Nicolai and Lupo part of history: their silver medal is the 1st Italian medal in the Beach Volley
Last night Rio gave the Italian beach volleyball, a historic medal, the first Olympic won by the Italian team since 20 years ago, when this discipline was introduced to the games (Atlanta 1996). Paolo Nicolai and Daniele Lupo were the stars of this beautiful page of the Italian sport history who were able to win the silver medal, the 24th for the Italian Team in Rio 2016, after a final against the Brazilians Alison Cerutti and Bruno Schmidt - masters of the house at the Arena Copacabana - and against the odds (in the previous 8 events, the Brazilian team won 5 times).
The two Italians, however, were not intimidated either by opponents, among the strongest in the world scene with nine victories in the World Tour and the success in the World Championships played last year in the Netherlands, nor by the public, deployed (inevitably) in favour of their players and eager to win the most coveted medal, probably second only to that which seeks the Seleçao in football.
The two athletes of Matteo Varnier, however, have played the most important game of their career point by point, until the end of a match staged in the pouring rain. Against the 'Mammoth' (Alison's nickname) and Bruno Schmidt, the nephew of the Brazilian basketball legend Oscar Schmidt, they have not suffered from awe. In the end they succumbed 2-0 (21-19, 21-17). The score, however, does not diminish a challenge written on the wet sand of Copacabana, but that will remain indelible in the history of Italian sport."
Viviani falls but goes on to claim gold in the men's omnium. It is the 23rd medal for Italy
Elia Viviani falls but goes on to claim gold in the omnium at Rio 2016. The Italian cyclist finished on 207 points, at the end of the six events, ahead of Britain's Cavendish (194) and the Dane Hansen (192), Olympic champion from London 2012.
The Italian athlete, who at the end of the first three races held yesterday was in second position with 104 points (scratch race 28; individual pursuit 36; elimination race 40), this morning moved into the lead of the overall standings with 140 points, thanks to 3rd place in time trial (1:02:338).
We have to go back to Sydney 2000 for the last podium finishes on the track, Antonella Bellutti (gold in the points race), Marco Villa and Silvio Martinello (bronze in the men's madison), with the latter also the last male gold medal winner in Atlanta 1996. This is the 23rd medal (8 golds, 9 silvers, 6 bronzes) for Italy at the 31st edition of the Summer Olympics, the second in cycling, after Elisa Longo Borghini's bronze in the women's road race.
With six days of the Games to go, the Italian team has already equalled the number of gold and silver medals won at Beijing 2008 (8 golds, 9 silvers and 10 bronzes) and London 2012 (8 golds, 9 silvers and 11 bronzes).
Rachele Bruni silver in the Marathon Swimming Women's 10km. The 22nd medal for the Italian Team at the Olympics
Amazing Rachele Bruni, in the waters of Fort Copacabana, touches home in third place in the final of the 10 km open water swimming event. The Italian athlete stops the clock at 1h56:49.5 behind Dutchwoman Van Rouwendal 1h56:32.1 and France’s Muller (1:56:48.7). Bruni appears to claim the bronze medal, but the jury disqualifies Muller and Italy is awarded silver. An even more prestigious medal than the one won four years ago in London, in the same speciality, by Martina Grimaldi: the first Italian medallist in open water swimming. The 22nd medal for the Italian Team at the Olympics. Well done Rachele!
Rio 2016 just like London 2012, Campriani repeats gold in the 50m rifle 3 positions men
Rio 2016 just like London 2012, as long as there is Niccolò Campriani in the shooting range. Sure enough the Italian athlete has repeated the gold won four years ago in the 50 m rifle 3 positions men by beating Russia's Kamenskiy 458.8 (an Olympic record for the final) to 458.5 in a thrilling final. The man from Tuscany joins the exclusive club of Italian athletes who have won at least three Olympic gold medals: two in a week taking into account the one won on Monday in the 10 m air rifle (whereas in London he got silver). It is the 19th medal in Rio for Italy (7 gold, 7 silver, 5 bronze).
