Following Summer Breakthrough, Thomas Ceccon Has Additional Option in 200 Backstroke
Through the years, Thomas Ceccon has excelled across multiple events. Of course, he is best known for his prowess in the 100-meter backstroke, where he’s the reigning Olympic champion, a multi-time medalist at the World Championships and the world-record holder. But Ceccon has also made international-podium appearances in the 50 butterfly and 50 backstroke, and as a key member of Italian relays. He’s even been the gold medalist in the 100 individual medley at the World Short Course Championships.
Most recently, Ceccon packaged a strong showing at the European Championships in Paris. In addition to securing the silver medal in the 100 backstroke, falling to Greek champion Apostolos Christou by .01, Ceccon finished fourth in the 50 butterfly, led off Italy’s silver-medal 400 medley relay and helped his country earn bronze in the mixed 400 freestyle relay. His best performance, though, may have come in the 200 backstroke.
The 25-year-old has predominantly focused on the 50- and 100-meter distances during his career, but he ventured up to the 200 backstroke at the European Championships, and the payoff was impressive. Although Hungarian Hubert Kos cruised to the title in 1:53.08, following a semifinal blast of 1:52.30, Ceccon was the bronze medalist in an Italian record of 1:53.96. Between Kos and Ceccon was Greece’s Apostolos Siskos, who set a national record of 1:53.81.
Ceccon is now one of 12 athletes to break the 1:54 barrier in the 200 backstroke, and just the fourth European. For an individual primarily considered a sprinter, it was a major achievement and evidence of Ceccon’s range. Moving forward, will the 200 backstroke become part of Ceccon’s program for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles? Based on the schedule for action at SoFi Stadium, the 200 backstroke does not present a conflict.
Heading into 2027, in which a World Championships (Budapest) is scheduled, it will be worth monitoring whether Ceccon continues to dabble in the 200 backstroke. If so, his association with the event provides another storyline to follow.
