“Over the years I have learnt a lesson: it’s not the times that matter, but the metal, the medals”. That was his comment to the world bronze won in the Italian relay race in 2015. Coming second in the 50m freestyle in 2011, he is known as the ‘Gunslinger’ of swimming, and in Brazil, he’s ready for the 100m freestyle and the relay. The young man from the Veneto started swimming at the age of four, partly out of pride: a little girl in his swimming class had taken off her water wings and he would not be outdone. After all, the word “acqua” (water), is tattooed on his skin. The 26 year old lends his body to various publicity campaigns which he fits in with his studies in International Corporate Economy – Sports Economy and Policies. Instead, whenever he can, he relaxes in front of the TV to watch X Factor. Rio is his “obsession”: it will be his “payback”, after the disappointment in the London 2012 Games, conditioned by a serious injury suffered during training.