Mediterranean Games: Pilato wins gold on home soil; Italy claims 13 medals
The home favourite was absolutely thrilled at the start of the 100-metre breaststroke in front of the supportive crowd that had turned out in force at the Torre d’Ayala Swimming Stadium, a brand-new facility with its Olympic-sized pools, but she won her race with ease, finishing ahead of her fellow Italian Lisa Angelini
As if it had been scripted, the Italian team’s first gold medal at the Mediterranean Games in Taranto could only have been won by her, Benedetta Pilato.
The home favourite was absolutely thrilled at the start of the 100-metre breaststroke in front of the supportive home crowd who had turned out in large numbers at the Torre d’Ayala Swimming Stadium, a brand-new facility with its Olympic-sized lanes, but she won her race with ease, finishing ahead of her Italian teammate Lisa Angelini.
And so ended the wait for gold medals, which – as the first day of competition drew to a close – was beginning to cause concern for Italia. Following Benedetta’s triumph, there were also victories for Gabriele Mancini, who came first in the men’s 100-metre breaststroke, and Noemi Cesarano in the 1,500-metre freestyle.
By the end of yesterday, 22 August, Italy had won a total of thirteen medals: 3 golds, 8 silvers and 2 bronzes, all won in swimming, which have propelled Italia into second place in the medal table behind Turkey, which leads the standings with four golds but has won fewer medals overall – seven compared to Italia’s thirteen.
“It’s wonderful to win on home soil,” said a beaming Benedetta Pilato. “I’d like to thank the crowd and everyone who made this possible. I’m used to competing away from Taranto; I’ve even been forced to train away from home. To be honest, I thought I wasn’t very attached to my homeland, but when you experience a scene like this, you realise just how strong that sense of belonging really is. People’s affection means so much to me; I’m happy.”
