Simone Barlaam (born 12 July 2000) is an Italian Paralympic swimmer who competes in international level events. He is a thirteen time World champion and eight time European champion.[1][2] He competed at the 2020 Summer Paralympics, winning a gold medal.[3]

Simone Barlaam
Barlaam in 2019
Personal information
NationalityItalian
Born (2000-07-12) 12 July 2000 (age 23)
Milan, Italy
Height1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Sport
Country Italy
SportParalympic swimming
DisabilityCongenital hypoplasia
Disability classS9
ClubPolha Varese
Medal record
Paralympic swimming
Representing  Italy
Event 1st 2nd 3rd
Paralympics 1 2 1
World Championships 18 2 1
European Championships 8 2 1
Total 27 6 3
Paralympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2020 Tokyo 50m freestyle S9
Silver medal – second place 2020 Tokyo 100m butterfly S9
Silver medal – second place 2020 Tokyo 4×100 m freestyle 34 pts
Bronze medal – third place 2020 Tokyo 4x100 m medley relay
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2017 Mexico City 50m freestyle S9
Gold medal – first place 2017 Mexico City 100m freestyle S9
Gold medal – first place 2019 London 50m freestyle S9
Gold medal – first place 2019 London 100m freestyle S9
Gold medal – first place 2019 London 100m backstroke S9
Gold medal – first place 2019 London 100m butterfly S9
Gold medal – first place 2019 London 4x100m freestyle relay
Gold medal – first place 2022 Madeira 100m butterfly S9
Gold medal – first place 2022 Madeira 50m freestyle S9
Gold medal – first place 2022 Madeira 100m freestyle S9
Gold medal – first place 2022 Madeira 400m freestyle S9
Gold medal – first place 2022 Madeira 100m backstroke S9
Gold medal – first place 2023 Manchester 100m butterfly S9
Gold medal – first place 2023 Manchester 50m freestyle S9
Gold medal – first place 2023 Manchester 100m freestyle S9
Gold medal – first place 2023 Manchester 400m freestyle S9
Gold medal – first place 2023 Manchester 100m backstroke S9
Silver medal – second place 2017 Mexico City 4x100m freestyle relay
Silver medal – second place 2019 London 4x100m medley relay
Bronze medal – third place 2017 Mexico City 100m backstroke S9
European Championships
Gold medal – first place 2018 Dublin 50m freestyle S9
Gold medal – first place 2018 Dublin 100m freestyle S9
Gold medal – first place 2018 Dublin 4x100m freestyle relay
Gold medal – first place 2018 Dublin 4x100m medley relay
Silver medal – second place 2018 Dublin 100m butterfly S9

Personal life edit

Barlaam was born with a coxa vara and congenital hypoplasia in his right femur which means that his right leg doesn't develop resulting in his right leg shorter than his left leg. Coxa vara was caused by doctors who performed a podalic version procedure while he was in utero but his leg broke which doctors knew nothing about. During his childhood, he went through thirteen surgeries to correct his right leg.[4]

Swimming career edit

Barlaam began Paralympic swimming when he was fifteen years old and won his first medals at the 2017 World Para Swimming Championships in Mexico City. He swims and trains with other able-bodied swimmers.[5][6][7]

References edit

  1. ^ "Simone Barlaam - IPC Profile". ipc.infostradasports.com. 7 September 2020. Archived from the original on 3 September 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  2. ^ "Italian Para swimmer Barlaam sets three world records at national meeting". www.insidethegames.biz. 17 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  3. ^ "Simone Barlaam Has Won #gold in #ParaSwimming - Men's 50m Freestyle - S9 at the ... - Latest Tweet by Tokyo Olympics 2020 | 🏆 LatestLY". LatestLY. 29 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  4. ^ "The story of Barlaam: "I'm not a Paralympic athlete but an athlete and that's it"". xsport.news. 16 September 2019.
  5. ^ "Simone Barlaam, a Fighting Fish in Search of Tokyo 2020". iItaly. 12 February 2019.
  6. ^ "Simone Barlaam, para swimmer, more world records". The Tartan. 29 September 2019.
  7. ^ "Simone Barlaam - Swimming | Paralympic Athlete Profile". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 2021-08-29.

External links edit