Top international athletes come to Rome.

The 37th edition of the Golden Gala, Italy’s annual track and field event, takes place at Rome’s Olympic Stadium on 8 June.

As usual the sporting event is a who’s-who from the world of international athletics and this year’s stars include American hurdler Aries Merritt; Ethiopian long-distance runner Almaz Ayana; American sprinters Justin Gatlin and Ronnie Baker; and Ethiopian middle- and long-distance runner Genzebe Dibaba Keneni.

The Golden Gala began in 1980 and was dedicated to the memory of the late champion Italian sprinter Pietro Mennea four years ago. The Rome event, which will be broadcast live on Italian television, is part of the Diamond League, an annual series of 14 track and field meetings for top athletes.

Over the course of its history, the gala has set eight world records, of which the 1,500-m (1998) and mile records (1999) by Morocco’s Hicham El Guerrouj still stand.

For full details including ticket prices and programme, see the Golden Gala website.