And now can we still do without this Ali? The question is inevitable after what happened in Turku: two Italians running the 100 in less than 10 seconds had never seen each other. And if the 9”92 of Marcell Jacobs it is the return of a champion to the world elite, the 9”96 of Chituru Ali it is the beginning of a journey yet to be completed. And the initial question? That connects to the triumphalists European Championships in Rome, where Italy was in such an overflowing catch-all format that they could afford not to field Ali in the 4×100 relay despite the Fiamme Gialle sprinter’s silver in the 100. On the Olimpico track, however, Ali had run in 10″05 while now, a few days later, there is already talk of almost a tenth of a second less. Just over a month before the opening ceremony of the Paris Games (with athletics scheduled for 1 to 11 August), that question is answered Filippo Di Mulo, the professor from Catania who brought Italian speed to the podiums of the Olympics (gold), World Championships (silver) and European Championships (gold). «In Rome Chituru did not run the relay to comply with her and her coach’s request – explains Di Mulo – it was a painful choice because one does not give up the European vice champion lightly».
And will Italy do without Ali in Paris too?
«For Paris I have all my will to try to deploy him».
Is there time and space to include him in an already well-established quartet?
«To achieve this, two conditions must be met».
Which?
«The athlete’s willingness to try the changes is needed. And then he must agree to run any fraction».
Do you believe that these conditions can come true?
«The dialogue with Ali and his staff is constant and excellent. I have known Claudio Licciardello, Chituru’s coach, since he was a boy. He grew up training with me in Catania and we talk very very often. I am convinced that we will be able to play to the best of our ability».
In his previous experiences with the Italian relay team, at the World Championships in Eugene and at the European Championships in Munich in 2022, Ali always ran in the last leg. Is this his natural placement?
«Those were relays with several absences. As I said, one of the conditions for joining the group is that he is available to race in any stage. Then you certainly need to check how he copes with the changes. This is why we need to see him at work together with others».
When is the pre-Olympic meeting of relay runners scheduled?
«The appointment is at Acqua Acetosa from 21st to 25th July, but the dates could vary in consideration of the athletes’ commitments in the Diamond League».
Having dipped under 10 seconds for the first time, what more can Ali do?
«There is definitely margin. This season I imagine him dropping very close to 9″90. And in the future he can do even more: he is an athlete with enormous skills. He has entered a new sporting dimension».
And what does Jacobs’ 9″92 tell us about the Olympics?
«Marcell won the European Championships with minimal effort and his condition is improving week by week. If he continues like this in Paris he will be at the top, ready to defend his 100m title».
After the gold with which he greeted Rome, what objective will the men’s 4x100m race in Paris with?
«According to the numbers, we know we can do it again. Of course, now the United States Olympic Trials will revolutionize the seasonal rankings, but the USA always fields the fastest without training on gear changes. We, on the other hand, always race with a team that, thanks to the work on passing the baton, goes faster than the mere sum of individual times. This is why we will go to Paris to try to win».
