The 2026 European Water Sports Championships are rewriting the history of our country

We are on the roof of Europe: the Italian team is first in the medal table of the European Water Sports Championships taking place in Paris from 31 July until 16 August 2026, and makes history with 7 gold, 5 silver and 9 bronze. Of the 7 gold medals, 5 all belong to the new world diving star, Chiara Pellacani.

Incredible but true, our athletes are writing the history of water sports in our country: much is certainly due to the immense Chiara Pellacani, the first diver in history to win five gold medals in a single European Championship. But we are really getting on almost all the podiums in the competitions held so far.

Chiara Pellacani, the new diving star

We have a new star, his name is Chiara Pellacani. Incredible even to think but true: she is the first diver in history to win five gold medals in a single European Championship:

Chiara Pellacani and Matteo Santoro were already 2025 world champions in the synchronized 3 meters, managing the incredible feat of beating two trampoline giants such as Australia and China. And at these Europeans the couple confirmed themselves in the team event and again in the synchronized 3 meters. With Pellacani then winning all the other possible golds, in women’s singles and doubles.

All the successes of our country

Not just Pellacani (although a lot): our country, so far, has climbed onto almost all the podiums in the competitions held so far, from artistic swimming to open water swimming (very recent silver in the mixed relay with the timeless Gregorio Paltrinieri).

Among these we remember the feat of Ginevra Taddeucci, who managed to win the gold medal in both the women’s 10km and women’s 5km cross-country swimming.

There are still 8 days of competitions, let’s go blue men and women!

Sources: European Aquatics/Instagram / Olympics / European Aquatics