When in Rome….

Sette Colli is definitely one of the year’s highlights.  Held at the impressive outdoor ‘Stadio Del Nuoto’ in Rome, the venue is a favourite to many National and International swimmers. This year, Ranomi Kromowidjojo, Sarah Sjostrom, Cameron van der Burgh and Ruta Meilutyte were among a few of the big names, not forgetting Italy’s very own, Gregorio Paltrinieri and Gabriele Detti.

It’s funny to watch how Italian the International swimmers become as they hit Italian soil, they really seem to embrace the Italian culture…

Ruta Meilutyte is a huge fan of Italy, in particular to its coffee. Yes partial to a few morning shots of espresso, Ruta literally swims in the stuff!  No really, she does > Espresso Swimsuit!
Our favourite Lithuanian had a great two days in Rome, securing wins in both the 50m and 100m Breaststroke.

Adam Peaty took the role of the Gladiator as he visited Italy last year, but we think his arena is more impressive than the one behind him! Adam has been busy racing round the Mare Nostrum circuit, confirming his position as one of the World’s leading breaststrokers!

Italy is renowned for style and no one is more stylish around the pool deck than Swedish beauties, Sarah Sjostrom and Therese Alshammar. The ladies looked fierce in this year’s must have item, the Powerskin Carbon Flex World Championship Kazan Edition, with Sarah setting a new European Record in hers in the women’s 100m fly (56.04), as well as winning both the 50m and 100 freestyle events.

Ranomi is proud of her National Team colours, but when she hits Italy she opts for blue. Blue or azure has been adopted as a colour for many national sport teams in Italy since the arrival of the men’s football team in 1910 and we must say, Ranomi looks good in blue.

Giulio Zorzi is half Italian but living in South Africa, he hasn’t quite managed to master the language. Cameron van der Burgh torments his best friend by insisting he speaks Italian while in Rome, but to give Giulio his due, he can order pizza! Good to see our South African swimmers in Rome and congrats to Cameron on swimming his way to a new Championship record in the men’s 50m breast (27:01).

Ok, we know Greg Paltrinieri is Italian but who can resist this cheeky chap! Greg knows his pasta and swimming the 1500m free, he can definitely afford the extra calories.