An event that leaves a lasting mark on Rieti and on Italian athletics: four days of competition, passionate crowds and a highly praised organisational machine. The city celebrates a success destined to remain. The final celebrations include the last Italian medals and the 100m gold medal won by Kelly Doualla, the symbol of these Championships.
The Rieti U18 European Championships have come to an end. The event concluded with Italy winning eight medals (finishing sixth in the medal table) after four days of competition, including two gold medals achieved by Kelly Doualla in the 100 metres and Rebecca D’Alessandro in the race walk. Great Britain topped the medal table, in a competition that delivered outstanding performances throughout all four days, highlighted by championship records and the spectacular 11.14 by Kelly Doualla in the 100 metres, a new European U18 record and the defining moment of the event.
These achievements are the result of years of preparation by the city of Rieti and the Italian athletics movement, which successfully welcomed the future stars of European athletics with an organisation that gave its very best. The competition was celebrated by an impressive public response: the Velino Grandstand was sold out two days before the start of the Championships. A result also confirmed by the assessment of FIDAL President Stefano Mei.
“ORGANISATIONAL SUCCESS” - “During these European Championships in Rieti, we faced a demanding challenge – says Mei at the end of the event, thanking the Local Organising Committee led by President Riccardo Guerci, the Federation professionals who worked alongside the LOC, and the institutions that collaborated – especially from an organisational point of view, because regarding the sporting results we were fairly confident.
There were some critical issues, there is no point denying that, but Rieti responded in a united and positive way. I have received very important feedback from the other teams and from European Athletics: everyone is talking about a great organisational success.
It is not by chance that we are often able to organise these events successfully. In fact, competitions of this type are even more complex because they involve underage athletes and there are many situations that increase the challenges. Rieti, however, responded extremely well. I saw a large and passionate crowd. The only thing we could not control was the weather, but the heat affected the whole of Europe, so I do not think this aspect will be held against us.”
SPORTING RESULTS - The final day delivered further excitement, despite another extremely hot day from a weather perspective. The morning began with triumphs in the race walk, including the gold and bronze medals for Italy won by Rebecca D’Alessandro and Caterina Carissimi, followed by Alessia Succo’s silver medal in the hurdles, a result that perhaps the athlete expected and deserved even more from, and then Alessandra Bighi’s silver medal in the high jump and the women’s relay bronze medal.
Giorgia Castiglione, Kelly Doualla, Elisa Calzolari and Micol Candidi secured third place in the 100-200-300-400 relay with a time of 2:07.43. Added to this were six fourth-place finishes overall achieved by the Italian team during the Championships.
THE CLOSING CELEBRATION - After the final events and medal ceremonies, music filled the Fan Village on the last evening, with everyone gathering in front of the big screen to watch Spain vs Argentina. It was a celebration together with the delegations, who relaxed before their departures after filling the city and its accommodation facilities throughout the Championships.