From 16 to 19 July 2026, the Raul Guidobaldi Stadium in Rieti will host the European Athletics U18 Championships. Behind the athletes and the medals, however, there will be an organizational machine made up of many key figures who often remain away from the spotlight. Among them are the competition officials, whose work is essential for the success of a rich, spectacular and complex event.
For Rieti 2026, a total of 124 officials, including national and international judges, will be involved. They come from almost every Italian region and will form a large and highly qualified team, responsible for guaranteeing accuracy, fairness and technical support throughout every stage of the championships.
For this occasion, a Young Officials Project has also been launched, dedicated to officials under the age of 35, selected by the Regional Committees. The initiative aims to promote the new generation of Italian athletics officials and encourage generational renewal within the sector. The youngest official involved is 19 years old, while the most experienced one is 78.
Alongside the Italian officials, there will also be the support of those appointed by European Athletics, which will send around a dozen international officials to Rieti. The group will include two Technical Delegates, Race Walking Judges, one Starter, and five Referees, who will complete the Italian team.
Many of the officials involved in Rieti 2026 have already gained experience at major international events, including the Rome 2024 European Championships, providing valuable expertise for a continental-level competition such as the one hosted in Rieti.
The team has been operational since 12 July, with organizational and technical activities already underway. A full dress rehearsal is scheduled for 15 July, while official competition will begin the following day.
Among the responsibilities of the officials will also be support for the anti-doping programme, a fundamental aspect in ensuring compliance with the rules and sporting fairness throughout the championships.
Figures show that Rieti 2026 will involve around 40 more officials than a standard Italian national championship. An important investment that confirms the European scale of the event and the commitment to relying on a technical structure capable of meeting the standards of the best international competitions.