Pope Francis Visit Preludes Fast Swimming At Sette Colli

Full recap from day two finals at the 2017 Sette Colli in Rome, Italy. Some of the best swimmers in the world visited Pope Francis before the finals and David Verraszto and Daiya Seto swam 4:07 in the 400 meter individual medley.

Jun 24, 2017 by Maclin Simpson

Pope Francis Visit Preludes Fast Swimming At Sette Colli

2017 Sette Colli

June 23 - June 25
Rome, Italy
Stadio del Nuoto
LIVE RESULTS

Pope Francis has inspired the world's best swimmers to fast racing on night two of the 54th Sette Colli Meet in Rome.

On today's visit to The Vatican, swimming stars Federica Pellegrini, Gregoria Paltrinieri, Chad le Clos, Ranomi Kromowidjojo, and James Magnussen were amongst the select audience to receive a speech from Pope Francis in the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace.

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Paltrinieri (ITA) then kicked off the evening with a blazing start-to-finish win in the men's 1500m freestyle, eclipsing the meet record in 14:49.06 -- third fastest performance in the world this year -- and setting the hometown crowd alight. Sporting a beard and all, Paltrinieri looks set to defend his World and Olympic crowns next month in Budapest, and take a shot at Sun Yang's 14:31.02 world record.

In the following event, the Italian women carried the home crowd advantage and went 1-2 in the 100m butterfly. Ilaria Bianchi touched out Di Loddo 57.89 to 58.05, with Liliana Szilagyi (HUN) third in 58.48.

Chad le Clos (RSA) tried to lead start-to-finish in the men's 200m butterfly before being chased down in the last 50m by Olympic bronze medallist Tamas Kenderesi (HUN). Le Clos, out of lane one, led out in a blistering 53.86, dragging out Kenderesi next to him, to both swam season bests and break the meet record in 1:54.33 and 1:54.87.

In a great sign before a home World Championships in Budapest, Hungary's David Verraszto produced a highlight of the night, smashing the meet record to swim a huge 2.5 second best time and defeat Olympic Bronze medallist Daiya Seto (JPN) in the men's 400m IM. Verraszto lead from the backstroke onwards splitting 57.1/1.03.4/1.09.6/57.6 to set a new world leading time of 4:07.57, ahead of Seto's 4:07.99. That is a great back up second race for Seto behind his 1:56 200m fly just moments earlier.

Adam Peaty (GBR) was his usual almost-world record best tonight, winning the men's 50m breaststroke in meet record time in 26.61 just off his own WR of 26.42. Joao Gomes Junior was also sub 27 tonight, with a 26.95 and Junior World Record holder Nicolo Martinenghi on a 27.03. With former world record holder Cameron van der Burgh swimming 26.9's last week on the Mare Nostrum tour, expect this mark to be taken down in Budapest by one of these four men.

Netherlands' Ranomi Kromowidjojo swam another season best to continue her race preparation for Budapest. Improving each time after last week's Mare Nostrum, Kromo won in 53.07 holding off a bunch of Olympic stars in Pernille Blume (DEN) 53.59, Michelle Coleman (SWE) 53.64, Femke Heemskerk (NED) 54.00, Charlotte Bonnet (FRA) 54.36 and Federica Pellegrini (ITA) 54.48.

Other Winners on Night Two...

Tae Hwan Park (KOR) -- Men's 200m Freestyle -- 1:46.89
Boglarka Kapas (HUN) -- Women's 800m Freestyle -- 8:23.71
Simona Baumrtova (CZE) -- Women's 100m Backstroke -- 1:00.21
Christian Diener (GER) -- Men's 100m Backstroke -- 54.54
Hannah Miley (GBR) -- Women's 400m IM -- 4:36.28
Sarah Vasey (GBR) -- Women's 50m Breaststroke -- 30.73

Sette Colli continues tomorrow with the third and final day featuring action in the men's & women's 200m backstroke, 200m breaststroke, 200m IM, women's 50m freestyle and 200m butterfly and men's 100m freestyle and 50m butterfly, and the new Olympic event -- the men's 800m freestyle.
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