Federica Pellegrini: “Matteo Giunta, the right man”

Archived the sports career, which ended in Tokyo 2020, Federica Pellegrini looks ahead, and is ready for a new life. “I’m getting close to the idea that there is no longer swimming in my life, but I’m not afraid. For me, changes have always been positive energy “, told the champion a very true (the episode will air on Sunday 19 September, ed). “It was a beautiful journey, made up of ups and downs. I enjoyed it. It was a positive release after a difficult year.

Now is the time to turn the page. “

At his side, in all that will be, the boyfriend (and now former coach) Matteo Giunta, with which she came out in the very days of Tokyo: «We didn’t want gossip to enter our world of training and fast pace. We tried to keep the figures separate ».

Intent in which they succeeded very well, very few people knew about them. «He suffered with me and has always supported me. If it hadn’t been there I would have stopped swimming many years ago. It gave me the strength to believe more in myself, ”added Pellegrini. He has faced many difficulties, above all panic attacks. «We athletes are often seen as robots who never make mistakes and are prepared for anything, but that’s not true. The Olympics brings a very high level of psychophysical stress that not everyone can handle ». Panic is an insidious enemy. “I kept them under control, even if they never completely pass. You learn to live with them and fight them, but they are always there ».

Pellegrini is not talking about future projects at the moment, but there is certainly a dream, become a mother: «Until the Olympics there was an absolute veto for various reasons, but now I think it’s the right time even if I don’t plan anything ». With Matteo at his side: «He is the best person I know».