29 May-2 June. Top international athletes come to Rome.

The 36th edition of the Golden Gala, Italy’s annual track and field event, is currently underway at Rome’s Olympic Stadium, with a daily programme in place until 2 June.

As usual the sporting event is a who’s-who from the world of international athletics and this year's stars include Ethiopian long-distance runner Almaz Ayana, American sprinter Justin Gatlin, British long jumper Greg Rutherford, Czech javelin thrower Barbora Špotáková, and Kenyan steeplechaser Ezekiel Kemboi.

The Golden Gala began in 1980 and was dedicated to the memory of champion Italian sprinter Pietro Mennea three years ago. The Rome event 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.