The 2025 Speed Festival in Bergamo, Italy marked an inspiring start to this year’s European Athletics Coaching Summit Series, drawing more than 150 participants from 23 countries for three days of learning, discussion, and hands-on experience focused on speed, strength, and performance.
Coaches, researchers, athletes, and industry experts gathered at the renowned CUS Bergamo and University of Bergamo to exchange ideas and explore the latest developments shaping sprinting and power-based disciplines.
Sharing science, practice and passion for speed
The conference featured a rich programme of presentations blending theory, applied science, and on-track experience:
- Riccardo Borzuola opened the proceedings with new EMG-based insights into muscle activation patterns during sprinting, offering innovative perspectives on performance monitoring
- Håkan Andersson followed with a deep dive into ‘Strength Training for Sprinters’, emphasizing force–velocity profiling and individual adaptation
- Jo Brown led two practical sessions—'Biomechanics of the First 10 metres’ and ‘Hip-to-Foot Connection’—that illuminated how coordination and technical timing influence sprint efficiency
- Olympic marathon champion Gelindo Bordin explored ‘Technological Innovation in Track & Field Footwear’, tracing the evolution of shoe design and its impact on performance
- Pedro Jimenez-Reyes examined ‘Assisted and Resisted Sprint Methods’, clarifying how overload and overspeed techniques affect acceleration and training adaptation
- Andrea Uberti and Davide Buttari presented on ‘Hurdle Race Data’, combining analytical and practical approaches to refine rhythm and race modelling
- Andrea Ceccarelli discussed the design of High-Performance Training Facilities for elite athlete development
- Paolo Brasiliano showcased emerging ‘AI applications in athletics’, demonstrating how digital tools can enhance precision and efficiency in training management.
The event concluded with a collaborative practice session featuring 1080 Sprint and 1080 Cable demonstrations, followed by an open Q&A that encouraged lively dialogue between speakers and attendees.
“The Speed Festival has become a true meeting point for coaches and professionals who share a passion for human performance in track and field,” said Andrea Dell’Angelo, President & Co-founder of ilCoach, and Director of the Speed Festival.
“This year’s edition confirmed that collaboration and knowledge exchange are the real engines of progress in our sport.”
Part of the 2025 European Athletics Coaching Summit Series
The Speed Festival opened the 2025 European Athletics Coaching Summit Series, which continues through November with more specialist gatherings across the continent.