Exciting Slovenian prospect Živa Remic cruised through the women's 800m heats at the Rieti 2026 European Athletics U18 Championships on Friday (17).
The 16-year-old, who won European U20 silver last year, looked well within her comfort zone as she controlled heat four, winning in 2:08.77.
"I take it day by day and see how my body reacts to this temperature," she said with an eye on the upcoming rounds. "And then we will make a plan for the final.
"Pressure is a privilege. It is great when people are cheering for you, that is something special. I try to enjoy every time I step on the track and not to think about other things.
"My parents are here with me which means a lot. They also cook for me. And my coach is my biggest supporter - without him I would not be where I am today."
She will be joined in Friday evening's semi-finals by fellow heat winners France's Léa Eid (heat two, 2:08.68), Spain's Aitana Navajo (heat three, 2:10.51) and Great Britain's Ezrah Harrold (heat one, 2:10.52).
In the men's 2000m steeplechase, Switzerland's top-ranked Nino Eugster and Jonas Beutler each won their heats to progress to Saturday's (19) final. Beutler took heat one in 5:52.41 before Eugster claimed heat two in 5:51.06.
*Geoblocking restrictions apply in territories where Rieti 2026 is being covered by a national broadcaster
