The presence of top-class athletes with important achievements in major events will be a substantial boost for the Open Water Swimming competition to take place on Thursday and Friday, August 29th and 30th, in the “Hera” Venue.
One of the favorites for a medal in this Olympic discipline events is Italian Marcello GUIDI, who was 17th in the 5 km race a month ago in the World Championships in Guangzhou, Korea, and 5th in ast year’s European Championships in Glasgow. GUIDI hails from Sardinia and is a student in Economics.
He will battle for a medal against his fellow Italian Andrea MANZI, while the Portuguese duo of Tiago Filipe CARVALHO DE CAMPOS και ο Rafael LOURENÇO GIL is expected to provide strong competition. Four years ago in Pescara, MANZI had captured the silver medal, followed by Greek swimmer Georgios ARNIAKOS, also present in Patras.
“Our aim is a medal, especially in the Mixed event. We love what we do and give our best every time. My father Tasos ARNIAKOS is a meteorologist and always helps me with the weather forecast in order for me to be better prepared,” ARNIAKOS said.
And his teammate Dimitrios MANIOS added: “It is the first time I have been in these Games and I am happy to be here. We will try to win medals in both the Men’s and Mixed events, hoping weather is on our side.”
On the Women’s race, Greek swimmer Styliani Eleftheria APLANTI commented: “It will be a strong contest, and we will try our best together with Angeliki ZAMARIA and Evgenia PETROPOULOU. Italy and Portugal have strong teams, but we believe in ourselves too.”
The start signal for the Women’s 5 km race will be given at 09:00, with 12 athletes participating.
One hour later (10:00) will start the Men’s 5 km race with 15 participants.
On Friday five teams will line up for the Mixed event, beginning at 10:30.