Italian Athletics: Coiro Smashes 44-Year-Old 800m Record at European Championships

Italian runner Eloisa Coiro shattered the 44-year-old Italian record in the 800 meters, clocking an impressive 1 minute 57.56 seconds during the heats at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham. This remarkable performance surpassed the previous record of 1'57"66 set by Gabriella Dorio in 1980, a mark that had stood for nearly half a century and was the longest-standing national record for women in Olympic distances in Italy.

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I didn't look at the splits – I didn't know how fast I was running, I just knew I was feeling good and had a lot left at the end. I'm really happy.

Coiro's record-breaking run occurred under unusual circumstances, with strong winds contributing to the fast pace. She attributed her success to the high level of competition in Europe, particularly within her event. "I didn't look at the splits – Coiro said in the mixed zone – I didn't know how fast I was running, I just knew I was feeling good and had a lot left at the end. I'm really happy."

Gabriella Dorio, the former record holder, congratulated Coiro via social media, acknowledging the significance of August 11th, the date of her own Olympic gold medal win in 1984. "Well done Eloisa, today August 11th is an important day for me! I toast to the Olympic gold and the 800m record!" Dorio posted. Coiro responded with admiration, calling Dorio an inspiration and expressing her deep satisfaction with the achievement, stating, "It means so much to me and I've been looking for it for a long time, now I don't set limits for myself anymore."

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Well done Eloisa, today August 11th is an important day for me! I toast to the Olympic gold and the 800m record!

In other Italian athletics news, Ayomide Folorunso narrowly missed her personal best in the 400m hurdles, finishing her heat in 53.93 seconds, just four hundredths of a second shy of her record set three years ago. The high jump competition also saw success for Italy, with all four participating athletes, Gianmarco Tamberi, Matteo Sioli, Edoardo Stronati, and Christian Falocchi, qualifying for the final.

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It means so much to me and I've been looking for it for a long time, now I don't set limits for myself anymore.