Rachele Bruni

Rachele Bruni (born 4 November 1990) is an Italian swimmer, specialising in open water long-distance races. She won the silver medal in the 10 km marathon at the 2016 Summer Olympics. She competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics, in 10 km open water. She won the 10k in the FINA Marathon Swim World Series 3 times: in 2015, 2016 and 2019.

Biography Bruni was born in Florence.

In 2015, Bruni became the first Italian swimmer to win the FINA 10km Marathon Swimming World Series. She won it again in 2016.

At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Bruni won the silver medal in the 10 km marathon, behind Sharon van Rouwendaal. She initially finished in 3rd position, just behind world champion Aurélie Muller, but the latter was disqualified for obstructing Bruni at the finish line. She dedicated her medal to her girlfriend, Diletta Faina.

She is a 10-time gold medalist at the European Open Water Swimming Championships.

In 2019, she won for the third time the FINA Marathon Swim World Series 2019.

At the 2019 World Aquatics Championships, Bruni won the bronze medal in the 10 km and the silver medal in the 5 km team.

In January 2020, with 73.9% of the votes, she won the LEN Award in the Cross-Country category.

In November 2021, she was inducted into the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame.

Personal life Volevo solo nuotare (200.000 bracciate con Rachele Bruni), Bruni’s biography written by Luca Farinotti, was published in 2020. The book won Bancarella Selezione Sport, the most prestigious sport books prize in Italy.

Rachele Bruni was the first Italian Olympic athlete to reveal that she is gay.