On the eve of the launch of the Diamond League season in Shanghai/Keqiao on Saturday (16), European Athletics shines the spotlight on Chiara Montesano of Italy, a former participant in the European Athletics Future Leaders Programme.
Chiara is a professional photographer who works at both Diamond League and European Athletics events, she first participated in the Future Leaders Programme in Amsterdam in 2016.
Future Leaders is celebrating its 20th anniversary at the Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships this year.
What began as a biennial forum has evolved into a long-term leadership pathway that continues to shape the future of the sport.
As we look towards the 2026 edition of the Future Leaders Forum which will take place in Birmingham from 12–17 August, this series meets some of the past Future Leaders who have since established their career in athletics. Here we meet Chiara Montesano.
What are you doing now? Tell us about your current role.
I’m currently a sport photographer, but I mostly shoot athletics. I’m working with European Athletics and Diamond League and with some brands and athletes.
When it is not track season I follow other sports too and shot some winter sports at the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.
What does a typical day look like for you?
My typical working day begins early with a big breakfast because you never know if and when you’ll be able to eat again.
Then I prepare a timetable with the events and the athletes that I have to shoot that day and I go to the track early to brainstorm with the team and to find the best spots.
What do you enjoy the most about what you do?
The time I get to spend with my team and athletes and travelling the world.
How did you get into this field?
I started doing athletics when I was 6 years old, then when I was 17 I started bringing my camera at the track and at competitions.
That’s when I met the people that believed in me and gave me the chance to work in sport photography.
Was working in sport (or your current area) always your goal?
I knew since I was a kid that I wanted to tell stories about people. Growing up I realized that I wanted to tell the stories of the athletes.
What has been one defining moment in your career so far?
The 2017 Worlds Athletics Championships in London, that’s when I realized that that could be my dream job.
What skills or experiences helped you get to where you are today?
Being an athlete myself helped me a lot understanding what and when to shoot and knowing personally the athletes helps me knowing how they are going to celebrate a victory or having them watching straight into my camera.
Who or what inspires you in your career?
Some people that work in the sport communication that I’m lucky enough to call friends.
What motivates you to keep working in/around athletics or sport?
The energy that this sport gives you.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in sport or leadership?
Don’t let people tell you that you can’t do something, find another way to get where you want.
What’s something you wish you knew when you were starting your career?
Don’t be scared to ask for help or advices to the “gods” of photography.
Any exciting projects or goals you’re working on right now?
You will see soon…