Thomas Ceccon criticized Team USA for not being welcoming enough and even being internally criticized by legendary swimmer Michael Phelps at this year’s World Championships. Ceccon was also in contention throughout the World Cup series this year, consistently reaching finals and showcasing his prowess in the pool.
The Italian swimmer holds the long-course 100m backstroke and the short-course 4×100m freestyle relay world records, winning gold in the former event at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Thomas Ceccon Makes Feelings Known About Team USA Not Being as Welcoming
Ceccon, the Italian swimmer who has been establishing his dominance since winning the Youth Olympic titles in 2018, achieved a couple of podium finishes at the 2025 World Championships in Singapore. He added the 100m backstroke silver, 50m butterfly bronze, and men’s 4x100m freestyle relay silver to his decorated resume.
While he enjoys the taste of success, he relishes it even more when it comes from outlasting U.S. swimmers. Team USA topped the medal table at the Paris Games as well but faced tougher gold-medal races, as more nations such as Australia, China, and Great Britain are emerging as viable threats.
In a conversation with Italian publication La Stampa, Ceccon said that the U.S. swimmers have not particularly been amenable and get annoyed when they lose, instead of displaying sportsmanship. He also mentioned an instance at the World Championships when they got reprimanded by Phelps.
The Italian said:
“They’re not exactly the nicest people. At the last World Championships, they even got a dressing down from the great Phelps himself. They’re used to winning, and if they don’t, they get annoyed, but when they perform well, it’s because they’re good, and I know that.”
Phelps noted that Team USA’s performance had drastically declined, winning just 44 percent of the medals they competed for at the 2024 Summer Games. He also lambasted the leadership responsible for managing the athletes.
Ceccon Makes Feelings Known About Updated LA Olympics Schedule
Ceccon debuted at the Games in Tokyo 2021, achieving two podium finishes: a silver in the 4x100m freestyle relay and bronze in the 4×100m medley relay. He continued his success in Paris 2024, winning gold in the 100m backstroke.
At the 2028 LA Olympics, the 24-year-old will be a driving force again, participating in events across nine days, according to the updated schedule.
In an interview with La Stampa, he addressed this and noted that the schedule has the 50m butterfly final before the 100m backstroke semifinal, a pairing he feels he can tackle and, in a way, use to get to know himself better.
The Italian won the 100m backstroke title at the 2022 World Championships and accomplished the feat at the European Championships as well.
