While more European swimmers are choosing to pursue college swimming in the United States through the NCAA route, one of Italy’s most promising young talents does not currently see the U.S. as a part of her future. Alessandra Mao, a 15-year-old Italian junior record holder in both the women’s 100m and 200m freestyle, was directly asked about her college plans during an episode of the Italian Swimming Federation’s podcast, Camera di Chiamata, hosted by former world champion Luca Dotto. Mao made it clear that studying and competing abroad was not something she had seriously considered. One of the primary reasons she has not explored the American system is the language barrier. She explained that her English proficiency is not at the level she feels comfortable with to make such a major life change. For now, she sees her future in Italy, where she can continue training with her family nearby and in a familiar environment.
Mao’s recent performances have been nothing short of impressive, particularly in the 200m freestyle. At the 2025 Italian Championships, she surprised many by taking the title at just 14 years old. That summer, she further improved her personal best with a time of 1:57.00, earning her bronze at the World Junior Championships in Otopeni. The race was a tightly contested one, with China’s Yang Peiqi winning in a Championship Record of 1:56.25 and American Rylee Erisman taking silver in 1:56.76. Mao’s time secured her third place, and she showcased her explosive finishing ability by clocking 29.93 and 29.33 over the final two lengths. Her performance brought her within just a few seconds of Federica Pellegrini’s national record of 1:52.98, which still stands as the Italian standard.
A Major Breakthrough
The improvement of nearly two seconds in such a short span marked a major breakthrough for Mao. Her 1:57.00 not only made her the second-fastest Italian female in the event but also established new junior and age-group records. These achievements have positioned her as a standout in European junior swimming and raised expectations for her future. While she is still quite young, her rapid progression has already placed her among Italy’s most exciting talents.
Mao continued to add to her impressive résumé at the 2026 European Junior Championships in Munich, where she dominated the women’s 100m freestyle in 54.28 seconds. This time broke the Italian junior record of 54.40, a mark set by Pellegrini in 2004. Entering the final 50 meters, Mao was trailing the leader, Kira Manokhina, by 0.67 seconds at the 50-meter turn. Manokhina took silver in 54.37, while Great Britain’s Emma Wood rounded out the top three in 54.61. Mao’s ability to close the gap in the final lap demonstrated her growing technical and mental strength.
Relay Success in Munich
In addition to her individual success in the 100m freestyle, Mao helped Italy secure gold in the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay and the mixed 4x100m medley relay at the Munich championships. Her contributions to the relay teams were crucial, and she also returned with two silver medals and one bronze. These experiences against top-level competitors are helping her gain valuable confidence and experience.
Despite her rapid rise and early success, Mao did not focus on records or medals when talking about her passion for swimming during the podcast. For her, the pool is a place where she can temporarily escape the stresses and pressures of everyday life. Whether she is dealing with school difficulties, family issues, or disagreements with friends, the water allows her to reset and refocus. She described this mental clarity as essential to her training and performance, and it helps her approach races with a calm and focused mindset.
Finding Focus in the Water
This need for quiet and concentration before major events is something Mao emphasized during the interview. She noted that being in the water creates a kind of bubble where outside distractions fade away, allowing her to give her full attention to her own race. This ability to mentally prepare is something she values highly, and it is a key part of her approach to competition. For now, Mao remains committed to continuing her development in Italy with Team Veneto. While it is true that she is still several years away from making a definitive college decision, she has no plans to move abroad at this time. Her current focus is on staying close to her family and building her skills in a supportive and familiar environment. As she continues to grow as an athlete, her perspective on her future path may evolve—but for the moment, the pool remains her sanctuary.