Italy's athletes continued their impressive performance at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham with multiple medal-winning moments on the third day of competition. The highlight came in the women’s 800 meters, where Eloisa Coiro shattered a decades-old national record, while Sara Fantini claimed silver in the hammer throw, contributing to Italy’s fifth medal of the tournament. Coiro, representing Italy, clocked a time of 1 minute, 57 seconds, and 56 hundredths during the heats, breaking the previous national record set by Gabriella Dorio in 1980. This achievement marked a significant milestone, as Dorio’s mark had stood for over 46 years. Coiro’s performance was particularly notable given the challenging conditions, including strong winds, which she navigated skillfully. Her success not only secured her a spot in the semifinals but also underscored her determination and preparation. Coiro expressed her joy and respect for Dorio, acknowledging her as an inspiration and a role model. “I’m really happy,” Coiro said after the race. “I felt great and I had plenty left for the finish.” On the men’s side, Francesco Pernici made his mark by setting a new Italian record in the 800 meters with a time of 1 minute, 43 seconds, and 84 hundredths. His performance surpassed his earlier personal best and placed him among the world’s top competitors. Pernici’s achievement highlighted the resurgence of Italian athletics in this event, following the previous record set by Marcello Fiasconaro in 1973. The competition saw other notable performances, including Mark English of Ireland, who broke the European Championship record with a time of 1 minute, 43 seconds, and 49 hundredths. In the hammer throw, Sara Fantini delivered a strong performance, securing silver with a distance of 74.35 meters. The gold medal went to Finland’s Silja Kosonen with a remarkable 76.28 meters, while Norway’s Beatrice Nedberge Llano took bronze with 72.88 meters. Fantini’s result was a continuation of her successful run at the championships, having previously won gold at the 2024 European Championships in Rome. She acknowledged the challenge of securing a podium finish, stating, “The medal wasn’t guaranteed, but I gave everything until the end.” Other Italian athletes also contributed to the team’s overall success. Ayomide Folorunso narrowly missed a personal best in the 400-meter hurdles, finishing fifth with a time of 53.93 seconds. Meanwhile, Gianmarco Tamberi, Matteo Sioli, Edoardo Stronati, and Christian Falocchi all advanced to the finals in the high jump, showcasing their resilience and form despite individual challenges. Tamberi, in particular, expressed frustration with his technical execution, indicating areas for improvement ahead of future competitions. The Italian team’s achievements were further bolstered by performances in other disciplines. In the 400-meter hurdles, Alessandro Sibilio recorded a season-best time of 48.44 seconds, securing a place in the semifinals. On the track, two Italian women advanced to the semifinals in the 400 meters, with Alessandra Bonora and Alice Mangione both posting times under 52 seconds. However, the discus event proved less successful for Italy, with none of the athletes qualifying for the final. As the European Championships continue, the focus shifts to the upcoming finals, where Italy’s athletes will aim to build on their current momentum. With multiple events scheduled for Friday evening, the stage is set for more potential successes and challenges ahead.
★
Keep the news honest.
ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.
Become a Supporter
Italy
