We have a new first-time Olympic medalist, as Gregorio Paltrinieri of Italy won the men’s 1500m freestyle swimming event to earn the gold. Connor Jaeger of the United States won silver, and the bronze went to Paltrinieri’s Italian teammate Gabriele Detti.
Rio 2016 swimming results: Gregorio Paltrinieri wins gold in men’s 1500m freestyle
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Paltrinieri, a second-time Olympian, finished fifth in the 1500m in London. This time he swam a 14:34.57 for the victory, within four seconds of the world record. The 21-year-old also won gold in the same event at the 2015 World Championships. Jaeger competed in the 1500m in London as well, finishing sixth. On Saturday he once again finished one spot behind Paltrinieri, but this time he has a medal to show for it. He also set a national record along the way at 14:39.48.
One swimmer notably absent from the final was Sun Yang of China. The 24-year-old won the gold in London in 2012 and set a world record along the way, but he finished well out of the running in the qualifying heat. He noted complications from flu medication as a factor in his elimination. Canadian Ryan Cochrane, who earned bronze in Beijing and silver in London, dropped to sixth place in Rio.
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