British Olympian Hector Pardoe to attempt end-to-end swim of Lake Como 

Open water swimmer Hector Pardoe will attempt a continuous 47km swim from Como to Gera Lario on 10 August 2026, just days after competing at the European Swimming Championships in Paris

Fresh from competing at the European Swimming Championships in Paris, British Olympic open water swimmer Hector Pardoe will take on a continuous 47km swim from Como to Gera Lario on Monday 10 August 2026. Organised in collaboration with Diego Novella, SwimQuest Swimming Holidays and the Auxiliary Coast Guard, the ambitious challenge aims to set a record for one of the world’s most iconic lake swims.

Hector Pardoe said: “I see Lake Como as the crown jewel of inland open water swimming. It’s the most famous lake in the world, home to Nespresso adverts and George Clooney. For open water swimmers, it’s the equivalent of the Monaco Grand Prix. I’ve always dreamed of swimming it. Two years out from the Los Angeles Olympic Games, where my goal is to win an Olympic medal, this felt like the perfect opportunity to do something iconic. When I look back on my career, I want to remember moments like winning World Championship bronze in Doha, racing at the Paris Olympics, and swimming the length of Italy’s most famous lake. 

Italy has played a huge role throughout Pardoe’s career. Since he was 15 years old, he has trained regularly at nearby Lago d’Orta and now considers the region a second home. Hector Pardoe: “My connection to Italy goes far beyond swimming. It’s the culture, the people and, of course, the weather. Coming from Britain, where sunshine is treated like a national celebration, Italy always feels like paradise. As a lifelong vegetarian, travelling isn’t always easy. Too often your choices are a rather sad salad or a plate of chips. Italy has always been different. The cuisine is incredible and I’ve never struggled to find amazing vegetarian food. 

That’s one of the many reasons I love coming back. I’ve been coming to Lago d’Orta since I was 15 years old and it really has become my second home. One of my neighbours there is the actor Antonio Albanese, who has been watching me train on the lake from his balcony ever since I first started coming here. He’s always said he loves watching me swim in the lake.”

Over the years, Pardoe has raced throughout Italy, from Piombino in Tuscany to Golfo Aranci and Alghero in Sardinia.

Hector Pardoe: “Growing up, my idol was Gregorio Paltrinieri. I watched him win Olympic gold in Rio and dreamed of one day racing against him. Eight years later we stood on the same Olympic start line in Paris and even swapped swimming caps afterwards. That was a surreal moment. This isn’t just another swim. It’s my way of celebrating a country that has given me so much over the years. Italy has become part of my life and swimming the full length of Lake Como is an honour.” 

Hector Pardoe’s career highlights 

• World Championship bronze medallist (Doha 2024) 

• Sixth place at the Paris Olympic Games (2024) 

• Olympian at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 

• Winner of the Olympic Qualification Event in Setúbal (2021) 

• First person to swim the largest lakes in England, Scotland and Wales within 24 hours (2025)