Quadarella, Interview: “Me, the records, Pilate, the single life”

Simona Quadarella never gets out. He has the calm of the forts, and when he swims he releases poison (as per mother of mom) to rivals. Stability and serenity are the distinctive features of his character and the secret of his continuity: since 2017 there are no worlds without at least one of his medals, he only knows how to win at the European Championships.

Simona, the best way to forget the two quarters of Paris Olympic places were silver in the 1500 and 2 European records at the World Cup?

“I didn’t expect these results, also because I had changed coach (from Christian Minotti to Gianluca Belfiore, editor’s note) and I didn’t know if what I was doing was doing well or not. Instead in Singapore I had good answers. Now I am more peaceful”.

The new season is only European: will it take back?

“Already in December there are the European tank European Championships, in the summer there are the Europeans of a long tank. 2026 is a fairly quite quiet year, but I will always try to keep the level high, to find good motivations in view of the Los Angeles games”.

Improve its records at almost 27 years (was born on December 18, 1998 as Paola Egonu), is surprising and also more difficult. How did he become European record holder in the 800 and 1500?

“I understood that you can, just as I competed. I did not think of these progress but I have a completely different awareness: they are times and records that I hope they are solid enough. And this awareness I want to bring it in the future”.

A particular emotion of Singapore?

“The race itself: I enjoyed the 1500s and everything else. I was very pleased to return to that podium”.

Where does it go on vacation?

“In Saudi Arabia, then in Livorno by my friend Sara Franceschi to whom I am very tied, in Sicily with my and Ibiza. I rested well …”.

Single life was another turning point.

“I’m fine, I’m independent: I really like it.”

In Europe it has more golds than Federica Pellegrini: 8-7.

“I gladly remember the triplets.”

He entered the national team ten years ago, now he is a leader and a strong point: what differences notes?

“When I entered 2015 there were many much larger swimmers, I was the smallest that had to make their way. Now it is the opposite, they are among the veterans and there is a great replacement. There are many young people who learn from us and we young people can ask to keep the lightness of the group high”.

How did Benedetta Pilate welcomed in Rome?

“I am happy that Benny came to swim from us in Aquaniene, I am sure he will feel good.”

Are today’s girls over the top? And does it depend on social networks, on the desire to be star, on the context?

“Everyone has their own path, the times also changed, I arrived 10 years ago in the national team and it was also very different as swimming was perceived from outside. We have to remodel a little everything.”

Did Benny ask her for advice after the case that saw her involved in Singapore with Chiara Tarantino?

“If we need we talk, she has people around her well and knows who to ask for help. I am also a friend of Chiara Tarantino and I don’t want to enter the story”.

“At the Aniene there is a nice environment. Having another like her can help everyone, especially the youngest, who can take advice from me, from her, from Marco De Tullio”.

Swimming does not seem a less trendy sport than volleyball, tennis and athletics: why?

“There is a generational change, young people need time to grow, mature and understand how it works, for this we do not take many medals, but we are a beautiful national team”.

His career has always been linear: does it depend on his balanced character?

“I’m quite proud of not having had great crises, it is important to be able to be linear and constant, even not to throw too much down. Every year I face the protagonist situations. It is a fundamental thing that my former coach Minotti also taught me: today we win, but tomorrow I head down and work. It is very important to resist. And Singapore, he left me beyond the medal and records, so much confidence”.

You have changed something in her methods, will she repeat experiments such as the Camp close to the big event?

“I will stay on the same line, we will make our decisions on what to do to the 2028 Olympics: we will have to calibrate our strength in the three -year period also because the level will get up more and more. And already this year we have seen how high it is”.

What do you need and/or is missing?

“You need training, stimuli. Doing the same things does not help motivations. I wanted to get out of comfort zone, in the long run always do the same things does not help the body. Now I know that the hill is good for me.”

At Euro 2026 there will be the revenge on the German Gose, who blew the Olympic medal in the 1500s?

“I have always done the European Championships, I have already beaten Gose too.”

Before retiring, will we see you touch the wall in front of Katie Ledecky?

“Maybe, for now it’s unbeatable.”

The study served to forget the games.

“I think I graduate in communication in March”.

Is it easy to manage the study too?

“As I said, the balance is my strong, I manage in a simple way. Who expected 2 European records?”.

What did the technician told you in the first training?

“Gianluca was very proud of me.”