The nominations for the European Athlete of the Year 2026 have been revealed: here are the 5 Italians in the running (and who would you vote for?)

European Athletics has officially revealed the list of ten candidates for the prestigious European Athlete of the Year 2026 award who made us dream most with his exploits in the last athletics season. As for the men, the Swedish champion Armand Duplantis appears at the starting line as the big favorite on the eve, thanks to yet another world record in the pole vault set at 6.31 meters at the World Classic in Uppsala, in addition to the titles of European champion, world indoor champion and Ultimate Champion.

Trying to undermine the Swede’s dominance are three spearheads of the Italian team: Gianmarco Tamberi, Andy Diaz and Massimo Stano. Gimbo ignited the summer with his fourth European gold in the high jump and success at the Ultimate with the season’s best world performance of 2.37 metres, while Andy Diaz dominated the triple jump by clocking a memorable 18.15 at the European Championships in Birmingham and winning the fourth diamond of his career. Completing the Italian men’s trio is Massimo Stano, winner of the marathon walk with the new continental discipline record. Other challengers include the Greek Miltiadis Tentoglou, the Norwegians Karsten Warholm and Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the Hungarian Bence Halasz, the Swiss Simon Ehammer and the Slovenian Kristjan Ceh.

The female nominations

The Italian movement also plays a leading role in the women’s category thanks to the nominations of Nadia Battocletti and Sofia Fiorini. The Trentino cross-country skier reaps the fruits of a memorable year enriched by the European gold double in the 5000 and 10000 metres, the indoor world title in the 3000 meters and the Italian record in the 1500 metres, while Sofia Fiorini rightfully enters among the ten finalists thanks to the historic gold and world record in the walking marathon.

However, the Italians will have to contend with formidable competitors such as the Swiss Audrey Werro, author of an exceptional 1:53.70 over 800 metres, the British Amy Hunt, winner of four continental golds, the Ukrainian Yaroslava Mahuchikh, world leader in the high jump with 2.03 metres, and the other candidates Emma Zapletalova, Henriette Jaeger, Maria Perez and Jessica Schilder.

The large blue representation among the rising stars

The nomination picture is completed with the category Rising Starwhere Italy lands an exceptional trio with the U20 world champion Daniele Inzoli, the sprinter Kelly Doualla and the U20 world record holder in the march Serena di Fabio. Voting will remain open until September 28, with the vote of the public, media, federal members and experts each accounting for 25% of the final verdict, the narrow podium of which will be revealed on October 1 ahead of the awards ceremony set for October 24 at the Golden Tracks Awards in Lausanne.