Fully immersing themselves in a sporting event, working in teams, and creating a sustainability plan: this was the first "challenge" faced by the students of Rieti involved in "Starting Line", the educational programme linked to the European Athletics U18 Championships scheduled from 16 to 19 July 2026.
The project involves around 500 high-school students from the city and began on 1 and 2 December at the Costaggini Institute. It will continue with new meetings through March, looking ahead to the international event to be hosted this summer at the Guidobaldi Stadium, where many local students will have the chance to volunteer.
Students were introduced to the key concepts of social and environmental sustainability, examples of virtuous sporting events, and the role of athletes as leaders of change. Smartphones in hand, they answered a quiz about their current knowledge of sustainability. Then, together with their teachers, they experienced organising a "sustainable event."
Divided into working groups, the students conceived sustainability plans, reflecting on how the event can become truly accessible to all, how the local community can participate actively, how to train volunteers, and which actions to take to promote healthy lifestyles and well-being.
"A project that directly involves young people is the key to allowing them to experience Rieti 2026 in an authentic and participatory way," said the president of the local organising committee, Riccardo Guerci. "The response from the schools has been excellent, and I want to thank them for their enthusiasm. Passing on the values of sport to young people through themes like sustainability, inclusion, and well-being is the mission of these U18 Championships," added the event coordinator and secretary general of Rieti 2026, Federico Rinaldi.
To open the meetings with the students, the mayor of Rieti, Daniele Sinibaldi, took part: "We are proud to see schools so engaged in an educational journey that enhances the community. The U18 Championships aim to be an event open to everyone, and this project is its concrete demonstration." The same concepts were emphasised by the councillor for sport, Chiara Mestichelli: "Meeting the students was an important moment to share values and passion for sport and to help each of them feel like a protagonist."