European Athletics Championships Explained

European Athletics Championships
Logosize:190px
Status:active
Genre:sports event
Frequency:biennial
Location:various
First:1934
Last:2024
Current:2024
Organised:European Athletic Association

The European Athletics Championships is a biennial (from 2010) athletics event organised by the European Athletic Association and is recognised as the elite continental outdoor athletics championships for Europe.

Editions

First held, for men only, in 1934 in Turin, and separately for women for the first time in Vienna in 1938, the Championships took place every four years following the end of the World War II, with the exception of the 1969 and 1971 editions, becoming a joint men's and women's competition from the third edition in 1946 in Oslo. Since 2010, they have been organised every two years, and when they coincide with the Summer Olympics, the marathon and racewalking events are not contested. From 2016, a half-marathon event has been held in those Olympic years, and both the marathon and half-marathon events held as part of the Championships also function as the principle European elite team events at those distances.

The championships were long dominated by Eastern Bloc countries, especially the Soviet Union and East Germany. About 30 years after the dissolution of both countries, with the 2022 edition, Great Britain & Northern Ireland finally took the lead in the all-time medal table, although that is the case only when predecessor and successor states are not combined (i.e. the Soviet Union and Russia). German athletes, who have historically competed for various national teams (Nazi Germany, West Germany, East Germany and present-day reunified Germany), have won most gold medals and most medals in total.

In 2018 and 2022, the European Athletics Championships formed part of the quadrennial multi-sport European Championships, a new event designed and held by individual European sports federations. In 2022, European Athletics announced its intention to withdraw from the multi-sport event for 2026.[1] [2]

The 2020 edition set for Charlety Stadium in Paris was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making this the first cancellation of the event since the 1942 championship was abandoned due to World War II. The event was not moved to an alternative date, with Munich continuing as the scheduled host in 2022.[3] [4] [5]

An indoor equivalent, the European Athletics Indoor Championships, is organised by the European Athletic Association in odd numbered years.

While the European Games of 2015 featured athletics, as did the Games in 2023, these events are not editions of the European Athletics Championships. Instead, from 2023, the European Games athletics program consists of alternating editions of the biennial European Athletics Team Championships, a national team championships also arranged by European Athletics which includes European Games medals for individuals.

Notes: ♂ – men, ♀ – women

Edition YearHost CityHost CountryDateVenueEventsNationsAthletesTop of the medal table
style = text-align:center 1 Turin7–9 September style = text-align:center 22 style = text-align:center 23 style = text-align:center 226
2 France3–5 September style = text-align:center 23 style = text-align:center 23 style = text-align:center 272
Germany 17–18 September style = text-align:center 9 style = text-align:center 14 style = text-align:center 80
style = text-align:center 3 Norway22–25 August style = text-align:center 33 style = text-align:center 20 style = text-align:center 353
style = text-align:center 4 23–27 August style = text-align:center 34 style = text-align:center 24 style = text-align:center 454 Great Britain & N.I.
style = text-align:center 5 25–29 August style = text-align:center 35 style = text-align:center 28 style = text-align:center 686
style = text-align:center 6 195819–24 August style = text-align:center 36 style = text-align:center 26 style = text-align:center 626
style = text-align:center 7 12–16 September style = text-align:center 36 style = text-align:center 29 style = text-align:center 670
style = text-align:center 8 196630 August – 4 September style = text-align:center 36 style = text-align:center 30 style = text-align:center 769
style = text-align:center 9 Greece16–21 September style = text-align:center 38 style = text-align:center 30 style = text-align:center 674
style = text-align:center 10 Finland10–15 August Olympiastadionstyle = text-align:center 38 style = text-align:center 29 style = text-align:center 857
style = text-align:center 11 2–8 September style = text-align:center 39 style = text-align:center 29 style = text-align:center 745
style = text-align:center 12 Prague29 August – 3 September style = text-align:center 40 style = text-align:center 29 style = text-align:center 1004
style = text-align:center 13 6–12 September style = text-align:center 41 style = text-align:center 29 style = text-align:center 756
style = text-align:center 14 26–31 August Neckarstadionstyle = text-align:center 43 style = text-align:center 31 style = text-align:center 906
style = text-align:center 15 26 August – 2 September Stadion Poljudstyle = text-align:center 43 style = text-align:center 33 style = text-align:center 952
style = text-align:center 16 7–14 August style = text-align:center 44 style = text-align:center 44 style = text-align:center 1113
style = text-align:center 17 18–23 August style = text-align:center 46 style = text-align:center 44 style = text-align:center 1259 Great Britain & N.I.
style = text-align:center 18 6–11 August style = text-align:center 46 style = text-align:center 48 style = text-align:center 1244
style = text-align:center 19 7–13 August style = text-align:center 47 style = text-align:center 48 style = text-align:center 1288
style = text-align:center 20 27 July – 1 August style = text-align:center 47 style = text-align:center 50 style = text-align:center 1323
style = text-align:center 21 27 June – 1 July Olympiastadionstyle = text-align:center 42 style = text-align:center 50 style = text-align:center 1230
style = text-align:center 22 12–17 August style = text-align:center 47 style = text-align:center 50 style = text-align:center 1439 Great Britain & N.I.
style = text-align:center 23 6–10 July style = text-align:center 44 style = text-align:center 50 style = text-align:center 1329
style = text-align:center 24 2018 7–12 August style = text-align:center 48 style = text-align:center 49style = text-align:center 1439 Great Britain & N.I.
style = text-align:center — 26–30 August style = text-align:center colspan=4Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
style = text-align:center 25 2022 15–21 August style = text-align:center 48 style = text-align:center 48 style = text-align:center 1495 Great Britain & N.I.
style = text-align:center 26 7–12 June style = text-align:center 47 style = text-align:center 48 style = text-align:center 1559
style = text-align:center 27 2026 Birmingham[6] 3–9 August Alexander Stadiumstyle = text-align:center style = text-align:center
style = text-align:center 28 2028 Chorzów[7] 21–27 August style = text-align:center style = text-align:center style = text-align:center

