Antonella Valentini

At 13 years and 304 days, Antonella Valentini was the youngest Italian competitor at the 1972 Munchen Olympics. Leading up to the Games she won Italian girl’s titles at 100, 200, 400, and 800 freestyle, and 100 and 200 butterfly. At the Games, however, she was entered only in the 800, but failed to progress beyond the first round.

In the years when Italian swimming was dominated by Novella Calligaris, Valentini never won an individual Italian title; the closest she came was two runners-up (1974-75), and a third (1972) in the 800 metres. Valentini’s career was a brief one and, after enjoying her best season as a junior in 1975, she made her last appearance on the senior Italian team at the European Cup in Leeds that year, where Italy finished in last place.