Five champions crowned on a thrilling opening night
by 11th August 2026
What. A. Start. ??
The Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships burst into life on Monday night, with five champions crowned, huge performances and plenty of drama.
Jakob Ingebrigtsen is back!
In his first race of the year following Achilles surgery, the Norwegian superstar powered to his fourth European 5000m title – and seventh European gold overall.
Amy Hunt brought the house down.
The home favourite struck gold in the women’s 100m, winning in 11.00 ahead of Poland’s Ewa Swoboda and continuing Britain’s brilliant recent record in the event.
The shot put titles belonged to the defending champions. Jessica Schilder defied a thumb injury to launch a massive 20.73m final-round throw and claim her third successive European title, while Leonardo Fabbri successfully defended his men’s crown with 22.21m.
And Norway struck again as Henriette Jaeger produced a stunning 49.42 anchor leg to overhaul Great Britain and the Netherlands and win mixed 4x400m gold in a championship record 3:09.62.
Five champions. One unforgettable opening night.
Coming up on Day 2...
And there’s plenty more to come in Birmingham, with five more titles on the line tomorrow evening.
Lamont Marcell Jacobs goes for history in the men’s 100m as he targets a third successive European title – a feat achieved by only two men before him.
Miltiadis Tentoglou has history in his sights too, chasing a remarkable fourth straight European long jump crown against a deep field including Bozhidar Saraboyukov, Simon Ehammer, Francesco Inzoli and Luka Boskovic.
And don’t miss the women’s 800m heats. Femke Bol makes her championship debut in her new event, while two-time defending champion and home favourite Keely Hodgkinson begins her campaign in the opening heat.
Day 1 delivered. Day 2 is ready to raise the bar again.