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Minute by minute, event by event, here is the schedule for the Golden Gala Pietro Mennea on Thursday, June 4, featuring all the stars of the fourth meeting of the Wanda Diamond League, the first European stop of the season. Fourteen disciplines will award points toward qualification for the Wanda Diamond League Final in Brussels on September 4–5. The field includes an impressive lineup of Olympic champions and World and European gold medallists.
19:10 – Javelin Throw Men
World Record: Jan Železný (CZE) 98.48 | Jena, May 25, 1996
Diamond League Record: Thomas Röhler (GER) 93.90 | Doha, May 5, 2017
Meeting Record: Andreas Thorkildsen (NOR) 90.34 | Rome, July 14, 2006
2026 World Lead: Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage (SRI) 89.37 | Diyagama, March 29
Nine years after the last men’s javelin contest at the Golden Gala, the discipline returns to the program with the winner of the most recent edition in 2017, Germany’s Thomas Röhler, the Diamond League record holder and Rio 2016 Olympic champion. There is another Olympic gold medallist, Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott, who triumphed at London 2012 and claimed the world title in Tokyo last summer. Also in action is Grenada’s Anderson Peters, a two-time world champion and silver medallist in Tokyo, fresh off victory in Rabat, alongside American bronze medallist Curtis Thompson, recreating the entire 2025 World Championships podium in Rome. The extraordinary field also features African record holder and former world champion Julius Yego (Beijing 2015), Czech Olympic silver medallist and three-time Diamond League champion Jakub Vadlejch, season leader Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, India’s Sachin Yadav, and Italian champion Giovanni Frattini. The 2026 season is still awaiting its first 90-meter throw, making Rome the perfect stage for an athlete to take over the world lead and perhaps challenge the twenty-year-old meeting record.
19:15 – Pole Vault Women
World Record: Yelena Isinbaeva (RUS) 5.06 | Zurich, August 28, 2009
Diamond League Record: Anzhelika Sidorova (RUS) 5.01 | Zurich, September 9, 2021
Meeting Record: Yelena Isinbaeva (RUS) 5.03 | Rome, July 11, 2008
2026 World Lead: Hana Moll (USA) 4.88 | Seattle, January 31
Two outstanding athletes return to the Golden Gala after previous success at the meeting. Australia’s Nina Kennedy, Olympic champion in Paris and world champion in Budapest, won the 2024 Golden Gala and recently returned to winning ways in Rabat after a lengthy injury layoff, clearing 4.80m. The other headline star is American Sandi Morris, a two-time world indoor champion, who is seeking her third Golden Gala victory after 2021 and 2025. A triumph would see her equal the legendary Yelena Isinbaeva’s record of three consecutive victories from 2007 to 2009. The field is packed with elite talent, including Britain’s two-time world indoor champion Molly Caudery, international medallists Angelica Moser (Switzerland), Tina Šutej (Slovenia), Amálie Švábíková (Czech Republic), New Zealanders Olivia McTaggart and Eliza McCartney (Olympic bronze medallist in 2016), and Italy’s Elisa Molinarolo, sixth at both the Paris Olympics and the 2024 European Championships held in the same stadium. This will be her fifth Golden Gala appearance.
19:48 – Triple Jump Men
World Record: Jonathan Edwards (GBR) 18.29 | Gothenburg, August 7, 1995
Diamond League Record: Christian Taylor (USA) 18.11m | Eugene, May 27, 2017
Meeting Record: Pedro Pablo Pichardo (CUB) 17.96m | Rome, June 4, 2015
2026 World Lead: Jordan Scott (JAM) 17.66m | Caguas, May 17
Two-time world indoor champion and Olympic bronze medallist Andy Diaz returns to the Italian leg of the Diamond League. He is the only athlete in the field to have won the Golden Gala twice, first in Florence in 2023 with a meeting record of 17.75m and then again in Rome in 2024. Coached by fellow Olympic bronze medallist Fabrizio Donato, Diaz has the opportunity to become the first Italian athlete ever to win the Golden Gala three times, matching only steeplechaser Alessandro Lambruschini in the history of the meeting. He could also become the first triple jumper to claim three victories, surpassing legends Jonathan Edwards and Christian Olsson, both of whom won twice. Diaz faces a strong challenge from world leader Jordan Scott, who jumped 17.66m and won world indoor silver, as well as the other Jamaican Jaydon Hibbert, one of the most exciting young talents in the event, who recently returned from an injury. Cuba’s Lázaro Martínez and Algeria’s Mohamed Triki reunite the full 2026 world indoor podium in Rome. The field is completed by world indoor silver medallist Almir dos Santos of Brazil, Austrian record holder Endiorass Kingley, 2025 U.S. champion Russell Robinson, and France’s Thomas Gogois, who knows the atmosphere of the Stadio Olimpico well after winning bronze at the 2024 European Championships.
