Budapest 2022: Italia sul tetto del mondo nelle acque libere. Francia, Gran Bretagna e Italia al top nei tuffi tra gli europei

Winning another gold at the Lupa Beach in Budapest, Italy topped the medals table in open water swimming with six medals (two golds, two silvers and two bronze) ahead of Germany with five (two golds, two silvers and one bronze). This time it was Dario Verani who took the top step of the marathon podium, dominating the men's 25km in 5:02:21.50, overtaking favourite Axel Raymond in the final cone. The Frenchman, 2019 world champion, touched in 5:02:22.70, ahead of Hungary's Peter Galicz (5:02:35.40).

"This is a dream come true," Verani said. "Very few believed it on the eve of the race, but I knew (I could do) it. This race tests you physically, mentally and also moodwise. I am now living in a bubble of lightness. This medal is a relief.”

In the same distance for the women, Germany's Lea Boy was the best European athlete with her second place finish in a time of 5:24:15.20. Only Brazil’s Ana Marcela Cunha was faster, while the Olympic champion Sharon Van Rouwendaal (NED) settled for bronze (5:24:15.30).

"I knew there were four of us. Luckily, in the end I pulled out all I could again," Boy said. "Races like this are a reward for all the training.”

DIVING

At the Duna Arena in Budapest, where the diving competition continues, China set for gold, as always, in all diving events. In the mixed 3m/10m team event, France’s Jade Gillet and Alexis Jandard secured silver with a score of 385.50 ahead of Great Britain (357.60). The British pair, who was eighth after five dives, surprised all their opponents (Malaysia, Germany, the United States, Brazil and South Korea) with James Heatly's last dive that allowed him and compatriot Andrea Spendolini Sirieix to get bronze.

The British diver later sealed another bronze (287.61) in the mixed synchro from the 3-metre springboard, this time paired up with Grace Reid. Ahead of them, Italy's young athletes from Rome the 15-year-old Matteo Santoro and Chiara Pellacani, who are reigning European champions, took silver.

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