All-time medal table

Updated after the 2024 European Athletics Championships.[8] [9]

Former countries are pointed in italic. Team medals in half marathon and marathon are not included into this table (see European Half Marathon Cup and European Marathon Cup).

As of 2024, Andorra, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Georgia, Gibraltar, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, North Macedonia and San Marino have yet to win a medal. Saar competed once in 1954 European Athletics Championships without winning a medal. FR Yugoslavia competed twice in 1998 and 2002 European Athletics Championships, also without winning a medal.

Championship records

See main article: List of European Athletics Championships records.

Multiple winners

Boldface denotes active athletes and highest medal count among all athletes (including these who not included in these tables) per type.

Discus thrower Sandra Elkasević (Perković) of Croatia holds the record for most gold medals at seven.

Men

RankAthleteCountryEventsFromToGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1 Jakob Ingebrigtsen 2018 2024 6 – – 6
2 1986 1994 5 1 – 6
2006 2014 5 1 – 6
1978 1986 5 1 – 6
5 2010 2018 5 – – 5
6 2010 2014 4 2 2 8
7 Kevin Borlée 2010 2022 4 2 1 7
Matthew Hudson-Smith 2014 2022 4 2 1 7
9 1969 1974 4 1 – 5
Zharnel Hughes 2018 2022 4 1 – 5

Women

RankAthleteCountryEventsFromToGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1 Sandra Elkasević (Perković) 2010 2024 7 – – 7
2 Dina Asher-Smith 2016 2024 6 2 – 8
3 1978 1986 6 – – 6
4 1966 1978 5 1 4 10
5 1938 1950 5 1 2 8
6 1978 1986 5 1 1 7
7
1990 2002 5 1 – 6

1986 1998 5 1 – 6
9 Femke Bol 2022 2024 5 – 1 6
10 1969 1974 4 4 – 8

Multiple medallists

See also: List of European Athletics Championships medalists (men) and List of European Athletics Championships medalists (women). A total of 12 men and 16 women have won six or more medals at the competition.

