Federica Pellegrini secures impressive Tokyo Olympic qualifying time in Riccione

As the 200m freestyle reigning world champion, Federica Pellegrini was already assured of her place at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

But the 32-year-old swimmer, who will compete in her fifth Games in Japan, wasn't satisfied with that.

Pellegrini wanted to prove her worth by making the Olympic qualifying time of 1:56:90.

And that's exactly what she did on Friday (2 April) at the 2021 Italian Championships in Riccione.

'La Divina' led from the off in her favoured event, clocking an impressive 56.24 for the first 100m, before touching home in 1.56.69.

Her joy was evident after the race, as she celebrated with an emotional 'five' sign, indicating that she was going to the Games.

Margherita Panziera came second almost three seconds back, while Stefania Pirozzi finished third.

Pellegrini went into the event in indifferent form, having finished second in Marseille last week.

But after easing to victory in the Italian Championships heats in 1:59.38, before going over two seconds quicker in the final, the Italian showed that she was back to her best.

"It's been a difficult few months," Pellegrini, who won her 129th Italian title, said after the race. "Yesterday I just missed the qualification by a tenth of a second, today I've done it in my event, I feel relieved."

"I'm happy with my times, they are in line with I did in the past at this time of the year. Five Olympics? That is a lot, don't make me cry again!"

The Venice native made her Olympic debut at Athens 2004, where she took home silver as a 16-year-old.

She won gold in the 200m freestyle at the Beijing 2008 Games as well the world championship title in the same event in 2009, 2011, 2017 and 2019.

She is the only swimmer in history to win eight consecutive world championships medals in the same event.