Filippo Magnini

• Team: Italy
• Sport: Swimming

• Date of birth: 02-Jan-1982
• Discipline: Freestyle

Biography

Filippo took up swimming during one of his summer holidays and immediately demonstrated that he had an aptitude for the sport. He went on to win numerous regional swimming titles and became something of a local celebrity.

Filippo initially focussed on the breaststroke events and won his first national category prizes in this event at the age of 16. However, at 18 years of age he realised his true potential in the freestyle events.

In a move to Turin in 2001, Filippo started training under Claudio Rossetti. He developed a great relationship with Rossetti and alongside his innate talent he began his ascent in to the ranks of the Italian swimming team.

In 2004, Filippo, "Pippo" or "Superpippo", won a succession of Italian titles as well as European titles and also competed in the Athens Olympic Games, where he helped the 4x200 Freestyle Relay team to an historic bronze medal.

In the September of 2004, he left Turin to join the Rome swimming club Laurus Nuoto. Almost immediately, he went on win a European award, followed by 4 national titles. In 2005 he became World Champion in the 100m Freestyle with a formidable swim of 48.12 seconds, earning himself a definitive place among the all time swimming greats.

Although swimming takes up the large part of his day, Filippo manages to find time to study - he is enrolled in the Facoltà di Scienze Motorie of the Università di Urbino. His other hobbies include going to the cinema and listening to pop and rock music.

Records Held

European

4x200 Free Relay (L/C), 6:59.08

Italian

100m Freestyle (L/C), 48.11

4x100m Free Relay (L/C), 3:11.48

4x200m Free Relay (L/C), 7:05.35

4x100m Medley Relay (L/C), 3:34.32

100m Freestyle (S/C), 46.52

200m Freestyle (S/C), 1:42.54

4x50m Medley Relay (S/C), 1:35.20

4x100m Free Relay (S/C), 3:10.74

4x200m Free Relay (S/C), 6:59.08

Achievements

The first Italian to win World Championship gold, in the 100m Freestyle.