Federica Pellegrini is currently considered the greatest Italian swimmer of all time. World record holder in the 200m and 400m freestyle, in which she specialized, is now 34 years old and has the merit of having brought many girls closer to the sport of swimming.
Biography and origins
Federica Pellegrini was born in Mirano on August 5, 1988 and is therefore 34 years old. The mother Cinzia is the daughter of a former wrestling champion and already had a passion for sport. His father Roberto, on the other hand, was a barman in a prestigious hotel. To give input to Federica's career in swimming it was the mother who, still a child, enrolled her in the Gazzera swimming pool. The first competitions as a very young girl, at only 6 years old, where he was already getting excellent results. atdebut at the Italian championships was just 14 years old (he won his first bronze medal on that occasion) while in 2004, he made his debut for the senior national team at the age of 16.
Il official withdrawal from sporting competitions it is dated November 30, 2021. To date, the former swimmer is married to Matteo Giunta since last August 27, 2022.
Sports career
The sporting career of "La Divina" Federica Pellegrini began when she was very young, at 6 years old, when her mother enrolled her in advanced courses at the Gazzera swimming pool. A studded career of great successes, personal and world records, moments of rest (so-called sabbatical years) until his retirement at the end of 2021.
Historic victories and great results
Federica Pellegrini didn't take long to win and collect great results. The first bronze medal, in fact, came just 14 years old. Almost all major events have resulted in a success that is definitely worth remembering.
- Athens 2004 Olympic Games: silver medal in the 200m freestyle which also entitles her as the youngest Italian athlete to arrive on the individual Olympic podium.
- Eindhoven 2008 European Championships: first world record in the 400m freestyle (4'01"53).
- Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: gold medal (first Olympic gold in women's swimming) in the 200m freestyle. World record in the same specialty with a time of 1'54"82.
- Rome 2009 World Championships: Gold medal in both the 200m and 400m freestyle. She was the first woman in the world to go under 4 minutes in the 400m freestyle with a record time of 3'59″15.
- Shanghai 2011 World Championships: two golds in the 200m and 400m freestyle.
- Barcelona 2013 World Championships: silver in the 200m freestyle.
- World Championships in Kazan 2015: silver in the 200m freestyle and with the 4×200m relay.
- Windsor Short World Championships 2016: gold in the 200m freestyle and title of world champion in short course.
- Budapest 2017 World Championships: gold in the 200m freestyle and record of first Italian swimmer to get on the world podium 7 times in a row.
- Gwangju 2019 World Championships: Gold in the 200m freestyle and eighth consecutive podium: never anyone like her!
- Tokyo 2020: Fifth consecutive Olympic final, a record.
- Absolute Winter Championships in short course: victory of the 130th absolute Italian title. Precisely on that occasion, November 30, 2021, Federica Pellegrini will give the definitive stop to her competitive career.
Honors and awards
Several awards and recognitions that Federica Pellegrini has collected during her incredible career.
- Ben 9 awards at the Gazzetta Sport Awards (2008, 2009, 2011 and 2019 in the category Woman of the year in Italy; 209, 2011 and 2017 in the category International Woman of the Year; 2016 in the category Legend e Sportsweek Award in 2021).
- Swimmer of the Year in 2009 for Swimming World Magazine.
- European Swimmer of the Year, for the same journal, in the three-year period 2009-2011.
- Golden Cangrande Award in 2008, 2010 and 2015.
- Sports legend for the Gazzetta dello Sport in 2016.
- Lion of the Veneto Award in 2020.
Preparation and training
Passion, sacrifices and absolute dedication are certainly among the main ingredients of the success of Federica Pellegrini whose preparation and training have had a significant impact on his performances. Preparations which, among other things, have been greatly affected by the continuous changes of coach and, therefore, of method but which have led, overall, to the definition of the world myth that today is "La Divina".
With Alberto Castagnetti Pellegrini began, from September to December, at 8 in the morning and as of 2009 was training with 11 sessions in the 16 km pool per day and 2-3 sessions in the gym to strengthen muscles. In the period instead, January-March was given more space to aerobic, qualitative and altitude training. After the death of Castagnetti (2009) and a brief parenthesis with Stefano Morini, which lasted just a year, the Philippe Lucas.
Thus it was that Federica Pellegrini's preparation changed radically. He started at 6 in the morning instead of 8 going to favor muscle volume and resistance. In 2011, despite the excellent results, the first divorce from Lucas with Federico Bonifacenti taking over. Even sentimental commitments of the swimmer lead her to the umpteenth change of her in favor of Claudio Rossetto who already coached her partner Magnini. After the disappointment in London 2012, however, Philippe Lucas returned.
This disappointment was also followed by a sabbatical year , resumption of training with Matteo Giunta, Lucas' deputy. These foresaw, every morning, just one session in the water, twice a week a run on the track and three afternoons in the gym to make the arm muscles stronger.
Curiosities about "La Divina"
Several anecdotes and curiosities about Federica Pellegrini. Three of them certainly stand out.
- Fear of water: although it may seem absurd, the former swimmer has revealed that she is afraid of swimming in the open sea to which she prefers the pool.
- The passion for fashion: a real passion for Pellegrini is fashion which also represents her next secret dream. In fact, she has repeatedly revealed that she wants to launch her own line of clothing.
- Inseparable mascara: waterproof mascara can never be missing, even before the races. The reason? Pellegrini sees her eyelashes too light and, for this reason, she doesn't particularly love them and she wants to highlight them with a touch of makeup.
How much does he earn and how much is his estate?
There are many who ask how much does Federica Pellegrini earn and how much his patrimony may amount to today. Based on the latest rumors in this regard, it seems that the former champion brings home, between sports and shows in which she has participated (the latest in chronological order at "C'è Posta per Te" by Maria DeFilippi), something like 2 million euros. And all without taking into consideration all the prizes that each Olympic medal has reserved for her.
Private life
La private life of Federica Pellegrini it is characterized by the great love for the family and by its innumerable love stories. Before getting married, in fact, she had several relationships with Luca Marin (2008-2011), Filippo Magnini (2011-2017).
The marriage
To date Federica Pellegrini is happily married to Matteo Giunta, with whom she married last year in Venice August 27 2022. Several years of engagement that both, however, have tried to save as much as possible from public visibility. All this up until the time of retirement from competitions after which the couple no longer wanted to hide their love by also participating in various social events.
The family
Fundamental for Federica Pellegrini, the family he has always supported her in every decision both private and professional. Indispensable, for her career, the push of mother Cinzia and the help of dad Robert. The closeness of the is indisputable brother Alexander that when he can he runs away from the restaurant where he works to hug his sister again. Finally, the affection of the two dogs Rocky and Vanessa to which Federica is very close.
