Olympic sprinter Santo Condorelli has officially begun the process of switching to Italian sporting citizenship, his father told SwimSwam on Friday. Though he formerly represented Canada internationally and was a member of the USA Swimming National Junior Team, Condorelli has Italian ancestry on his father Joseph’s side, as that side of the family is from Sicily.
To establish his change of affiliation, Condorelli will need to reside in Italy for 12 months before his first official representation. He’s already had the required year-long break since he last represented Canada since his last time representing them was in Rio.
The official FINA rule:
“GR 2.6 Any competitor or competition official changing his affiliation from one national governing body to another must have resided in the territory of and been under the jurisdiction of the latter for at least twelve months prior to his first representation for the country.”
Condorelli, whose mother is from Ontario, was one place shy of a medal as he placed 4th in the 100 free at the Rio Olympics. He swam his lifetime bests in the 50 free (21.97), 100 free (47.88), and 100 fly (51.83) at that meet. He was also a finalist as a member of Canada’s 400 free relay. In addition to his Olympic appearance, he was also a medalist in the 400 mixed medley relay and a finalist in the 100 free at the 2015 World Championships.
He first declared his intent to represent Canada internationally when he appeared on the psych sheets at the 2015 World Championship Trials.
With the switch to Italy, Condorelli should play a major role on the relays. The Italians already have a very talented squad with sprinters like Luca Dotto, who became the first Italian man ever to break 48 in 2016. Notably, Condorelli’s best time of 47.88 is already faster than Dotto’s Italian Record of 47.96, so this is a big boost for the Italians and makes them a much bigger threat for the relay podium in 2020. Condorelli is now training under Claudio Rossetto, who also coaches national teamers Dotto and Ivano Vendrame.
So far, Italy’s only Olympic relay medal was the 800 free relay bronze in 2004, but that could change with Condorelli on the roster. The Italians have also been more competitive in recent years, earning a bronze in the 200 free relay at the 2015 World Championships.
I usually dislike when people do this, but his name is Santo Condorelli, he has that Renaissance Man look, and Italy itself is gorgeous and rich in history, food, etc, so to “have” to live there is just about the greatest luxury (minus their currently seemingly-corrupt government)… Not the dumbest move I’ve seen. Honestly, congrats
Pierre was a disappointment . He has gone to Italy which now has a new younger , better looking leader. Plus Italians are still the best textile & clothing designers . I look forward to seeing which designer brand he sports .
Justin?
I am very confused. After not competing last summer I assumed he was switching national teams again, but I thought it would be back to the US. Isn’t the US 4×100 his best shot at Olympic gold? He probably would have got one in 2016 if he hadn’t switched to Canada. Instead Ryan Held got the spot. With Dressel around, I don’t see Condorelli winning any gold medals for Italy…
Show up out of nowhere? Wtf are you on about. He was part of the legendary early 2010’s group at Bolles with Murphy, Dressel, and Schooling. A big rival of Dressels in the sprint freestyles and NAG holder. He showed consistent improvement at USC, and was 48 mid low in 2015 before going 47 high in 2016.
He was 49.6 before even going to college
Perfect for him: Now he can use any of the many Italian hand gestures behind the blocks.
Dudes treating countries like a college or a club team that he can just move on from one to the next
He was incredibly good in Rio, and ho-hum the past two years….hmmmmmm
Yes exactly
Needs to go “train” with the russians again.
Well he took a year off which would explain half of his lackluster results
Mercenary!