Italy is sitting on top of Europe – twice. In an extraordinary week for Italian sports, the Azzurri are leading the medal standings at both the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham and the European Aquatics Championships in Paris. Two major continental competitions are taking place simultaneously, and Italy has established itself as the leading nation in both, with victories coming from established Olympic champions and a new generation of athletes.
At Birmingham 2026, Italy’s surge has been powered by performances across track and field, but Nadia Battocletti has become one of the defining figures of the championships.
The 26-year-old from Trentino completed a remarkable 5,000–10,000 double for the second consecutive European Championships. After successfully defending her 5,000-meter title, Battocletti won the 10,000 meters in 31:41.17, breaking away decisively over the final 250 meters.
The victory gave her a fourth European outdoor gold and confirmed her status among Italy’s greatest distance runners. Battocletti became the first athlete in European Championships history to achieve the 5,000–10,000 double at 2 consecutive editions. Her international résumé already includes Olympic silver in the 10,000 meters at Paris 2024.
Then came Gianmarco Tamberi.
The charismatic Italian high jumper cleared 2.32 meters to claim another European crown, his fourth outdoor continental title. At 34, Tamberi once again demonstrated his ability to produce his best performances when medals are at stake. He dedicated the victory to his daughter Camilla. Italy doubled its presence on the podium thanks to Matteo Sioli, who took bronze.
Eseosa Desalu added another medal in the 200 meters, finishing with bronze in 20.26 seconds following an exceptionally close finish. The result added another major championship medal to the career of the Tokyo Olympic 4x100 relay champion.
At almost exactly the same time, Italian athletes were dominating another European championship roughly 300 miles away in Paris.
At the European Aquatics Championships, Italy has built its lead through swimming, diving, open water and other disciplines. Simona Quadarella once again confirmed her supremacy in European distance swimming. After taking gold in the 800-meter freestyle, the Roman champion won the 1,500 in 15:46.22, establishing a European Championships record.
It was her fourth consecutive European 1,500 title and her 10th individual European long-course gold.
Another symbol of Italy’s new generation is 19-year-old Sara Curtis, who produced one of the championships’ most remarkable achievements. She broke the women’s 50-meter backstroke world record twice, first swimming 26.63 seconds in the semifinal and then lowering it to 26.56 in the final to take gold.
Italy also collected bronze in the mixed 4x100 freestyle relay, with Carlos D’Ambrosio, Thomas Ceccon, Curtis and Emma Virginia Menicucci setting an Italian record of 3:20.80.
By August 14, Italy had accumulated 34 medals across the European Aquatics Championships – 11 gold, 9 silver and 14 bronze – putting the country at the top of the overall standings.
The simultaneous leadership of the 2 medal tables makes this European summer particularly significant. From Birmingham’s track and field events to the pools and waters of Paris, Italy is not relying on one superstar or one discipline.
It is winning across the board – and, for now, no European nation is doing it better.
