Federica Pellegrini

Pellegrini's list of achievements is staggering. She currently holds the world records in the women's 200-meter freestyle (both long course and short course) and the 400-meter freestyle (long course). In 2009, at the World Championships in Rome, she became the first woman ever to break the four-minute barrier in the 400-meter freestyle, with a time of 3:59.15. She is also the first female Olympic champion in Italian swimming history, having won gold in the 200-meter freestyle at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and silver in the same event at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Her career is decorated with numerous medals from World Championships, European Championships, and the Summer Universiade, spanning both long and short course events. In 2009, she was named the World Swimmer of the Year, and she earned the European Swimmer of the Year title in 2009 and 2010.

Off the podium, Pellegrini has her own distinct tastes and interests. She is a fan of the Juventus football club and admires Italian motorcycle racer Valentino Rossi. She has a fondness for puppets and teddy bears, and music is her favorite hobby. She enjoys watching TV but in small doses, and she is selective about the events she attends, preferring to choose carefully among the many requests she receives. She has appeared on the covers of a few Italian magazines and recalls amusingly her guest appearance on Miss Italia 2009 and interviews given to children on the TV show "Chi ha incastrato Peter Pan." Her widespread appeal has made her a sought-after figure in Italian media, yet she remains grounded in her preferences and pursuits. Federica Pellegrini is a true icon of Italian swimming, not only for her medals but also for the longevity and passion she brings to the sport.