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Italy swimmer Thomas Ceccon is gaining a huge fanbase at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Ceccon helped Team Italy win the bronze at the men’s 4×100-meter freestyle relay on July 27, then won gold in the men’s 100-meter backstroke event a couple of days later. However, fans can’t seem to stop talking about something else — his abs.
The internet started to buzz after Ceccon unintentionally lifted his shirt during the medal ceremony at the mens’ 4×100-meter freestyle relay on July 27. While celebrating with his teammates, Ceccon raised his hands in the air to reveal his well-cut abs.
“What a man,” someone penned on X.
Another wrote, “I’m not one for being swayed by the beauty of men or women. But, then, there’s Italian gold medallist swimmer Thomas Ceccon.”
A third added, “That italian olympic swimmer thomas ceccon is moving me.”
In a interview with Italian network Rai Italia published on July 30, 2024, Ceccon shared that he’s “excited to be on the podium” and that at the Summer Games, “there’s race every four years. If you make a mistake, you lose everything.”
Despite his good looks, there’s a lot more to Ceccon than meets the eye. Read on to learn about the 23-year-old Olympic swimmer.
Thomas Ceccon always knew he wanted to win an Olympic gold medal
After taking home his first gold medal at the Paris Olympics, Ceccon opened up about his childhood dreams in the July 2024 interview with Rai Italia.
“When I was a kid I used to go to training with Alberto (the coach). He asked me what my dream was, I said to win the Olympics and he said ‘Easy, one thing at a time.’ From when I was a child I knew I could win it,” he said.
Thomas Ceccon’s family has a background in athletics
Italian newspaper Il Messaggero reports that Ceccon’s parents were also involved with sports. His mother, Gioia, is an Italian champion in skating, and his father, Loris Ceccon, was a pentathlete in the army, according to the outlet.
Ceccon also used to swim with his brother, Efrem, when they were younger, according to Il Messaggero.
Thomas Ceccon chose between swimming and tennis
In an interview with World Aquatics published in December 2022, Ceccon spoke about his humble beginnings and said at one point, he decided between being a tennis player and a swimmer.
“Honestly, I used to play tennis and swimming at the same time,” he explained, per World Aquatics’ video. “I obviously, I liked doing both, especially with my brother. However, arrived at some point, I had to choose what to do, swimming or tennis, but ultimately, I’ve always liked swimming. I have always enjoyed staying in the water with my brother. So finally my parents chose I should continue swimming.”
Thomas Ceccon’s nickname is ‘the shark’
Due to his impressive swimming skills, Ceccon gained the nickname “the shark.” According to Il Messaggero, he’s called this because of his fast speed in the water, his height (over six feet) and his determination to win games.
Thomas Ceccon first competed in the Olympics at Tokyo
Ceccon made his Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which were held in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. There, he helped Team Italy win a silver medal in the men’s 4×100-meter freestyle relay, and bronze in the men’s 4×100-meter medley relay.
While he placed fourth in the 100-meter backstroke at the Tokyo Games, in 2022, Ceccon won the 100-meter backstroke world title and set a new world record at the world championships in Budapest.
