Domenico Fioravanti

Domenico Fioravanti was the first Italian to win Olympic gold in swimming, with a historic breaststroke double at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Under the guidance first of Paolo Sartori and then of Alberto Castagnetti, Fioravanti stood out in 1999, becoming European champion at 100 metres. In 2000 he won the European title in the 100 breast, with a silver over 200 metres.

Fioravanti arrived at the Sydney Games as a candidate for both podiums and proved unbeatable, winning his epic double. At the 2001 World Championships in Fukuoka, he added a silver in the 100 breast, and a bronze in the 50m. In 2004, at the beginning of his preparation for the Athina Games, Fioravanti was diagnosed with cardiac hypertrophy, which forced him to abruptly retire after having won 30 Italian titles.

After Sydney, Fioravanti was appointed Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. In November 2011 he was inducted into the prestigious International Swimming Hall of Fame, as the 13th Italian to enter. In May 2015, a plaque dedicated to him was placed at the Walk of Fame of Italian sport in Roma, reserved for former Italian athletes who have distinguished themselves internationally.