21:04 – 400m Hurdles Women
World Record: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA) 50.37 | Paris, August 8, 2024
Diamond League Record: Femke Bol (NED) 51.30 | London, July 20, 2024
Meeting Record: Femke Bol (NED) 52.43 | Florence, June 2, 2023
2026 World Lead: Emma Zapletalová (SVK) 52.82 | Rabat, May 31
One year after her remarkable performance at the Golden Gala, Italian record holder Ayomide Folorunso rejoins the Roman crowd. In the 2025 edition she produced a brilliant runner-up finish in 54.21. Among the former winners in the field are two distinguished Americans: former world record holder Dalilah Muhammad, victorious in Rome in 2019, and Anna Cockrell, winner of the 2024 Golden Gala before going on to claim Olympic silver behind Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and ahead of Femke Bol. Arriving as the world leader is Slovakia’s Emma Zapletalová, the world bronze medallist who dominated in Rabat with 52.82, defeating Cockrell. The American will be eager for revenge and a second success at the Stadio Olimpico. Also in the field is fellow U.S. star Jasmine Jones, world silver medallist in Tokyo. Following the Rabat meeting, many of the leading contenders meet again in Rome, including Folorunso, Cockrell, Zapletalová, South American record holder Gianna Woodruff of Panama, and Norway’s Amalie Iuel. The lineup is completed by Alice Muraro, the second-fastest Italian ever, and Belgian record holder Naomi Van den Broeck.
21:07 – High Jump Men
World Record: Javier Sotomayor (CUB) 2.45 | Salamanca, July 27, 1993
Diamond League Record: Mutaz Essa Barshim (QAT) 2.43 | Brussels, September 5, 2014
Meeting Record: Mutaz Essa Barshim (QAT) 2.41 | Rome, June 5, 2014
2026 World Lead: Danil Lysenko 2.33 | Chelyabinsk, January 16
American JuVaughn Harrison returns to the Golden Gala after victories in 2022 and 2023. Like Andy Diaz, he has the opportunity to become the first athlete in his discipline to win the meeting three times. Making his Diamond League season debut is European U23 champion and European indoor bronze medallist Matteo Sioli, who finished fifth in last year’s Golden Gala. The field also includes world bronze medallist Jan Štefela of the Czech Republic, world indoor silver medallist Erick Portillo of Mexico, Jamaican bronze medallist Raymond Richards, fellow Jamaican Romaine Beckford, Poland’s Mateusz Kołodziejski, Japan’s Tomohiro Shinno, and Australia’s Yual Reath.
21:15 – 800m Men
World Record: David Rudisha (KEN) 1:40.91 | London, August 9, 2012
Diamond League Record: Emmanuel Wanyonyi (KEN) 1:41.11 | Lausanne, August 22, 2024
Meeting Record: Wilson Kipketer (DEN) 1:42.79 | Rome, July 7, 1999
2026 World Lead: Josh Hoey (USA) 1:42.50 | Boston, January 24
Although the men’s 800m does not award Diamond League points this year, it promises fireworks. The meeting record of 1:42.79, set by former world record holder Wilson Kipketer, appears vulnerable given the quality of the field. Italy’s Francesco Pernici, a World Championships semifinalist who ran 1:44.40 in Rabat, will face again 2019 world champion Donavan Brazier, who has successfully returned to the top level and previously won the Golden Gala in his title-winning season. The field also includes another world champion, Portugal’s Isaac Nader, gold medallist in Tokyo over 1500m, European champion Gabriel Tual of France, European U23 champion Yanis Meziane, world indoor champion Bryce Hoppel, the other American Nathan Green, Ireland’s Mark English, Australia’s Peyton Craig, and Poland’s Filip Ostrowski and Patryk Sieradzki.
21:27 – Shot Put Men
World Record: Ryan Crouser (USA) 23.56 | Los Angeles, May 27, 2023
Diamond League Record: Joe Kovacs (USA) 23.23 | Zurich, September 7, 2022
Meeting Record: Ryan Crouser (USA) 22.49 | Rome, August 30, 2024
2026 World Lead: Joe Kovacs (USA) 22.58 | Rabat, May 31
The shot put circle will be one of the hottest venues of the evening. Every athlete in the field has won at least one Olympic or World Championships medal. Among the stars are world record holder and three-time Olympic champion Ryan Crouser, Diamond League record holder Joe Kovacs, who recently moved to the top of the world rankings with 22.58m in Rabat, New Zealand’s Tom Walsh, and European champion Leonardo Fabbri, who owns an Italian record of 22.98m. Also competing are former European indoor champion Zane Weir, Mexico’s Uniel Muñoz, Jamaican record holder Rajindra Campbell, and Americans Jordan Geist, Roger Steen and Adrian Piperi. After Xiamen and Rabat, the third chapter in the battle of the shot put giants unfolds in Rome.
