Thomas Ceccon, "This Is Proof That Sometimes You Can Lose, But You Can Learn From That." (2024)

2024 PARIS SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES

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Italy’s Thomas Ceccon swam to a gold in the men’s 100 backstroke, in a swim that was redemption from last year at the 2023 World Championships when he won silver. Ceccon is the World Record holder in the event and stood at the top of the podium tonight.

“It was tough. I changed my tactical approach for tonight,” Ceccon said. “I have to say the last few meters I was very tired. But these races are won like this. Last year I lost because I was a bit slow and made a few mistakes, even during warm up. This time around, I haven’t made those mistakes. This is proof that sometimes you can lose, but you can learn from that.”

Finishing behind Ceccon for bronze was Ryan Murphy of the US who also won bronze in the event in Tokyo. Murphy’s wife had an announcement for him tonight, revealing the gender of their baby.

“When I was walking back around, Bridget was holding up a sign, and it said ‘Ryan it’s a girl’,” Murphy said. “So I’m having a baby girl in January. That was her gender reveal to me. We both thought it was going to be a boy. Everything is going to be dedicated to that little girl.”

After just missing the podium in Tokyo with a 4th place finish, David Popovici of Romania made history tonight becoming the first male for the country to ever win gold in the pool. Popovici said of his win, “I feel amazing. It is so great to be here. So many Romanians in the crowd. It’s beautiful, it’s a dream come true. I don’t know how to describe it. It’s so simple, yet so beautiful.”

Canada picked up its first gold medal in the pool this week as teenage Summer McIntosh swam to a win in the 400 IM. This was her second medal of the meet after silver in the 400 free. “I’m just trying to make team Canada proud,” McIntosh said. “I couldn’t really see anything until the breaststroke, then I knew I was in a comfortable lead going into that last 100m. It was an amazing feeling.”

After winning silver in Tokyo, Emma Weyant returned to the podium in the 400 IM with a bronze medal finish. Weyant missed the 2023 Worlds roster for the US after being disqualified in prelims at US Nationals in the 400 IM.

“I’m just so happy to be back on the podium. It’s been a long three years for me,” Weyant said. “Just getting back out there with my teammates means the world to me. This is kind of a redemption year. That has been my mindset the whole year.”

South Africa’s Tatjana Smith returned to the podium in the women’s 100 breast, winning gold this time around after winning silver in Tokyo. Smith will compete in the 200 breast later this week where she is the defending gold medalist.

“I am going to keep my phone off. I don’t know, I think everyone is so proud,” Smith said. “Obviously I think they would have been proud even if I did not win a medal. That’s what I am really grateful for, really just the people in my life, they have been so supportive. It’s the small things that make us and drive us as athletes.”

Ireland’s Mona McSharry captured her country’s first swimming medal since 1996 as she won bronze in the women’s 100 breast. McSharry shared her excitement saying, “Those moments when I thought I was done really put into perspective what I really do this for.”

“This is a huge bonus but there are so many other things that come as a part of this, like training and watching my friends compete, and being able to see myself progress and get better,” McSharry continued. “And then you have a bonus like this when you get to stand up on the podium and watch your flag being raised at the Olympic Games.”