Paltrinieri pursued higher education in Political Science at LUISS Guido Carli University in Rome. Alongside his academic achievements, he is also a police athlete, balancing his career with his passion for swimming.

Training and Coaching

Paltrinieri trains in Ostia, Italy, under the guidance of coach Fabrizio Antonelli since 2020. He represents the clubs GS Fiamme Oro and Coopernuoto. His rigorous training regime has been pivotal in his success on the international stage.

Achievements and Injuries

One of Paltrinieri's most memorable achievements is winning gold in the 1500m freestyle at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. He also secured a silver medal in the 800m freestyle and a bronze in the 10km open water event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Despite his successes, Paltrinieri has faced challenges. He was affected by mononucleosis in mid-2021, which led him to reduce training and skip the 2021 Sette Colli event. In 2019, he sustained a hyper-extension to his right elbow during the US National Open Water Championships.

Influences and Interests

Coach Stefano Morini has been the most influential person in Paltrinieri's career. He idolises Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe and US basketball legends Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. His hobbies include watching NBA basketball, architecture, design, and going to the beach.

Philosophy and Rituals

Paltrinieri believes that competitive malice is part of the game but stresses fairness and respect for teammates and opponents. He has a unique ritual of listening to a mix of hip hop, rap, and R&B music before workouts to relax and energise himself.

Open Water Swimming

After his gold medal win in Rio, Paltrinieri decided to add open water swimming to his competitive schedule ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. Inspired by Tunisian swimmer Oussama Mellouli, he finds open water swimming intriguing due to its unpredictability and strategic challenges.

Future Ambitions

Looking ahead to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Paltrinieri aims to win three gold medals. He aspires to become the first swimmer to win gold in both pool and open water events at the same edition of the Olympic Games.

Published Work

In 2017, Paltrinieri published an autobiography titled 'Il Peso Dell'Acqua' (The Weight of Water), offering insights into his life and career.

Gregorio Paltrinieri continues to be a prominent figure in swimming, with a blend of experience, dedication, and ambition driving him towards future successes.