Marcell Jacobs Has Waited a Long Time to Prove the Doubters Wrong

Marcell Jacobs of Italy is the reigning 100-meter Olympic gold medalist.Don’t miss a moment at the Paris Olympics. Sign up for our daily email to receive the biggest highlights, the latest medal count and the stories you won't see on TV.

The strict security protocols governing the movements of President Sergio Mattarella of Italy dictate that he is not permitted to appear in the same location repeatedly. He is, in this respect and probably this respect alone, like lightning: He is not supposed to strike twice.

In rare circumstances, the rules can be bent. So last month, Mr. Mattarella was in attendance twice at track and field’s European Championships in Rome: once for the final of the men’s…