For the first time in the history of the European Short Course Swimming Championships, Italy wins the gold medal in the 100 backstroke: the feat is signed by Thomas Ceccon (49″29), while the other Italian Lorenzo Mora finishes in fifth place (49″95). A gripping race full of twists and turns that the 24-year-old from Veneto takes on, who at the start has to deal with the flying start of the Romanian Popescu, who was first halfway through the race, but then even sixth (49″97) at the finish line. Ceccon took the lead at 75 meters and then gritted his teeth to defend himself from the attacks of the Frenchman Mewen Tomac who then had to settle for the silver medal in 49″46. Third place and bronze for the British Oliver Morgan (49″68).
Ceccon: “I came to win”
“I came here to win, for now two races two golds, so good and I’m also the first Italian of the expedition to win individual gold.” Here is all the satisfaction of Thomas Ceccon who speaks to Rai Sport in the mixed zone after winning the gold medal in the 100m backstroke at the European Short Course Swimming Championships in Lublin. “I said that the Frenchman (Tomac ed.) and Oliver Morgan could go fast, I had a good race even if I dropped a bit in frequency in the last 25” comments Ceccon. The other Italian, Lorenzo Mora, was also satisfied, finishing in fifth place. “It’s fine – he says – I came to swim under 50 seconds, I barely made it. In hindsight I could have tried to go faster, but I’m a little tired and still happy with the result. The podium is far away, I knew it would have been difficult, but I can’t help but feel satisfied.”