Roma 2024: Perkovic for history, Ingebrigtsen for double, Duplantis for WR, Italian hopes for gold

ROME (ITA):  The 26th edition of European Championships in legendary Stadio Olimpico (Olympic Games 1960, Europeans in 1974, Worlds in 1987, Golden Gala editions, and much more) will be symbolic. 50 years after the edition of the European Championships, which were held on September 2-8, 1974, with 747 athletes from 28 countries. Now we have 48 countries and around 1500 athletes,  of course, in more events.  After 2012 and 2016, for a third time held in an Olympic Year earliest date ever. A new event is mixed 4×400 m. Also, for the first time, walks are part of the “Olympic year edition.” Title defenders competed in 17 male individual events and 14 female ones.  Sandra Perkovic is targeting the record 7th discus title in a row (and nobody ever won 7 gold medals at European Champs, even in several events). Jakob Ingebrigtsen third double after Berlin and Munich. Mondo Duplantis’s third win after Berlin and Munich, the same target by Miltiadis Tentoglou in the long jump and Karsten Warholm at 400 m hurdles, Wojciech Nowicki in the hammer, and Nafi Thiam in the heptathlon. Anita Wlodarczyk already has four titles but did not compete last time.  Italy hopes to achieve the best medal results in 1990 (5 gold, 2 silver, 5 bronze). For the first time, athletes will be awarded a performance bonus of 50,000 euros each for the best result in five event categories, men and women. Sprints and Hurdles, Distances, Jumps, Throws and Walks, Combined events and relays in one pot. In total, 34 broadcasters will show the event live.  The prospect of nice and warm weather and potentially no wind issues is great for athletes. Another hope is for a good number of spectators.

Short event-by-event previews

Men

100 m: Is Jacobs ready for sub 10 and so defend the title without injuring Azu? Who can challenge him? Dark horse Chituru Ali.

200 m: It’s time for a new champion. The French are strong on paper, and home star Tortu (last time third) is a young Afrifah.

400 m:  Doom after Marrakech and Ostrava looks in pole position. Dobson can be close. Open contest for bronze.

800 m: Italy hopes for Tecuceanu, but championship races are different from meetings. There are many options from France, Belgium, Spain, Norway.

1500 m: Jakob story part 2, it will be after 5000 m. Same double like Berlin and Munich. Many contenders for other medals, also Habz added into the field. Again, Norda has the same double.

5000 m: Jakob story part 1, here based on the splits also CR possible…