships.
Not surprising, several premier Italian athletes will be in action, headlined by Thomas Ceccon and Nicolo Martinenghi. At the Paris Games, Ceccon claimed the Olympic title in the 100-meter backstroke while Martinenghi picked up gold in the 100 breaststroke. They will be joined at the Settecolli by fellow Italians Simona Quadarella, Benedetta Pilato, Alberto Razzetti and rising star Sara Curtis.
According to the meet’s website, athletes from 32 nations are expected, with Great Britain sending a deep team that will include the likes of Olympic medalists Ben Proud, Duncan Scott and James Guy. Meanwhile, Switzerland’s Noe Ponti is expected to contest the 100 butterfly while Russia’s Kliment Kolesnikov will be on hand and is likely to duel with Ceccon in the 100 backstroke.
In distance action, look for Germany’s Florian Wellbrock and Italy’s Gregorio Paltrinieri to battle.