. Having parents who were international athletes meant that Furlani and Iapichino were both exposed to the sport from an early age. And that, in turn, has led to them both breaking world U20 long jump records and claiming major medals in the past few years.

Most recently, they both delighted the home crowds by securing silver at the European Championships in Rome – Furlani improving his own world U20 record to 8.38m and Iapichino again threatening the seven-metre mark with 6.94m.

Larissa Iapichino celebrates her European silver medal win in Rome (© Getty Images) "It is an important step. I am still growing in every aspect, but I am on the right path," Furlani explained after finishing runner-up to Olympic and world champion Miltiadis Tentoglou at the Stadio Olimpico. "I made some small technical errors, but I just have to stay focused and continue to work well.

A champion like Tentoglou won and that is the beauty of this sport, a challenge that spurs both of us on." Iapichino was also left motivated for more, after achieving her third best ever jump to finish second to another multiple global gold medallist, Malaika Mihambo. "I had a consistently strong performance, perhaps my best series ever," said the 21-year-old.

"But I really wanted a jump over seven metres." From basketball to the jumps At the age of 19, Furlani – the world indoor silver medallist in Glasgow in March – already has great experience in the sport. "I grew up in an athletics family," said the teenage.