The swimmer, silver medalist in the 1,500 at the World Championships in Singapore: “I stepped out of my comfort zone and I’m proud of my consistency. Finish ahead of Ledecky? Maybe, but at the moment she’s unbeatable. The Singapore incident? I don’t want to get involved, I’m also friends with Chiara. But Benny knows that if she needs me, I’m there.”

Simona Quadarella never loses her patience. She has the calmness of the strong, and when she swims, she unleashes Veleno (her mother’s nickname) on her rivals. Stability and serenity are the hallmarks of her character and the secret to her consistency: since 2017, there hasn’t been a World Championship without at least one medal for her, and at the European Championships, she only knows how to win. Simona, was the silver in the 1500 and the two European records at the World Championships the best way to forget the two fourth places at the Paris Olympics?

“I didn’t expect these results, partly because I had changed coaches (from Christian Minotti to Gianluca Belfiore, ed.) and I wasn’t sure if what I was doing was right or not. Instead, I got good feedback in Singapore. Now I’m more relaxed.”

The new season is only European: will you get a breather?

“The European Short Course Championships are already in December, and the European Long Course Championships are in the summer. 2026 is a fairly quiet year, but I will always try to keep my level high to find good motivation ahead of the Los Angeles Games.”

Improving your records at almost 27 years of age (she was born on December 18, 1998 as Paola Egonu) is surprising and even more difficult. How did you become the European record holder in the 800 and 1500?

“I realized it was possible while I was competing. I wasn’t thinking about this progress, but I have a completely different awareness: these are times and records that I hope are solid enough. And I want to carry this awareness with me into the future.“

Any special emotions in Singapore?

”The race itself: I enjoyed the 1500 and everything else. I was very happy to be back on that podium.“

Where did you go on vacation?

”To Saudi Arabia, then to Livorno to visit my friend Sara Franceschi, whom I am very close to, to Sicily with my family, and to Ibiza. I rested well…”

Single life has been another turning point.

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

In Europe, she has more gold medals than Federica Pellegrini: 8-7.

“I have fond memories of the hat tricks.”

You joined the national team ten years ago, now you are a leader and a strong point: what differences do you notice?

“When I joined in 2015, there were many much older swimmers, I was the youngest and had to make my way. Now it’s the opposite, I’m one of the veterans and there’s a great turnover. There are lots of young people learning from us, and we can ask the young people to keep the group’s spirit lighthearted.“

How did you welcome Benedetta Pilato to Rome?

”I’m happy that Benny came to swim with us at Aquaniene. I’m sure she’ll enjoy it.”

Are today’s girls over the top? Does it depend on social media, the desire to be a star, the context?

“Everyone has their own path, times have also changed. I joined the national team 10 years ago, and the way swimming was perceived from the outside was also very different. Everything needs to be reshaped a little.“

Did Benny ask you for advice after the incident involving her and Chiara Tarantino in Singapore?

”If she needs to talk, she has people around her who love her and she knows who to ask for help. I’m also friends with Chiara Tarantino and I don’t want to get involved in the matter.”

Will Rome help Benny?

“There’s a great atmosphere at Aniene. Having someone like her can help everyone, especially the younger ones, who can take advice from me, from her, from Marco De Tullio.”

Swimming doesn’t seem to be as popular a sport as volleyball, tennis, and athletics. Why is that?

“There’s a generational change going on. Young people need time to grow, mature, and understand how it works. That’s why we don’t win a lot of medals, but we’re a great national team.”

Your career has always been linear: is that because of your balanced character?

“I’m quite proud that I haven’t had any major crises. It’s important to be linear and consistent, also so as not to get too down on yourself. Every year I face situations as a protagonist. It’s a fundamental thing that my former coach Minotti taught me: today we win, but tomorrow we keep our heads down and work. It’s very important to persevere. And Singapore, in addition to the medal and the records, gave me a lot of confidence.”

Have you changed anything in your methods? Will you repeat experiments such as the camp just before the big event?

“I will stay on the same path. We will make our decisions about what to do for the 2028 Olympics. We will need to calibrate our efforts over the three-year period, partly because the level will continue to rise. We have already seen how high it is this year.”

What do you need and/or lack?

“We need training and stimulation. Doing the same things doesn’t help with motivation. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone; in the long run, always doing the same things doesn’t help the body. Now I know that altitude training is good for me.“

Will Euro 2026 be your chance for revenge against Germany’s Gose, who snatched the Olympic medal from you in the 1500m?

”I’ve always done well at the European Championships, and I’ve already beaten Gose.”

Before you retire, will we see you touch the wall ahead of Katie Ledecky?

“Maybe, but for now she’s unbeatable.”

Did studying help you forget about the Games?

“I think I’ll graduate with a degree in Communication in March.”

Is it easy for you to manage your studies as well?

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

What did your coach say to you during your first training session?

“Gianluca was very proud of me.”