Olympic medallist Filippo Magnini saved a man from drowning in Sardinia, Italian media report.

Magnini, winner of a bronze medal and twice world champion in the 100 metre freestyle competition, saved a man who found himself in difficulty while swimming on a beach in the Cagliari province on Sunday.

The man’s colleagues raised the alarm but before the lifeguards could intervene to assist the 37-year-old, Magnini who was in the vicinity with his girlfriend Giorgia Palmas rushed to aid the swimmer.

He was the first to reach the drowning swimmer and kept him afloat until further help arrived.