Their 36-strong delegation was Italy's smallest since 1983. Andrew Howe (long jump), Antonietta Di Martino (high jump) and walkers such as Ivano Brugnetti and Alex Schwazer were the main medal hopes. Howe, Di Martino and Schwazer won Italy's two silver and bronze medals.
Italy national athletics team ranked 6th (with 13 finalists) in the IAAF placing table. Rank obtained by assigning eight points in the first place and so on to the eight finalists.[1]