Silver for the Italian épée team. Italy's medal count in Rio rises to 21
Italian fencing waves goodbye to Rio 2016 with silver for the men's épée team. Bringing home the medals are the four Italian musketeers - Marco Fichera, Enrico Garozzo, Paolo Pizzo and Andrea Santarelli - who only fold to France 45-30.
This is the fourth fencing medal won by Italy in Brazil, after Daniele Garozzo's gold in the men's individual foil, silver for Elisa Di Francisca in the women's individual foil and silver again for Rossella Fiamingo in the women's individual épée.
Italy's medal haul sits at 21: 7 gold, 8 silver and 6 bronze.
Bronze for Cagnotto in the 3 m, 36 years after her father Giorgio. It is the 20th medal for the Italian Team
One of a kind. Tania Cagnotto has managed to win an Olympic medal in the 3 metre springboard diving event on her fifth attempt. She matches her father Giorgio's bronze from Moscow 1980. Thirty-six years later, Italy is back on the podium in this event with another Cagnotto just behind China's Shi (406.05) and He (387.90), thanks to the last dive: 81 points, pulling away from Canada's Abel and allowing her to finish on 372.80.
A fitting end for the Italian diver, obtained in her fourth Olympic final, after Athens 2004 (eighth), Beijing 2008 (fifth) and London 2012 (fourth). The medals comes a week after winning silver in the synchro event with Francesca Dallape. It is the 20th medal for Italy at Rio 2016. A perfect round figure, like Tania's career.
Paltrinieri prevails, Detti comes 3rd: Italy rules the waves in the 1500m!
At the Olympic Aquatics Stadium, Italy's swimming competition ends on a high note: Gregorio Paltrinieri is Olympic champion in the 1500m. The 21-year- old from Carpi was the clear favourite and 'Greg', World Champion in the event in Kazan in 2015, lived up to expectations by dominating rivals such as the American Jaeger - runner up at the worlds, second once again (14:39.48) - and the Australian Horton (only 5th) and providing the Italian Team with its first swimming gold of Rio 2016, the sixth gold of the 18 medals won by Italian athletes in Brazil.
But tonight the real challenger was China's Sun Yang, or rather, his absence, as he did not qualify for the final, the swimmer from Carpi was actually inside his world record for most of the race but eventually finished in 14:34.57. It is of little importance, Gabriele Detti's great bronze in 14:40.86 just added to Italy's celebrations. Tonight the 1500m belongs to Italy.
Gabriele Rossetti claims gold in the skeet 24 years after his dad, Bruno, won bronze
Like father like son. Twenty-four years after his dad Bruno, Gabriel Rossetti wins an Olympic medal in skeet for Italy. A worthy heir of his father, bronze in Barcelona92, however the Italian athlete claimed the most precious metal of all: gold. Top spot on the podium, at only 21, beating Sweden's Svensson in a perfect final (16 to 15). This is the 16th medal at Rio 2016 for the Italian Team, the fifth gold medal and fifth medal from target shooting, the third in the skeet after Diana Bacosi's gold and Chiara Cainero's silver.
The mayor of Rio, Paes, visits the Italian Olympic village. "Rome 2024 has a great chance"
A special guest at the Italian Olympic village. The mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes, visited the headquarters of the Italian team in Brazil, congratulating them on the organisation and the welcome received, before expressing his personal views on Rome's candidacy for the 2024 Games.
"Rome is the city where all citizens of the world feel at home. I think that Rome has a great chance to be awarded the 2024 Games. It's doing a great job with its candidacy. The games mean change and it is an opportunity to make the most of".
Amazing Italy! Bacosi gold and Cainero silver in an all-Italian final in the women's skeet
The women's skeet at Rio 2016 is an all-Italian affair. The gold medal match is actually a very private matter between Diana Bacosi and Chiara Cainero. At the end of the last series of shots, it was the former who prevailed imposing herself on her compatriot with 15 direct hits to 14. However, it was the Italian team that truly won as the gold and silver increase the Italian medal collection to 15 (4 gold, 7 silver and 4 bronze).
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