“There was a bit of nervousness.” Just three words, spoken with an almost disarming naturalness, to transform Giovanni Guatti into one of the most beloved characters of these European swimming championships. The 23-year-old from Udine not only reached a historic final in the 50 freestyle: in a few days he became a small web star thanks to his interviews, in which he showed a way of telling his story far from prepared phrases and cover declarations. He showed himself for who he is: a calm, down-to-earth guy, with no intention of creating a persona. Even when asked about the tension before such an important race, the answer came without filters: “There was a bit of nervousness, the usual one though, just enough to add a bit of spice, of energy. So very good.”
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Then he added: “I try to always stay, in truth, quite within the lines. I am not, perhaps an engineering deformation.” An unintentional joke that also tells well about his path outside the pool: Guatti in fact earned a bachelor’s degree in management engineering. No attitudes of an unreachable champion, then. On the contrary, when asked about the time of the season and holidays, he answers as anyone might after months of work: “A little bit lucky them, because this year has really been long.” And again: “We started swimming last September — he explained — This season has given many satisfactions, but, well, it’s not over yet.”
Then he smiled thinking about the next appointment: “If it goes well, the little holiday will be even more deserved, right? And if not, it doesn’t matter.” It is precisely this simplicity that has also won over those who normally follow swimming little. As had happened with Thomas Ceccon, the public recognized in Guatti an athlete capable of being great without feeling obliged to prove it. And so, between two European golds in the 4×50 freestyle relay and the 4×50 mixed freestyle relay and the surprising individual final, Guatti also took another achievement: the affection of the public. Without looking for it, perhaps precisely for this.
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Guatti, I really like you, I always want you in interviews please never take away his interviews #paris2026 pic.twitter.com/lAXeErwMFd
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— ghita (@Maghi_98) August 15, 2026
