She is one of Italy’s youngest and more promising middle-distance runners. Gaia Sabbatini, 24 years old, from Teramo, is running fast towards the European Athletics Championships to be held in Rome from 7 to 12 June 2024 (tickets on sale here).
“It will be a very important competition – says Gaia – not only because it is at an international level, but also because it will take place in Italy. I am particularly excited about this. I’m preparing for this date and then I will think about the Olympic Games”.
After setting an excellent personal best in 1500 m at the Diamond League last July (4:01.24), she triumphed in the team medley relay at the European Cross Championships in Venaria Reale in 2022. “It is a magical moment for Italian athletics”, insists Sabbatini, who won gold in the 1500 m at the European U-23 Championships in 2021, “we have a very good technical structure, led by two captains like Tamberi and Palmisano.”
Always very active on social media, she can be considered an Italian athletics “influencer”. “My dream is to publish a specific photo, but I am superstitious and will not say which one”.
The next step is the Roma 2024 European Athletics Championships, a city that is like a second home for Gaia. “I’ve been living in the Capital for six years. I’m often in Ostia (the closest beach to Rome), where is the pine forest where I spend most of my time running, and I am looking to compete at the Olympic Stadium where I have been for the Golden Gala Meeting, which I attend as a child. I can’t wait to run there again”.
Like her, other Italian athletes are hoping to do well at the Foro Italico Park next June, but Sabbatini is not afraid of the competition. “Having strong athletes at the Italian level charges me a lot. It represents one more reason to do better, we motivate each other on. the movement is growing more and more. We are going to see some big things”.
Credit photo: Colombo\FIDAL