The iconic Stadio dei Marmi which will serve as the warm-up track for the Roma 2024 European Athletics Championships from 7-12 June has undergone renovation in the build-up to the championships which begin in just over 50 days' time.
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And in preparation for a busy and action-packed summer season, the Italian men’s and women’s relay teams have had the honour of testing out the track this week.
"The Stadio dei Marmi has always been something spectacular, I achieved the personal best [on this track in the 100m] last year," said Lorenzo Simonelli, who won 60m hurdles silver at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow but hopes to be involved in his country’s 4x100m team later this summer.
"But now, with this dark track, the white stands out even more. There is no stadium like this in the world. I can't wait to return to the European Athletics Championships in Rome - a very important stage of the season.
“I'm very calm, happy, and excited. We're working to achieve important results, just as we did indoors. In the relay I don't have a favourite leg, what matters is being in the group,” added Simonelli.
Another athlete in high spirits was Zaynab Dosso who capped her breakthrough indoor campaign by winning a bronze medal in the 60m at the World Athletics Indoor Championships.
And while Dosso will have her sights set on making an impact in the 100m in Rome 2024, she is also eyeing a medal of a shinier colour than the one the Italian team won in the 4x100m in Munich 2022.
"With our relay teammates at the European Athletics Championships we are aiming for an even heavier medal than the bronze in Munich 2022," said Dosso who ran the lead-off leg in Munich two years ago.
"Glasgow has left me with emotional tranquility, serenity. I know that I have achieved something and I just have to continue working as I was doing. There is a magical environment at the moment - in previous years we wanted to surprise, but now we know that we have the right qualities and can dream big," she added.
One of the special guests for the re-opening of the Stadio dei Marmi was Livio Berruti who famously won the 200m title on home soil at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome.
"Curiosity and passion for running have always driven me throughout my career. This day, for me, it’s like going back to a beautiful time, full of joy and smiles.
"I wish the Italian sprinters all the best for the Roma 2024 European Athletics Championships," he said.