Rome 2026: Five things to look out for

The Wanda Diamond League's Golden Gala Pietro Mennea takes place in Rome on Thursday at the Stadio Olimpico, marking the series' first European stop of 2026. Noah Lyles, who made history last year by winning a record sixth Diamond League title, begins his season in the 100m against Letsile Tebogo, Akani Simbine, and Marcell Jacobs. In the women's 200m, world champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, who won triple gold at the Tokyo World Championships, faces 100m Olympic champion Julien Alfred, who holds six Diamond League victories.