A photo of three Italian Olympic medalists has captured the attention of thousands of netizens, whose comments were not exactly focused on the shining trophies hanging from the men's necks.
The viral picture shows swimmers Nicolò Martinenghi, Thomas Ceccon, and Gregorio Paltrinieri posing shirtless with their medals.
People couldn't help but comment on the men's physical appearance, with one user describing the athletes as the "Holy Trinity."
Thomas, from Vincenza, won gold in the men's 100m backstroke at the 2024 Paris Olympics on July 29.
Nicolò, born in Varese, won gold in the 100m breaststroke.
Image credits: nicolomartinenghi
Meanwhile, Gregorio, from Carpi, took home the bronze medal in the 800m freestyle event, marking his third podium finish in three consecutive Olympic Games. The gold medal went to Irish swimmer Daniel Wiffen, while the American Bobby Fink took the silver.
"One more reason not to learn to swim and get saved," a woman commented on the viral photo, which currently has over 400,000 likes.
"In Italy, we say, 'You should be a UNESCO World Heritage Site,'" another one shared.
The triumphant photo made someone else want to pack their bags and book a flight to the Bel Paese. "I've decided I'm moving to Italy."
Image credits: ceccon_thomas
Image credits: greg_palt
"Mamma mia, what a trio!" wrote an Italian woman. "Proud of you guys. Very good, and also very good-looking."
"May Italians be eternal," a separate user exclaimed.
"Talented and also attractive, our swimming heroes," a compatriot said, while another added, "The Olympic gods are all here."
"The favorite swimmers of your favorite swimmers," wrote 23-year-old gold medalist Thomas Ceccon
Image credits: nicolomartinnenghi/greg_palt/ceccon_thomas
Reposting the photo on his Instagram stories, Thomas jokingly wrote, "The favorite swimmers of your favorite swimmers."
The 23-year-old told Rai News he had been dreaming of winning a gold medal ever since his childhood.
"When I was a kid, I used to go to training with Alberto (the coach, ed.) by car. He asked me what my dream was. I said I wanted to win the Olympics, and he said, 'Calm down, one thing at a time. ' As a kid, I knew I could win it," recalled the sportsman, nicknamed The Shark for his incredible speed and height of 1.97 meters (6.4 feet).
Thomas, from Vincenza, won gold in the men's 100m backstroke
Gregorio, from Carpi, took home the bronze medal in the 800m freestyle event
Meanwhile, Nicolò, born in Varese, made his country proud after winning gold in the 100m breaststroke
"It hadn't happened to me at the World Championships, but here, there's a race every four years; if you make a mistake, you've lost everything.
"I'm enjoying myself, but tomorrow I'll wake up knowing that I haven't done anything. Those who compete in more races don't rest."
