Italy wins European Athletics Championships medal table with 4x400m relay and long jump golds

Italy concluded its triumphant campaign at the European Athletics Championships by topping the final medal table, driven by late victories in the long jump and the men's 4x400m relay. The nation's athletic prowess was on full display as they secured their leading position.

Larissa Iapichino set the tone early in the evening, clinching gold in the long jump with a leap of 7 meters on her first attempt. Despite challenging windy and cold conditions that affected many competitors, including favored German athlete Malaika Mihambo, Iapichino's mark proved unbeatable. Her victory, a matter of centimeters over competitors Jazmin Sawyers of Great Britain and Hilary Kpatcha of France, marked her first gold medal at a major international event.

The championships also saw Italy earn silver medals in both the men's and women's marathon, with Pietro Riva taking individual silver and the women's team securing second place. The women's 4x400m relay team added a bronze medal to Italy's tally, with Eloisa Coiro anchoring the team with a strong performance.

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This is the strongest Italy ever. This expedition is better than Rome's. We have made almost repeatable what seemed unrepeatable. Competing in a nation that has immense culture, and managing to hold our own against Great Britain until the end, is something superlative. From this expedition comes a great push for the next two years: Los Angeles 2028 destination.

The men's 4x400m relay team delivered a spectacular finale, holding off a strong challenge from the home crowd favorites, Great Britain. Anchored by Lorenzo Benati, who maintained his lead against a surging British runner, the team, also featuring Edoardo Scotti, Luca Sito, and Mohamed Soudassi, secured the final gold medal for Italy.

National director Antonio La Torre declared this the "strongest Italy ever," surpassing even the success of the Rome championships. He highlighted the team's resilience, particularly after an injury to star sprinter Jacobs, and expressed confidence that this success provides a significant boost for future competitions, including the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

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The injury to Jacobs could have turned the week differently. We immediately regrouped, and the captains gave the others a push: within a team.