With one month to go until the Roma 2024 European Athletics Championships, the medals for the championships were unveiled at a press conference held on a newly laid track in the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday (7) evening.
The medals for the championships are 85 millimetres in diameter and feature the city’s iconic Colosseum on the left-hand side, the official logo for the championships in the centre and a stylised athletics track around the perimeter of the medals, presenting an innovative fusion between classicism and modernity.
European Athletics President Dobromir Karamarinov was in the Italian capital to mark the one month to go countdown and paid fulsome tribute to the Local Organising Committee and Italian Athletics Federation President Stefano Mei for their dedication in staging the event, the third time Italy has staged the European Athletics Championships in competition history.
“Organising a European Championship in the Olympic year is a great challenge. I thank President Stefano Mei for his great commitment. I am sure that Roma 2024 will be an extraordinary edition in a beautiful city and in a historic stadium,” said Karamarinov.
President Mei reflected some of the recent successes of Italian athletes on the continental and global stage and announced that "over 100 athletes" will represent the host nation in Roma 2024 next month.
"We will be here with over 100 athletes, everyone deserves this chance. I am proud of this national team, of our Olympic champions and of the many younger athlete who push to emulate their more successful teammates," said Mei.
Mayor of Rome Roberto Gualtieri is also looking forward to the championships and believes the half marathon course in particular will be a brilliant showcase for what Rome has to offer.
"The combination of sport and major events is an extraordinary driving force for the city. With what we have behind us and what we have ahead of us, these European Athletics Championships have a special flavour.
"I believe the half marathon course is the most beautiful course in the world for the athletes who will make us love this extraordinary sport once again. Long live the European Athletics Championships!" he said.
And to mark the one month to go countdown to the championships, there will be a 40 percent discount on tickets for Roma 2024.
The discount begins at midnight local time on Tuesday (7) and runs through until midnight on Thursday (9). All tickets for the championships can be purchased through the ticketing site here.