Long-distance swimming star Gregorio Paltrinieri will be Italy's first torchbearer for next February's Winter Olympics at Milano-Cortina, ANSA sources said Wednesday.
    The 2016 Olympic 1,500m freestyle gold medallist and multiple long-course world champ will open the journey of the Milan-Cortina torch in Rome on Saturday, following the lighting ceremony the day before at the presidential Quirinale Palace.
    Among the other torchbearers are basketball player Achille Polonara, who is battling leukemia, fencer Elisa Di Francisca, and former Olympic high jump champ Gianmarco Tamberi.
    Others taking turns on the route through the capital will include former Wimbledon runner-up Matteo Berrettini, former basketball players Gigi Datome and Andrea Bargnani, ex motorcycling star Max Biaggi, film director Giuseppe Tornatore, rapper Achille Lauro, Noemi, actress Claudia Gerini, and fashion designer Lavinia Biagiotti.

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