The FIDAL president puts an end to the controversy: “We’ll go back to working together; Marcell will be given the best possible conditions to win”

Rome woke up yesterday in the grip of a cold snap. Not him. When we meet him in the morning at his FIDAL office, Stefano Mei is cheerful, beaming. “I’m coming off a wonderful day.” The reference is not so much to the closure of the proceedings initiated against him by Pietro Mennea’s widow (“All settled”), but rather to the renewed harmony with Marcell Jacobs.

President, what happened?

“We spoke on Wednesday evening and there was an important clarification. I’m absolutely delighted. We’ll be able to go back to working together in a coordinated way, doing everything possible to put Marcell in a position to achieve the results he deserves. I believe he has understood my absolute good faith; clearly, there are choices to be made, but these are choices we can address if there’s a way to talk. In his case, there was a misunderstanding due in part to the significant decision to train in America. We had communication difficulties—after all, he’s on the other side of the ocean, so everything is more complex. Now let’s start over, with a fresh mindset.“

Tell the truth—how did it make you feel to read Jacobs’ bitter words about the Federation’s decision to demote him?

”It’s clear that I was a bit disappointed, partly because—perhaps due to the distance and time zone—we weren’t even able to discuss a possible alternative solution. Let’s remember that, fortunately, the number of elite Italian athletes is growing, while the money we receive is more or less always the same. The budget is what it is; I have to manage everyone, and I try to do so as fairly as possible. On the sponsorship front, I’ve increased revenue from 400,000 euros in cash in 2021 to 3 million today—what more can I do? Keep in mind that since I arrived, I’ve also pushed for a thorough spending review of everything not dedicated to preparing our national team: I knew that, even from a political standpoint, I had a lot riding on the Tokyo Games. I’m not saying those five gold medals are my doing—you can’t change the system in a few months—but from the very start, I made it clear to the athletes that they could count on us. It’s no coincidence that the results keep coming.”

Getting back to Jacobs, no hard feelings?

“Absolutely not; the disappointment I mentioned lasted only a moment—I’m just not the type to take it out on athletes. I was an athlete myself, and I know exactly how it feels when you feel abandoned, when things don’t go as you’d like despite the sacrifices you make. Marcell is coming off a difficult year; it’s understandable that he’s a bit upset, and I have no problem with him venting. Now we’ll try to give him all the help we can, even though the situation isn’t easy, given his coach’s position isn’t entirely clear.”

In his case, there was a misunderstanding partly due to his significant decision to train in America. We had communication difficulties

Stefano Mei

How are things between you?

“As soon as he returns to Italy from the United States, we’ll meet and together figure out how to support him. One thing must be clear: if Jacobs wasn’t included among the elite athletes, it’s not because we wanted him to quit, perhaps to save money. I know this may seem like an unsolicited clarification, but I hear all sorts of things, so it’s better to be transparent. I believe in Marcell; he’s an invaluable asset to us, and we’ll stand by him just as much—if not more—than before.”

So the focus is on Los Angeles 2028.

“I’m glad he’s set a long-term plan, but if I were him, I’d try to win the European Championships again first. Obviously, it’s not the Olympics, but it’s still another prestigious achievement for his medal collection, which, let’s not forget, isn’t made up solely of two Olympic golds: Marcell has won a World Championship and an Indoor European Championship, two European Championships, and a World silver in the 4×100, and he did it even when he wasn’t feeling his best. In Paris, he ran 9.85 at age 29. He’s a top-notch athlete, and I agree with him when he says he’s not at 10.20—he looked good in the relay. If he settles between 9.80 and 9.90, he can still make a run for Los Angeles. I’ll say it again: I believe in him just as much as I believe in Tamberi. It’s very unlikely that both of them will win a medal, but if they put their minds to it, I’m sure they can achieve great things. And anyway, if we’re talking about Jacobs and the Olympics, I’d like to say one more thing.”

I believe in him just as I believe in Tamberi. It’s very unlikely that both of them will win a medal, but if they put their minds to it…

Stefano Mei

You’re welcome.

“On that August 1, 2021, in Tokyo, I experienced the most beautiful moment of my life, after the birth of my children. I recently saw photos and videos of the celebrations; I truly felt like Alice in Wonderland! I couldn’t believe it—just like every Italian, I’m sure—and I can’t help but be grateful to a person, a great athlete, capable of giving me such joy. He is one of the great legends of Italian athletics—in fact, I’d say of all sports. I won’t forget him.”

Listening to you, one often gets the impression that you believe athletics and FIDAL don’t receive the recognition they deserve?

“I do think that sometimes. I’ve been in athletics for fifty years and I’ve never seen so much malice. From the very first day we took office, there have been attacks, even in the face of results never seen before. They managed to complain about the three medals in Paris, despite the five fourth-place finishes and 17 finalists. They take it out on the young athletes, who really don’t deserve it. We’ve even won two European Cups… Who am I upset with? With a certain segment of the press—fortunately a minority—and with those who were leaders in the past and continue to defend a system that has failed.”

There’s also the issue of registered members.

“Some say there aren’t that many, but we can’t exactly go after the millions of enthusiasts running in public parks… Other disciplines have it easier in this regard; if you need to register to access a private space, it’s simpler. And I don’t even make people register three times if they want to do running, high jump, and long jump; other federations even take advantage of these, let’s say, opportunities. There’s another thing I want to say, which in a way concerns someone I’m very close to: I’m truly perplexed by the fact that the Pietro Mennea Stadio dei Marmi is now practically destined for tennis. We’re talking about a facility dedicated to the greatest star of Italian athletics; I don’t understand why we’re heading in that direction. But today I don’t want to dwell on bitterness; it’s better to think about the many positive things in this new year. Starting with the future together with Marcell Jacobs.”