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| | Lane 9 News Archive: Federica Pellegrini Rockets to an Italian Record in the 100m Free, Clocks a World-Leading 54.40 |
 | | FIFTEEN year-old Federica Pellegrini blazed a 54.40 for the 100 meters freestyle in a meet in Livorno yesterday to vault herself into Olympic medal contention in Athens this summer. |
 | | Known as "the lioness of Venice," because she decorates her bedroom with photos of lions, Pellegrini became the tenth fastest swimmer in history with her swim, with a time that would have earned her silver at the World Championships in Barcelona last July, and bronze at the Sydney Olympics ahead of the great Dara Torres. |
 | | A science student, Pellegrini reportedly "has never set foot in a discotheque," does not have a boyfriend, and is described by an Italian sports newspaper as classy, humble and not easily distracted. |
| www.dailyswimnews.com /lane9/news/6955.asp (435 words) |
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