At the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Italy stunned the world by winning 40 medals, a record for the Azzurri since they have been participating in the Olympics. Above all, it amazed with its five victories in athletics, the queen of Olympic sports.

From July 26, in Paris, for the third time in history, athletes from around the world will compete to enter the Olympus of sports, thus to become their nation's heroes. Italy has high hopes of replicating Tokyo's success and even surpassing it.

The most reliable forecasts assign the Azzurri a haul of 46 medals and a final position between 6th and 8th place in the medal table, which, surely will be won by the United States, the all-time dominators of the Olympic Games.

Which athletes from the predictions are likely to win a gold or Olympic medal?

On the list of favorites there is one about whom there is little doubt. He is Jannik Sinner, the world's number one tennis player, who has stated several times since the beginning of the year that Olympic gold is one of his main goals this season.

The other candidate for victory is Gianmarco Tamberi, reigning Olympic, world and European champion. He is the athlete to beat in the high jump, and since 2022, in major international outdoor competitions, no one has been able to surpass him.

Staying in track and field, Marcell Jacobs, the American-born Olympic and European 100-meter champion, is among the favorites for an Olympic encore. It is true that American and Jamaican sprinters are going strong in meets, but Jacobs' progression over the past two months suggests that he will be ready to surprise everyone in Paris. Jacobs then, along with his relay teammates, Tortu, Patta, Desalu and the phenomenal new Italian sprinter Ali, are the favorites to win the 4x100.

Another super favorite for gold is marcher Antonella Palmisano, who is in great shape and wants to defend the gold she won in Tokyo.

From athletics to swimming, with at least two sure candidates for gold: backstroker Thomas Ceccon and 800 and 1500 freestyle queen Simona Quadarella. The men's relays, the 4x100 freestyle and the mixed relay, are also among the favorites for victory.

Cycling is the other discipline that Italy has its sights set on. The favorite for gold is Ganna, the world's fastest cyclist, who in addition to the individual race has a great chance to confirm the Olympic title won in Tokyo in the team event, along with Lamon, Consonni and Milan.

Also candidates to hit the encore are Vittorio Dell'Aquila, the undisputed king of the -58kg taekwondo, and sailing pair Ruggero Tita-Caterina Banti, the Nacra 17 duo that has won the last four consecutive world titles.

One sport where Italy has always won at the Olympics is fencing, and there are favorites for gold in Paris as well. Among men, the number one candidate is Tommaso Marini in foil, while among women, again in foil, Alice Volpi and Arianna Errigo are vying for individual gold, and along with Martina Favaretto and Francesca Palumbo for the team event.

Dreams of glory also for rhythmic gymnastics with star Sofia Raffaeli, for boxing with Aziz Abbes Mouhiidine in the heavyweight and Irma Testa in the featherweight, for judo with Alice Bellandi in the under 78 kg category, and for sport climbing with speed world champion Matteo Zurloni.

Last but not least, the team sports, with the national women's volleyball team coached by Argentine "guru" Julio Velasco and led by superstar Paola Egonu, who just won at the Nations League, starting as favorites for the final victory. 

These are the favorite Italian athletes, but with each Olympiad new ones emerge, hitherto unknown to all but the insiders. That is why in the next issue of the magazine, the August issue, we will return to talk about the Paris Olympics, to see how many of the favorites will have confirmed hopes, and how many new champions have won medals wearing Italy's jersey.