Men

NameCountryTotalGoldSilverBronzeYears
8 4 2 2 2010–2014
7 4 2 1 2010–2022
7 4 2 1 2014–2022
6 6 0 0 2018–2024
6 5 1 0 1986–1994
6 5 1 0 2006–2014
6 5 1 0 1978–1986
6 3 2 1 1971–1978
6 3 2 1 2010–2018
6 * 3 1 * 2 2010–2022
6 3 1 2 1986–1994
6 * 1 3 2 * 2010–2022
* including one medal in the relay event in which he participated in the heats only

Women

NameCountryTotalGoldSilverBronzeYears
10 5 1 4 1966–1978
8 6 2 0 2016–2024
8 5 1 2 1938–1950
8 4 4 0 1969–1974
8 4 3 1 2012–2018
7 7 0 0 2010–2024
7 5 1 1 1978–1986
7 1 3 3 2010–2014
6 6 0 0 1978–1986

6 5 1 0 1990–2002

6 5 1 0 1986–1998
6 5 0 1 2022–2024
6 4 1 1 2010–2024
6 3 2 1 1994–1998
6 2 2 2 1946–1950
6 2 1 3 2016–2022

Most medals in the same event

A total of 19 men and 12 women have won four or more medals in the same event. Sandra Elkasević (Perković) of Croatia is the only athlete, male or female, to win the same event (the women's discus throw) seven times (between 2010 and 2024).

Men

NoG/S/BAthleteCountryYearsEvent
5 (3/2/0) 1958–1971 Long jump
5* (3/1*/1) 2010–2022 4 × 400 m relay
5 (3/1/1) 2010–2022 4 × 400 m relay
4 (4/0/0) 1990–2002 Javelin throw
4 (4/0/0) 1990–2002 110 m hurdles
4 (4/0/0) 1962–1974 Javelin throw
4 (4/0/0) 2010–2018 3000 m steeplechase
4 (3/1/0) 2016–2024 4 × 400 m relay
4 (3/1/0) 2006–2014 5000 m
4 (3/0/1) 2010–2018 800 m
4 (3/0/1) 2010–2018 Pole vault
4 (3/0/1) 2016–2024 Hammer throw
4 (3/0/1) 2010–2018 Shot put
4 (2/2/0) 1969–1978 Triple jump
4 (2/1/1) 2014–2022 4 x 400 m relay
4* (1/2/1*) 2010–2022 4 × 100 m relay
4 (0/3/1) 2006–2016 Discus throw
4 (0/2/2) 2002–2014 4 × 100 m relay
4 (0/1/3) 1962–1971 Discus throw
* including one medal in the relay event in which he participated in the heats only

Women

NoG/S/BAthleteCountryYearsEvent
7 (7/0/0) 2010–2024 Discus throw
6 (4/1/1) 2010–2024 Hammer throw
5 (2/3/0) 2014–2024 Pole vault
4 (4/0/0) 1966–1974 Shot put
4 (4/0/0)
1986–2002 Long jump
4* (3*/1/0) 2014–2024 4 × 100 m relay
4 (3/0/1) 2014–2024 Heptathlon
4 (2/1/1) 2012–2024 3000 m steeplechase
4 (2/1/1) 2016–2024 Long jump
4 (1/3/0) 2012–2018 4 × 400 m relay
4 (1/1/2) 2010–2022 Javelin throw
4 (1/1/2) 2010–2016 Javelin throw
* including one medal in the relay event in which she participated in the heats only

Most appearances

A total of 50 men and 44 women have at least 6 appearances.

Men

NoNameCountryYearsEvents
7 1994–2018 50 km walk
Zoltán Kővágó * 1998–2018 Discus throw
2002–2018 5000 m / Half marathon / Marathon
2002–2018 Discus throw
2002–2018 Triple jump
2002–2018 Hammer throw
2006–2024 5000 m / 10,000 m / Half marathon / Marathon
2010–2024 Hammer throw
2010–2024 Shot put
2010–2024 Discus throw
2010–2024 Triple jump
2010–2024 1500 m / 5000 m / 10,000 m / Half marathon
6 1954–1971 20 km walk / 50 km walk
1962–1978 Discus throw
1969–1990 Long jump
1994–2014 Discus throw
Dwain Chambers * 1998–2014 100 m / 4 x 100 m relay
1998–2014 5000 m / 10,000 m
1998–2014 Hammer throw
1998–2014 Hammer throw
1998–2018 20 km walk / 50 km walk
2002–2016 110 m hurdles
2002–2016 200 m / 400 m / 4 x 100 m relay
2002–2018 Shot put
2002–2018 Triple jump
2002–2018 100 m / 4 x 100 m relay
2006–2018 Pole vault
2006–2018 Long jump
2006–2022 3000 m steeplechase / 10,000 m / Half marathon / Marathon
2010–2022 200 m / 400 m / 4 x 400 m relay
2010–2022 400 m / 4 x 400 m relay
2010–2022 Hammer throw
2010–2022 5000 m / 10,000 m / Half marathon / Marathon
2010–2022 Pole vault
2010–2022 High jump
2010–2022 100 m / 4 x 100 m relay
2010–2024 Long jump
2010–2024 110 m hurdles
2010–2024 1500 m / 5000 m
2010–2024 Hammer throw
2010–2024 5000 m / Half marathon / Marathon
2010–2024 Hammer throw
2010–2024 Javelin throw
2010–2024 100 m / 4 x 100 m relay
2012–2024 5000 m / 10,000 m / Half marathon
2012–2024 400 m hurdles / 4 x 400 m relay / 4 × 400 m mixed relay
2012–2024 Discus throw
2012–2024 High jump
2012–2024 Discus throw
2012–2024 110 m hurdles
* including participation at one European Championships at which he was disqualified for a doping offence

