Only a few hours remain before competition begins at Rieti 2026, with four days that will place the city at the heart of European athletics. From Thursday to Sunday, the Raul Guidobaldi Stadium will host a packed programme as the continent's best U18 athletes compete for European titles.
At 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, 15 July, the official press conference for the European Athletics U18 Championships will take place in the auditorium of the Costaggini Hospitality Institute in Rieti (entrance: Via dei Salici 62). The pre-event launch will feature several of the competition's brightest young stars.
Among them is Italian sprint sensation Kelly Doualla, European U18 record holder, who owns a personal best of 11.21 in the 100 metres (backed up by an 11.37 this season) and is among the favourites for the title. She will begin her campaign on Thursday morning, aiming to qualify for the semi-finals in the heats starting at 10:15 a.m.
Another European record holder set to attend is Alessia Succo, who holds the European U18 best of 12.86 in the 100m hurdles and will share her expectations ahead of the Championships.
Also taking part will be Antony Del Pioluogo, fresh from his double title in shot put and discus at the Italian Championships in Grosseto. The Italian indoor U18 record holder in the shot put arrives in Rieti ranked second in the European lists behind Poland's Dral, whom he will face in competition.
International athletes will also be represented by Ziva Remic (Slovenia, 800m), who recently encouraged athletics fans through a social media reel to support all athletes born in 2009 and 2010 competing in Rieti. Great Britain's Tito Odunaike, owner of a personal best of 16.12m in the triple jump, will also attend the press conference.
The institutional panel will feature European Athletics President Dobromir Karamarinov, Italian Athletics Federation (FIDAL) President Stefano Mei, Rieti Mayor Daniele Sinibaldi, and Rieti 2026 Local Organising Committee President Riccardo Guerci.
Short interview opportunities with both athletes and officials will be available at the conclusion of the press conference.