Golden Gala Pietro Mennea 2022

The stars of world athletics and the Italian champions return to challenge each other at the Olympic Stadium in the most prestigious international athletics meeting in Italy, the fifth stage of the international circuit of the Wanda Diamond League.

Numerous records have helped consolidate the wonderful tradition that characterizes the great event: from the magical 1984 night, with the unforgettable challenge between Sergey Bubka (Urs) and Thierry Vigneron (Fra) in the pole vault, at 5.94 of the then Soviet champion, who also attempted the 6 meters that he would later overcome; from the exceptional result of 12: 58.39 by Moroccan Said Aouita, who knocked down the historic 13-minute wall in the 5000, to 12: 55.30 of the 3000 Steeplechase on the flat distance, by the Kenyan Moses Kiptanui in 1995.

Instead, two were the world records obtained in Rome by the great Hicham El Guerrouj: in 1998, the Moroccan champion signed a fantastic performance on 1500 meters, in a time of 3: 26.00, still unbeaten today. The following year the Maghrebi rider also improved the mile one, bringing it to 3: 43.13, thanks also to the stimulus of the young Kenyan opponent Ngeny.  The last world record dates back to 2008, when the queen of the pole, Yelena Isinbaeva, flew to five meters and zero three of her umpteenth record.

On the calendar for the 2022 edition of the Diamond League are 13 series matches, starting in Doha on 13 May and closing in Zurich on 7 and 8 September. The Roman stage includes seven men's and seven women's specialities, valid for qualifying for the finals: 200m, 800m, 1500m, 100m and 400mH, pole vault and long jump for women; 100m, 200m, 400m, 5000m, 3000SC, high jump, shot put and discus for men. Two additional disciplines have been added to enrich the show.

The appointment in the Capital is an opportunity to applaud the Azzurri who triumphed at the Tokyo Olympics and to experience great emotions with new exciting challenges.

Photo: Rome Diamond League Official Website