The Italian athletics community is preparing to welcome two newly-crowned European champions to Brescia, as sprinter Amy Hunt and shot-putter Leonardo Fabbri have both confirmed they will compete at the Banca Valsabbina Grand Prix on August 30. Their announcements came within hours of their gold medal performances at the European Championships in Birmingham, bringing continental champions to one of Italy's most prestigious summer athletics meetings.
Hunt, the 24-year-old British sprinter who trains in Padova under coach Marco Airale, will run the 100 m at the Gabre Gabric stadium. Fabbri, Italy's dominant force in the shot put, will be joined by his training partner and fellow medalist Zane Weir, setting up a rematch of the European podium on home soil.
Why This Matters for Italian Fans
• Elite athletics on display with Italian connection: Hunt's training base in Padova gives her a local following, while Fabbri and Weir represent Italy's excellence in throwing events. The Brescia meeting sits between the Zurich Diamond League and the Brussels finale, making it a strategic showcase for top competitors.
• Live television coverage: SkySport will broadcast the event live starting at 14:00, offering full coverage of 14 disciplines. The shot put competition will feature a dedicated tribuna positioned directly alongside the throwing circle, allowing spectators to watch technique up close.
Hunt's European Breakthrough
Amy Hunt claimed her first major individual gold medal at senior level with victory in the 100 m at Birmingham, clocking 11.00 seconds on the opening day of championships. The breakthrough came after years of steady progression—she won gold with Great Britain's 4x100 m relay at the Rome European Championships in 2024, secured silver at the Paris Olympics in the same event, and won silver in the 200 m at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo with a personal best of 22.08 seconds. Earlier this year, she won silver at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with 10.98 seconds before claiming European gold. Her recent form has been consistently strong, with a personal best of 10.97 seconds set in Stockholm just weeks before Birmingham.
Fabbri Doubles European Glory with Dominance
Leonardo Fabbri's performance in Birmingham reinforced his position as Europe's premier shot putter. The 26-year-old from Bagno a Ripoli, near Florence, won his second consecutive European title with a throw of 22.31 m, establishing control from the first round. The victory follows his world-leading mark of 22.74 m at the Eugene Diamond League in early July and 22.43 m at the Italian Championships. His personal record stands at 22.98 m, and he has now thrown beyond 22 m in four of his last five competitions.
Fabbri deliberately committed to the Brescia appearance before Birmingham, viewing it as momentum-building for a banner season. Alongside him will be Zane Weir, who trains with Fabbri in Schio, in the Veneto region. Both will bring their recent European success to the Grand Prix stage.
What This Means for Brescia and Italian Athletics
The Banca Valsabbina Grand Prix Brescia has established itself as a key fixture in the post-Olympics calendar. Now in its third edition, the meeting holds World Athletics Continental Tour Silver status, placing it just below the Diamond League tier. The August 30 date positions it strategically for athletes maintaining competition rhythm without logistical strain.
The event will feature 14 disciplines—7 men's and 7 women's—split between track and field, with 9 on the track and 5 in the throwing and jumping areas. The program includes Italian national record-holder Francesco Pernici (800 m), and runs from 14:00 with potential adjustments for technical requirements.
A Late-Season Highlight
For Brescia residents and Italian athletics fans, August 30 offers a rare opportunity to see world-class athletics up close without traveling to a Diamond League city. With European champions Hunt and Fabbri headlining and SkySport providing comprehensive coverage, the meeting is shaping up to be one of the highlights of the domestic season.