Women

NoNameCountryYearsEvents
8 1998–2024 Discus throw
2006–2024 Javelin throw
7 2002–2018 5000 m / 10,000 m / Half marathon
2002–2024 Hammer throw
2006–2022 Discus throw
2010–2024 Discus throw
6 1969–1986 Shot put

1982–2002 Long jump / 200 m
1986–2010 3000 m / 10,000 m / Marathon
Felicia Țilea-Moldovan * 1990–2010 Javelin throw
1998–2014 800 m / 1500 m / 5000 m
2002–2016 High jump
2002–2016 Hammer throw
2002–2016 Hammer throw
2002–2016 Triple jump
2002–2022 20 km walk / 35 km walk / 50 km walk
2002–2022 Javelin throw
2006–2018 Javelin throw
2006–2018 Hammer throw
2006–2018 Hammer throw
2006–2018 Triple jump
2006–2018 Triple jump
2006–2022 3000 m steeplechase / 10,000 m / Marathon
2010–2022 Triple jump
2010–2022 5000 m / 10,000 m / Half marathon / Marathon
2010–2022 Javelin throw
2010–2022 100 m / 200 m / 4 x 100 m relay
2010–2022 Pole vault
2010–2022 Long jump
2010–2024 Hammer throw
2010–2024 3000 m steeplechase / 5000 m / 10,000 m / Half marathon
2010–2024 High jump
2010–2024 400 m hurdles / 4 x 400 m relay
2010–2024 Hammer throw
2010–2024 100 m hurdles / 4 x 100 m relay
2012–2024 400 m / 4 x 400 m relay
2012–2024 High jump
2012–2024 1500 m / 3000 m steeplechase
2012–2024 100 m / 200 m / 4 x 100 m relay
2012–2024 400 m / 400 m hurdles / 4 x 400 m relay
2012–2024 Javelin throw
2012–2024 Discus throw
2012–2024 Pole vault
2012–2024 400 m / 4 x 400 m relay
* including participation at one European Championships at which she was disqualified for a doping offence

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: de 2022 . Por Matt Nelsen20 de Junio . European Athletics moving away from multi-sport European Championships . 2022-08-24 . infobae . es-ES.
  2. Web site: 2022-06-20 . European Athletics Championships to revert to stand-alone model post-Munich 2022 . 2022-08-24 . www.insidethegames.biz.
  3. News: 23 April 2020 . European Athletics Championships cancelled because of coronavirus . BBC Sport . 23 April 2020.
  4. News: 23 April 2020 . Paris 2020 European Athletics Championships cancelled . European Athletics . 20 April 2020.
  5. Web site: 28 April 2017 . Paris will host the European Athletics Championships 2020 . 2019-06-06 . european-athletics . en.
  6. Web site: UK Athletics and Birmingham to Host European Athletics Championships in 2026 .
  7. Web site: THE SILESIAN STADIUM TO ORGANIZE THE 2028 EUROPEAN ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS! . 24 July 2022.
  8. https://european-athletics.directus.app/assets/253873ae-35bf-490b-bcd5-bf4779a3df27/ECH-2024-Statistics-Handbook.pdf Statistics Handbook 2024 European Athletics Championships
  9. Web site: 2024 medal table. 7 June 2024.

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