European Athletics Championships Begin in Birmingham

The 2026 European Athletics Championships commenced on Monday, August 10, at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium, marking the first time the United Kingdom has hosted the outdoor continental championships. The event, which runs through Sunday, August 16, has drawn 1,645 athletes from 49 countries to compete for medals across 24 events for men and women, plus two mixed events.

The opening day featured a packed schedule of qualifying rounds and finals. Five gold medals were awarded on the first evening: in the women's shot put, men's shot put, men's 5,000 meters, mixed 4x400 meter relay, and women's 100 meters. The men's 100 meters competition is scheduled to conclude on Tuesday, August 11, while the pole vault, featuring Swedish star Mondo Duplantis, is set for the final day on Sunday, August 16.

The championships have attracted a field of world-class talent, including Olympic and world champions. Among the headline names are Duplantis, a two-time Olympic pole vault champion; Norwegian middle-distance runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen; Dutch hurdler Femke Bol; and British 800-meter Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson. Hodgkinson is aiming for her third consecutive European title in the 800...