Italy’s Relay Triumph: The Secret Algorithm and the Numbers-Obsessed Coach Behind the Victory

The meticulous work of Filippo Di Mulo has revolutionized Italy’s relay success by turning baton exchanges into a precise science driven by a sprawling 25-year-old database.

PARIS, France — Filippo Di Mulo, often compared to Billy Beane’s ‘Moneyball’ strategy, has elevated Italy’s relay teams to new heights through an intricate system based on mathematical precision. His methods have led Italy to significant achievements, including the 4×100 gold in Tokyo and a strong medal record at the European and World Championships.

Di Mulo’s algorithm takes into account various metrics like each athlete’s speed, stride length, and foot size to determine optimal positioning within the 30-meter exchange zone. This attention to detail has enabled Italy to excel against faster teams like the Americans and Jamaicans. As Lorenzo Patta, the lead-off sprinter at the Tokyo 4×100 event, notes, “We’re probably the best at the exchanges.”

During an interview, Di Mulo emphasized that no system is perfect, as athletes are human and prone to errors, yet his adaptable approach accounts for these inconsistencies. By balancing scientific data with individual athlete characteristics, he fine-tunes the team strategy meticulously. This has qualified Italy for all five relay events at the upcoming Paris Games.

The value of Di Mulo’s approach is affirmed by athletes like Zaynab Dossu, Italy’s leading female sprinter, who highlights his ability to consider every detail. Their belief in his methods enhances their performance, making Di Mulo an indispensable part of Italy’s relay success.

Integration of data and athletic performance is not new to Di Mulo; he saw promising results as early as 2010. He calculated performance indices by comparing individual bests against relay times, finding significant efficiency improvements. This method was validated when athletes like Marcell Jacobs won individual gold, further boosting team performance.

Patta’s unique skill in baton exchanges has also been vital, leading to remarkably quick exchange-zone times that increased efficiency. Perfecting these exchanges requires intense practice, including up to half an hour of repetitive handoffs during each training session, sometimes done with eyes closed to enhance muscle memory and precision.

Despite being involved in the training and race metrics for decades, Di Mulo’s database remains a closely guarded secret. Even his athletes are not privy to its specifics, ensuring a psychological edge and maintaining the integrity of the system.

The Italian team continues to evolve. With recent strong performances from sprinters such as Chituru Ali and the possibility of lineup changes, they aim to defy expectations and prove their excellence in Paris.