After his festival, Noè Ponti will go to see films in Locarno

The 24-year-old from Ticino made swimming history at the World Championships, which ended yesterday in Singapore. Noè Ponti became the first Swiss to reach two podiums in a world championship. Five days after winning silver in the 50m butterfly , he added to his collection of necklaces made of the same metal by taking second place in the 100m butterfly on Saturday, an event in which he was again beaten by the Frenchman Maxime Grousset.

"Of course, gold would have been better," he said. "But I think I did the job and I can be satisfied with my performance." The 100m butterfly bronze medalist at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics lowered the Swiss record in both disciplines. On Saturday, his time of 49.83 seconds made him the fifth-fastest swimmer of all time, one hundredth of a second off the time set by American legend Michael Phelps at the 2009 World Championships. By comparison, he was 91 hundredths faster in the long course when winning Olympic bronze. "My coach compared me to a shark, and I think he's right. You have to be determined to be able to fight for podiums at this level of competition."

A competition from which he will step away for a few weeks, the time to recharge, both physically and mentally. "I have already established my program," he explains. "It will begin with the Locarno Festival where I will go every evening ( editor's note: from August 6 to 16 ) to watch films. And it will continue with relaxing stays in France, then in Italy."

Where the sea and swimming pools will never be far from your beach towel.