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Italian Swimming Team Sets Internet On Fire With Shirtless Pic After Olympic Win
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Italian Swimming Team Sets Internet On Fire With Shirtless Pic After Olympic Win

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A photo of three Italian Olympic medalists has captured the attention of thousands of netizens, whose comments were not exactly focused on the shining trophies hanging from the men’s necks. 

The viral picture shows swimmers Nicolò Martinenghi, Thomas Ceccon, and Gregorio Paltrinieri posing shirtless with their medals.

People couldn’t help but comment on the men’s physical appearance, with one user describing the athletes as the “Holy Trinity.”

Thomas, from Vincenza, won gold in the men’s 100m backstroke at the 2024 Paris Olympics on July 29.

Nicolò, born in Varese, won gold in the 100m breaststroke.

Image credits: nicolomartinenghi

Meanwhile, Gregorio, from Carpi, took home the bronze medal in the 800m freestyle event, marking his third podium finish in three consecutive Olympic Games. The gold medal went to Irish swimmer Daniel Wiffen, while the American Bobby Fink took the silver.

“One more reason not to learn to swim and get saved,” a woman commented on the viral photo, which currently has over 400,000 likes.

“In Italy, we say, ‘You should be a UNESCO World Heritage Site,'” another one shared.

The triumphant photo made someone else want to pack their bags and book a flight to the Bel Paese. “I’ve decided I’m moving to Italy.”

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Image credits: ceccon_thomas

Image credits: greg_palt

Mamma mia, what a trio!” wrote an Italian woman. “Proud of you guys. Very good, and also very good-looking.”

“May Italians be eternal,” a separate user exclaimed.

“Talented and also attractive, our swimming heroes,” a compatriot said, while another added, “The Olympic gods are all here.”

“The favorite swimmers of your favorite swimmers,” wrote 23-year-old gold medalist Thomas Ceccon

Image credits: nicolomartinnenghi/greg_palt/ceccon_thomas

Reposting the photo on his Instagram stories, Thomas jokingly wrote, “The favorite swimmers of your favorite swimmers.”

The 23-year-old told Rai News he had been dreaming of winning a gold medal ever since his childhood.

“When I was a kid, I used to go to training with Alberto (the coach, ed.) by car. He asked me what my dream was. I said I wanted to win the Olympics, and he said, ‘Calm down, one thing at a time. ‘ As a kid, I knew I could win it,” recalled the sportsman, nicknamed  The Shark for his incredible speed and height of 1.97 meters (6.4 feet).

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Thomas, from Vincenza, won gold in the men’s 100m backstroke

Gregorio, from Carpi, took home the bronze medal in the 800m freestyle event

Meanwhile, Nicolò, born in Varese, made his country proud after winning gold in the 100m breaststroke


Standing on the podium and bringing glory to his nation felt “emotional,” Thomas added.

“It hadn’t happened to me at the World Championships, but here, there’s a race every four years; if you make a mistake, you’ve lost everything.

“I’m enjoying myself, but tomorrow I’ll wake up knowing that I haven’t done anything. Those who compete in more races don’t rest.” 

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Marina Urman

Marina Urman

Writer, BoredPanda staff

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Marina is a journalist at Bored Panda. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she holds a Bachelor of Social Science. In her spare time, you can find her baking, reading, or binge-watching a docuseries. Her main areas of interest are pop culture, literature, and education.

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Marina Urman

Marina Urman

Writer, BoredPanda staff

Marina is a journalist at Bored Panda. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she holds a Bachelor of Social Science. In her spare time, you can find her baking, reading, or binge-watching a docuseries. Her main areas of interest are pop culture, literature, and education.

Karina Babenok

Karina Babenok

Author, BoredPanda staff

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As a visual editor in the News team, I look for the most interesting pictures and comments to make each post interesting and informative through images, so that you aren't reading only blocks of text. I joined Bored Panda not that long ago, but in this short amount of time I have covered a wide range of topics: from true crime to Taylor Swift memes (my search history is very questionable because of that).In my freetime, I enjoy spending time at the gym, gaming, binging Great British Bake Off and adding yet another tattoo artist that I would love to get a tattoo from to my pinterest board.

Read less »

Karina Babenok

Karina Babenok

Author, BoredPanda staff

As a visual editor in the News team, I look for the most interesting pictures and comments to make each post interesting and informative through images, so that you aren't reading only blocks of text. I joined Bored Panda not that long ago, but in this short amount of time I have covered a wide range of topics: from true crime to Taylor Swift memes (my search history is very questionable because of that).In my freetime, I enjoy spending time at the gym, gaming, binging Great British Bake Off and adding yet another tattoo artist that I would love to get a tattoo from to my pinterest board.

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Bec
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stop oogling the athletes and show some respect!

Zoe's Mom
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was thinking the same. These athletes: regardless of gender, put their lives on hold for the Olympics and we have reduced ourselves to just seeing the surface of someone rather than the hard work and dedication it takes to get to the Olympics. Jeez...

Load More Replies...
KatSaidWhat
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What - because they were fully dressed in the pool? What a load of twaddle.

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Bec
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stop oogling the athletes and show some respect!

Zoe's Mom
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was thinking the same. These athletes: regardless of gender, put their lives on hold for the Olympics and we have reduced ourselves to just seeing the surface of someone rather than the hard work and dedication it takes to get to the Olympics. Jeez...

Load More Replies...
KatSaidWhat
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What - because they were fully dressed in the pool? What a load of twaddle.

Load More Comments
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