For Taddeucci, the Seine is golden but dirty: 'It's full of plastic'

Ginevra Taddeucci, 29-year-old Italian long-distance swimmer from Lastra a Signa, won gold in the European Championships’ 10-kilometer race held in Paris. After completing the grueling course through the Seine River, she described the water as “golden but extremely polluted,” citing visible plastic waste. Her candid remarks reflect both her triumph and frustration with environmental conditions. The race took place on a sunny afternoon, with Taddeucci maintaining a steady pace throughout much of the competition. She was closely followed by Hungarian competitor Mihalyvari for three-quarters of the race, while fellow Italian Linda Caponi trailed behind. At one point, Caponi even briefly moved into second place before being overtaken by fatigue. Taddeucci ultimately secured victory, though she admitted the race lacked competitiveness, noting that several top contenders were absent. “It was too easy,” she remarked, expressing disappointment that the challenge did not meet expectations. Taddeucci’s performance contrasted sharply with that of Gregorio Paltrinieri, who finished fourth in the same event. Paltrinieri, known for his consistency in international competitions, attributed his subpar result to a strategic error. He explained that he misjudged the timing of his efforts, losing momentum during key moments of the race. “I missed the current that could have helped me,” he said, acknowledging that he struggled to maintain form during the middle portion of the race. His performance highlighted ongoing challenges faced by elite swimmers in endurance events, particularly when competing against seasoned rivals such as Germany’s Florian Wellbrock, who claimed gold. Environmental concerns emerged as a central theme in post-race discussions. Taddeucci pointed to the presence of plastic debris in the Seine, describing the river as “beautifully dirty.” While French swimming federation officials had previously stated that daily water quality tests showed excellent results, Taddeucci’s observations suggest lingering issues. The pollution, she noted, appeared worse than in previous years, raising questions about the long-term health of the river and its suitability for competitive swimming. Italy’s overall medal tally at the European Championships saw notable success, with four gold medals, three silver, and five bronze. Taddeucci’s victory contributed significantly to this achievement, placing Italy second in total golds behind Great Britain. However, the country remained ahead in the overall podium count. The success extended beyond individual achievements, with the Italian team securing additional honors in artistic swimming, including a bronze in the technical relay event. Looking forward, Taddeucci expressed anticipation for upcoming races, though she hinted at personal challenges. She mentioned that her fiancé recently withdrew from a Canadian competition, leaving her to balance training with emotional support. Despite these hurdles, she remains focused on future competitions, including a relay event. Meanwhile, other Italian competitors continued their performances, with Marcello Guidi finishing fifth and Andrea Filadelli seventh in separate events. The Italian delegation, despite some setbacks, maintained a strong showing, reinforcing its reputation as a powerhouse in aquatic sports.