According to technical director Antonio La Torre, the Italian athletics federation has selected a record-breaking squad of 132 athletes—70 men and 62 women—for the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, Great Britain, running from August 10 to 16. This delegation surpasses the previous milestone of 116 qualifiers set at the Rome home championships in 2024, deploying the largest National team in Italian athletics history for the continental event.
Defending Champions Returning to the Italian Roster
The Italian team features a strong core of individual gold medalists from the Rome 2024 championships. According to federation announcements, the roster includes Marcell Jacobs for the 100 meters, Nadia Battocletti for the 5,000 and 10,000 meters, Yeman Crippa competing in the 10,000 meters, Gianmarco Tamberi in the high jump, Leonardo Fabbri in the shot put, Sara Fantini in the hammer throw, and Antonella Palmisano in race walking.
Several athletes arrive with multiple continental titles already secured. According to event records, Gianmarco Tamberi has won three European gold medals across Amsterdam, Munich, and Rome, while Marcell Jacobs and Yeman Crippa have each claimed two titles spanning Munich and Rome.
Global Medalists and Key Selections in Birmingham
Beyond the returning European champions, the Azzurri lineup features global medalists and prominent event leaders. According to the team announcement, Tokyo Olympic champion Massimo Stano joins the race walking squad, while world long jump champion Mattia Furlani and two-time indoor world triple jump champion Andy Diaz bolster the field events. They are joined by triple jump world silver medalist Andrea Dallavalle, indoor world 100-meter champion Zaynab Dosso, and indoor long jump European champion Larissa Iapichino.
The squad also incorporates established individual medalists from Rome such as Chituru Ali, sprinter Filippo Tortu, Catalin Tecuceanu, Pietro Arese, Alessandro Sibilio, marathon runner Pietro Riva, and race walker Francesco Fortunato. Olympic relay champions Fausto Desalu and Lorenzo Patta also make the trip alongside emerging talents like high jumper Matteo Sioli, 800-meter runner Francesco Pernici, race walker Sofia Fiorini, long jumper Francesco Inzoli, and triple jumpers Dariya Derkach and Erika Saraceni.
Squad Demographics and Competition Entries
Family ties feature prominently in the Italian delegation. According to the official entry lists, brothers Ala and Osama Zoghlami will compete in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, while siblings Carmelo and Anna Musci take on the discus and shot put events respectively. Age extremes span six decades of athletics experience: four-hundredist Mohamed Soudassi and sprinter Elena Cambiolo join the team before turning 20, whereas 40-year-old Daniele Meucci—the 2014 European marathon champion—makes his eighth appearance at the continental championships.
Under championship rules, reigning champions afford Italy wildcard entries allowing four athletes in specific events instead of the standard three, while the marathon permits up to six starters. The nation will also contest all six relay disciplines, including the newly introduced mixed 4×100-meter relay alongside the traditional men’s and women’s 4×100 and 4×400 relays and the mixed 4×400 relay.
Did you know?
The Italian team for Birmingham 2026 eclipses the previous high-water mark of 116 athletes set during the home championships in Rome in 2024, according to data released by technical director Antonio La Torre.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where are the European Athletics Championships taking place?
The championships take place in Birmingham, Great Britain, from August 10 to 16.
How many athletes make up the Italian team?
According to the Italian Athletics Federation, the squad totals 132 athletes, comprising 70 men and 62 women.
Which defending champions are returning for Italy?
Gold medalists from the Rome championships including Marcell Jacobs, Nadia Battocletti, Yeman Crippa, Gianmarco Tamberi, Leonardo Fabbri, Sara Fantini, and Antonella Palmisano are returning to compete in Birmingham.
Are relay events included in the Italian schedule?
Yes, Italy enters six relay teams, featuring the debut of the mixed 4×100-meter relay alongside men’s and women’s 4×100 and 4×400 squads and the mixed 4×400 relay.
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