A summer trip to Italy and more high-quality track and field? Now that’s amore!

Just as Audrey Hepburn used her Roman holiday to blow off her princess duties and have a little fun, dozens of Olympic medalists are headed to the 44th Golden Gala to let loose and go for broke now that the hardest part of the season is done. That isn’t to say that they won’t give 110 percent, but now that, for some, the weight of Olympic expectations is finally lifted and, for others, the disappointment of Paris has been redirected into a late-summer revenge tour, there’s no reason not to risk it all for greatness.

We’ll be on world record watch in multiple events for sure, as several reigning record holders will look to channel their championship fitness into another big contract bonus, but we’re also in for some incredible head-to-head racing. In races where the Olympic champion is absent – notably the men’s 100m, women’s 200m, and men’s 5000m – the door is wide open for someone to say “hey, remember me?” in the most dramatic fashion possible.

You can tune in on Peacock or follow along with us on social channels on Friday, August 30 at 3pm, but in the meantime, here are the top events to watch and why you should care:

Women’s 1500m: Faith Kipyegon is back in action on the Diamond League circuit, and that usually means one thing: we’re in for a stupid-fast time, and the 30-year-old Kenyan triple Olympic champ is going to make it look easy. She’ll face something of a challenge from Jessica Hull and the speedy Ethiopian duo of Freweyni Hailu and Birke Haylom, but in all likelihood the final lap will once again be Faith vs. the clock and the history books.

Men’s 100m: This event is stacked with talent as Olympic silver and bronze medalists Kishane Thompson and Fred Kerley take on the likes of Tokyo Olympic champ Marcell Jacobs, World Indoor champ Christian Coleman, and Olympic 200m champ Letsile Tebogo. Kerley seems to be trending strongest in the right direction, but Thompson and Tebogo in particular will surely be tough to beat.

Women’s Steeplechase: All three medalists from Paris return to do battle, and with the possibility of 2022 World champ Norah Jeruto regaining her best form as well, a winning time close to 8:50 isn’t out of the question. Winfred Yavi has to be the favorite given her World/Olympic titles and fastest PB in the field, but anything can happen in the famously-unpredictable event. After an Olympics to forget for Team USA, Courtney Wayment and Val Constien are back in action alongside fellow American Gabbi Jennings looking for some redemption.

Men’s Discus: Five 70-meter throwers competing head-to-head should be must-see TV… which is why it’s a shame that this event starts 90 minutes before the TV window begins. World record holder Mykolas Alekna was denied gold by Jamaican Rojé Stona, but Alekna is probably still favored in their rematch as he’s been on a tear in Diamond League competition all year. Former global champs Kristjan Čeh and Daniel Ståhl will want to get back on top after missing the podium in Paris, so don’t count them out either.

Women’s Pole Vault: Unlike the men’s pole vault, no one is setting world records left and right in this event, but that’s what makes it so interesting this year as virtually every DL-level event has been closely contested for the win. Aussie Olympic champ Nina Kennedy is riding a five-win streak, but all of those wins have been hard-fought and competitors like bronze medalist Alysha Newman, American record holder Sandi Morris, and Paris 4th-placer Angelica Moser will likely give her a run for her money.