Overview
- A Birmingham 2026 promotional graphic featuring Italy’s Tokyo 2025 medalists omitted Antonella Palmisano’s 35 km silver, prompting her public complaint.
- The post was removed after Palmisano phoned FIDAL president Stefano Mei, who said the federation had reposted Birmingham’s image by default and missed the error.
- Palmisano cited a broader pattern, saying the FIDAL technical director left her medal out of the team’s press conference summary and that it was not listed on the federation website.
- She pointed to a similar slight during the Rome 2024 European Championships promotions and updated her Instagram bio to highlight her titles and medals.
- Mei denied any favoritism and said the issue was corrected, while fellow race walkers María Pérez and Massimo Stano voiced support and no formal inquiry or policy change has been announced.