Olympic Canadian swimmer gives his father “the finger” before every race for good luck

At first sight the gesture made by Santo Condorelli would be taken as obscene as he raises his middle finger before the race.

According to The Telegraph, the gesture - also known as “shooting the bird” - is equivalent to the v-sign in Britain, but Condorelli’s is not seeking to cause offence.

It is part of his pre-race ritual and the gesture is aimed at his father who is watching the event.
Nevertheless it has caused the 21-year-old some problems, especially when he appeared to be making the gesture at the television cameras which were just in front of his father.

Condorelli was obliged to issue an apology.

According to Condorelli, the gesture originated when the swimmer was only eight years old and was consistently being beaten by rival competitors.

Condorelli’s father, Joseph, said this was a good ritual.