NEWS

2024–25 Season Recap: Time to Take Stock

About ten days ago, the post-Olympic swimming season came to an end.
Here, in brief, are my main results: in October, 7 victories in the World Cup in Asia (1 in the 100 IM, 3 in the 50 butterfly, and 3 in the 100 butterfly), second overall in the general ranking, and a short-course world record in the 50 butterfly, improved several times; in December, 3 world titles in short course at the World Championships in Budapest (50 and 100 butterfly, and 100 IM), and, above all, two more world records (21.32 in the 50 butterfly and 47.71 in the 100 butterfly); on the road to the long-course World Championships in Singapore, in addition to 7 Swiss titles in April (4 individual and 3 in relays), I also achieved several noteworthy victories in major international meets (notably, Mare Nostrum in Barcelona and Sette Colli in Rome); and finally, between late July and early August, at the long-course World Championships in Singapore, I finished in style with 2 silver medals in the 50 and 100 butterfly.
I have already spoken at length about this last competition in numerous media interviews: these were my first two medals at a long-course World Championships, after the disappointment of Fukuoka and my decision to skip the Doha 2024 Worlds to best prepare for the Paris Olympics. The times I recorded clearly improved my previous Swiss records and placed me even higher in the all-time world rankings: the 49.83 in the 100 butterfly has both symbolic and substantial value, as it allowed me to break the 50-second barrier for the first time, joining the small group of swimmers to have done so. Even though I missed the world title in the 50 butterfly by just 0.03 seconds, I am very satisfied with my races and the results achieved: twice second in the world in a truly global sport. I am aware that I can do even better, and we will work towards that goal, aiming for new and ever more ambitious targets.
This positive season, coming right after the partial disappointment of Paris (where I nonetheless achieved a fourth and a fifth place!), makes me proud of the way I reacted immediately; the results I have achieved have given me increasing confidence in my abilities and great motivation to continue along this path.
As I look forward to resuming training in early September, I would like to thank my entire team, which also includes my family, for the tremendous work done and the unity of purpose we have shown. A big and heartfelt thank you also goes to all my sponsors.
Finally, I want to warmly greet all my fans in Ticino, Switzerland, and around the world: thank you for always supporting me!