21:28 – 100m Hurdles Women
World Record: Tobi Amusan (NGR) 12.12 | Eugene, July 24, 2022
Diamond League Record: Masai Russell (USA) 12.14 | Xiamen, May 23, 2026
Meeting Record: Ackera Nugent (JAM) 12.24 | Rome, August 30, 2024
2026 World Lead: Masai Russell (USA) 12.14 | Xiamen, May 23
Another world-class showdown awaits in Rome. The only athlete in the field with a previous Golden Gala victory is Dutch record holder Nadine Visser, winner in 2020 and later bronze medallist at the 2024 European Championships in Rome. Joining her are two-time world champion Danielle Williams and Olympic bronze medallist Megan Simmonds of Jamaica. The field also features European champion Pia Skrzyszowska of Poland, former world record holder Kendra Harrison, American standout Tonea Marshall, South African record holder Marioné Fourie, and Italian athletes Giada Carmassi and Alessia Succo. At just 17 years and 117 days old, Succo becomes the youngest Italian athlete ever to compete in a Diamond League event.
21:35 – Long Jump Men
World Record: Mike Powell (USA) 8.95 | Tokyo, August 30, 1991
Diamond League Record: Juan Miguel Echevarría (CUB) 8.65 | Zurich, August 29, 2019
Meeting Record: Dwight Phillips (USA) 8.61 | Rome, July 10, 2009
2026 World Lead: Simon Ehammer (SUI) 8.51 | Götzis, May 30
One of the deepest competitions of the evening, boasting a technical standard worthy of an Olympic or World Championships final. Unfortunately, reigning world champion Mattia Furlani is sidelined after suffering an injury at the Xiamen Diamond League meeting. Even without the Italian star, the event promises world-class action. Leading the field is Greece’s Miltiadis Tentoglou, winner of two Olympic titles, three world crowns and six European championships. He arrives in Rome after jumping 8.49m last weekend. Also competing are Jamaica’s Tajay Gayle, world champion in Doha and world silver medallist in Tokyo, and Wayne Pinnock, who has collected three global silver medals. The lineup includes world indoor champion Gerson Baldé of Portugal, European indoor champion Bozhidar Saraboyukov of Bulgaria, Australian Liam Adcock, Cuban teenage sensation Jorge Hodelín, Sweden’s Thobias Montler, and Italy’s Gabriele Chilà, who recently leapt 8.24m slightly wind-assisted at 2.1 m/s and will make his Diamond League debut.
21:38 – 5000m Women
World Record: Beatrice Chebet (KEN) 13:58.06 | Eugene, July 5, 2025
Diamond League Record: Beatrice Chebet (KEN) 13:58.06 | Eugene, July 5, 2025
Meeting Record: Beatrice Chebet (KEN) 14:03.69 | Rome, June 6, 2025
2026 World Lead: Faith Kipyegon (KEN) 14:24.14 | Keqiao, May 16
The Roman crowd hopes for another magical performance from Nadia Battocletti, who thrilled the Stadio Olimpico last year by breaking the Italian record while chasing Beatrice Chebet. This year the Kenyan will not be present due to her upcoming maternity leave, but Battocletti will still face an exceptionally strong field. The Italian star, European champion over the distance and world indoor champion over 3000m, returns to the 5000m after winning bronze at the World Championships in Tokyo. Ten Ethiopian athletes are entered, including major names such as Freweyni Hailu, Fantaye Belayneh, Medina Eisa, Marta Alemayo and Likina Amebaw. Kenya will be represented by Margaret Akidor and Caroline Nyaga, while Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi, Olympic champion in the 3000m steeplechase, adds further quality after showing excellent form earlier this season. The women’s 5000m showcased top-class performers at the Golden Gala, including Tirunesh Dibaba, Meseret Defar, Almaz Ayana, Hellen Obiri and, most recently, Beatrice Chebet. No European athlete has won the event since 1996.
22:04 – 110m Hurdles Men
World Record: Aries Merritt (USA) 12.80 | Brussels, September 7, 2012
Diamond League Record: Aries Merritt (USA) 12.80 | Brussels, September 7, 2012
Meeting Record: Allen Johnson (USA) 13.01 | Rome, July 7, 1999
Meeting Record: Omar McLeod (JAM) 13.01 | Florence, June 10, 2021
2026 World Lead: Kendrick Smallwood (USA) 13.04 | Fayetteville, May 29
A thrilling thirteen seconds of action could be enough to rewrite the meeting record books. Despite the absence of European champion Lorenzo Simonelli, the race remains stacked with elite talent. Every athlete in the field has won a global medal, with the exceptions of Japanese record holder Rachid Muratake and American Jamal Britt, winner of the first two Diamond League stages in China, who have both been running consistently fast times throughout the season. The entire podium from the World Indoor Championships in Toruń will be present: Poland’s Jakub Szymański, Spain’s Enrique Llopis and American Trey Cunningham. They will be joined by Jamaica’s Orlando Bennett and Tyler Mason, silver and bronze at the Worlds in Tokyo, Switzerland’s Jason Joseph and France’s Just Kwaou-Mathey.
