The 19-year-old swimmer returning to Milan from the European Championship was greeted by many journalists and a lot of applause. Even the military came to congratulate her at Milan airport, as S. Curtis represents a military unit.
“All of Italy is ready to embrace its new swimming star,” wrote Gazzetta dello Sport about the swimmer who improved the world record twice in the 50 m backstroke at the European Championships.
The girl born in an Italian province to an Italian father and a Nigerian mother dreamed of becoming a hairdresser in her childhood, but swimming took over.
A few years ago she found success at the European Youth Championships, and last year she won seven medals (three in relays) at the European 25-meter Championships in Lublin.
Now in Paris, in an Olympic-size pool, S. Curtis shone with six medals and two world records.
Understand instantly
S. Curtis medals in Paris:
Gold – 50 m backstroke
Silver – 4×100 m freestyle relay
Silver – 4×100 m medley relay
Bronze – 100 m freestyle
Bronze – 4×100 m mixed freestyle relay
Bronze – 50 m freestyle
“I ate a burger and fries in our room,” said S. Curtis when asked how she celebrated her success in Paris, adding that she will now spend a few days with her boyfriend (Italian swimmer Andrea Puscesdu), and then celebrate her 20th birthday with friends.
After the world records, she was congratulated by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who called S. Curtis “the new queen of swimming.”
S. Curtis does not consider herself the new goddess: “That’s a tough comparison. Federica Pellegrini (the legendary Italian swimmer) was like that. I hope to make my name in history soon.”
Understand instantly
Meilutytė, who brought home gold, did not say “no” to further starts and explained her relationship with swimming
Jefimova, defeated by Meilutytė and left without a medal, expressed frustration over hundredths of a second
S. Curtis said she values the gold won in the 50 m backstroke the most.
“The gold medal with a world record – it was crazy,” S. Curtis was quoted by Gazzetta dello Sport. “After I first broke the record in the semifinals, I watched that race about 10,000 times. But when I stood on the block in the final, I said I wanted it again at any cost.”
The swimmer was happy that her parents also witnessed her triumph in Paris.
“My mother is sincere and very energetic, and my father, Vincenzo, is calmer. I owe everything to them. Seeing my parents’ emotions was wonderful. Their tears of joy were the best gift. My mother even predicted that I would do it. I put the medal around her neck. I dedicate this success to my grandparents as well,” said S. Curtis.
The girl preparing to return to the USA to train and study said that American swimming lessons contributed greatly to her success.
“Conditions in Virginia changed a lot: studying in college and training on the other side of the world made me much more independent and stronger,” noted S. Curtis.
