Andy Diaz Hernandez's journey with Italia Team couldn’t have got off to a better start.

At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, during his first appearance in the national shirt, Diaz faced a daunting challenge but celebrated like a champion: claiming the bronze medal in the triple jump. His achievement equals the result of Giuseppe Gentile at Mexico City 1968 and, more significantly, mirrors that of his mentor and coach, Fabrizio Donato, who also won bronze in London 2012.

Diaz (photo by Luca Pagliaricci/CONI), who secured his spot in the final with the 12th and last qualifying jump (16.79), raised the bar right from the start, landing a jump of 17.63 metres. He followed this with a 17.33, passed on two jumps due to physical discomfort, recorded one foul, and then cemented his podium finish with a 17.64-metre jump, finishing behind Spain’s Jordan Alejandro Diaz Fortun (17.86) and Portugal’s Pedro Pichardo (17.84).

It means that Italia Team is celebrating its 36th medal of these Olympic Games, equalling the hauls from the Los Angeles 1932 and Rome 1960 Games.