22:15 – 400m Women
World Record: Marita Koch (GDR) 47.60 | Canberra, October 6, 1985
Diamond League Record: Nickisha Pryce (JAM) 48.57 | London, July 20, 2024
Meeting Record: Marita Koch (GDR) 49.17 | Rome, September 10, 1986
2026 World Lead: Dejanea Oakley (JAM) 48.92 | Auburn, May 16
One of the most anticipated moments of the entire meeting sees British 800m superstar Keely Hodgkinson testing herself over the one-lap distance against some of the world’s best quarter-milers. The World Indoor Championships podium is fully represented, featuring Czech athlete Lurdes Gloria Manuel, Olympic bronze medallist Natalia Bukowiecka of Poland, and Dutch athlete Lieke Klaver. For Hodgkinson, whose personal best is 51.61, the race provides a valuable opportunity to sharpen her speed as she prepares for an assault on the outdoor 800m world record. Also in the field are Norway’s Henriette Jæger, Jamaica’s Nickisha Pryce, Britain’s Amber Anning and Italy’s Anna Polinari.
22:27 – 200m Women
World Record: Florence Griffith-Joyner (USA) 21.34 | Seoul, September 29, 1988
Diamond League Record: Shericka Jackson (JAM) 21.48 | Brussels, September 8, 2023
Meeting Record: Shericka Jackson (JAM) 21.91 | Rome, June 9, 2022
2026 World Lead: Julien Alfred (LCA) 21.86 | Austin, April 30
If the earlier events were not enough, the women’s 200m delivers one of the most exciting clashes of the season. Tokyo World Championships star Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, who captured gold in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay, will face Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred over 200m for the first time. The race also features former world champion Dina Asher-Smith, world silver medallist Amy Hunt, defending Golden Gala winner Anavia Battle, Spanish record holder Jaël Bestué, France’s European bronze Hélène Parisot, and rising Italian talent Elisa Valensin, making her Diamond League debut.
22:37 – 1500m Women
World Record: Faith Kipyegon (KEN) 3:48.68 | Eugene, July 5, 2025
Diamond League Record: Faith Kipyegon (KEN) 3:48.68 | Eugene, July 5, 2025
Meeting Record: Faith Kipyegon (KEN) 3:49.11 | Florence, June 2, 2023
2026 World Lead: Birke Haylom (ETH) 3:55.56 | Keqiao, May 16
Another British star headlines the penultimate event of the evening. World indoor champion Georgia Hunter Bell, 800m silver medallist at the World Championships in Tokyo and runner-up at the European Championships in Rome, leads a highly competitive field. Joining her are fellow Britons Laura Muir and Revee Walcott-Nolan, European bronze medallist Agathe Guillemot of France, Australian Abbey Caldwell who won in Xiamen, Ethiopian contenders Birke Haylom, Worknesh Mesele and Saron Berhe, Americans Nikki Hiltz, world indoor bronze in Toruń, and Heather MacLean, Poland’s Klaudia Kazimierska and Weronika Lizakowska, Salomé Afonso of Portugal and Italy’s Ludovica Cavalli and Gaia Sabbatini.
22:52 – 100m Men
World Record: Usain Bolt (JAM) 9.58 | Berlin, August 16, 2009
Diamond League Record: Yohan Blake (JAM) 9.69 | Lausanne, August 23, 2012
Meeting Record: Justin Gatlin (USA) 9.75 | Rome, June 4, 2015
2026 World Lead: Kanyinsola Ajayi (NGR) 9.84 | Lexington, May 29
The final event of the evening could well be the most anticipated of the entire Golden Gala. Three Olympic champions will line up side by side at the Stadio Olimpico. Marcell Jacobs returns to the Golden Gala after a two-year absence to face Noah Lyles, multiple world champion over 200m and Olympic gold medallist in Paris, making his first Golden Gala appearance in the 100m. Joining them is Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, Olympic champion over 200m and winner of the 2024 Golden Gala. The field also includes the last two world indoor 60m champions, Britain’s Jeremiah Azu and American sensation Jordan Anthony, South African record holder Akani Simbine, Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala, who has already broken the 10-second barrier five times this season, Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme, and Jamaican sprint star Ackeem Blake. A spectacular showdown is expected to bring the curtain down on the 2026 Golden Gala Pietro Mennea in unforgettable fashion.