The Alexander Stadium in Birmingham is abuzz with athletic excellence as the European Athletics Championships 2024 officially commenced, marking a significant milestone as Great Britain hosts this prestigious continental event for the first time. Running from August 10th to August 16th, the championships feature an expansive contingent of 94 British athletes vying for supremacy on the medal table. The event promises a captivating display of talent, with a formidable lineup of established champions and emerging stars ready to etch their names into athletics history.
Among the celebrated British hopefuls are defending champions Keely Hodgkinson, a dominant force in the 800m, and the electrifying sprinter Dina Asher-Smith. They are joined by Birmingham’s own hometown hero, Matthew Hudson-Smith, a seasoned competitor in the 400m, along with the versatile Katarina Johnson-Thompson, the promising Amy Hunt, Georgia Hunter Bell, and the steadfast team captain Jake Wightman. The international field is equally star-studded, with Sweden’s Armand Duplantis, the reigning Olympic and World champion in the pole vault, Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen, a multiple Olympic and World champion in middle-distance running, and Greece’s Miltiadis Tentoglou, a formidable force in the long jump, all aiming to secure their fourth consecutive European titles. In addition to these titans, Keely Hodgkinson, Italy’s Olympic 100m champion Marcell Jacobs, and Ukraine’s high-jumping sensation Yaroslava Mahuchikh are all targeting their third successive European crowns, underscoring the depth of talent and fierce competition expected throughout the week.
This year’s championships will see athletes representing 49 nations compete across 50 gold medal events. A notable addition to the schedule is the mixed 4x100m relay, a dynamic and inclusive discipline that is set to captivate audiences. The BBC is providing comprehensive coverage, ensuring that fans across the nation can follow every moment of the action. Live broadcasts will be available on BBC One and BBC Two, with extensive streaming options on BBC iPlayer. Radio 5 Live will offer live commentary, complemented by detailed reporting, analysis, video highlights, and a constantly updated medal table accessible via the BBC Sport website and app, as well as BBC Sport’s social media channels, including YouTube.
Can GB Return to the Top of the Medal Table?
The recent history of the European Athletics Championships has seen Great Britain consistently performing well, though the top spot on the medal table has proven elusive in recent editions. At the Rome 2024 championships, Great Britain secured third place in the overall medal standings. Their success was spearheaded by gold medal victories from Dina Asher-Smith in the 100m, Keely Hodgkinson in the 800m, the women’s half marathon team, and the women’s 4x100m relay squad. However, hosts Italy dominated the proceedings, topping the table with an impressive 11 gold medals and a total of 24 medals. France followed in second place with four golds and 16 medals overall.
Historically, Great Britain has enjoyed periods of dominance, topping the medal table in Brussels in 1950 and Budapest in 1998. More recently, they achieved this feat at Zurich 2014, Berlin 2018, and Munich 2022, showcasing their strength in depth, particularly as the championships have transitioned to a biennial format since 2010. With the significant advantage of hosting the event on home soil for the first time in this iteration, the British team harbours strong ambitions of reclaiming their position at the summit of the European medal hierarchy. The roar of the home crowd and the familiarity of the Alexander Stadium are expected to provide a crucial psychological boost to the athletes as they strive for peak performance.
Asher-Smith Eyes European Record and Historic Feats
Dina Asher-Smith, a cornerstone of British sprinting, arrives at the Birmingham championships with an already glittering European record. Having amassed six gold medals and two silvers across four previous championships, she stands on the cusp of further historical achievement. Asher-Smith is poised to challenge the existing record of seven gold medals held by Croatian discus thrower Sandra Elkasevic (formerly Perkovic), potentially becoming the most successful individual athlete in the history of the championships. Furthermore, she is in contention to surpass the legendary Polish sprinter Irena Szewinska, who accumulated a remarkable 10 medals between 1966 and 1978, as the most decorated European athlete of all time.
The competition for these accolades will be intense. Among her contemporaries, Norwegian middle-distance runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen boasts six gold medals, while Dutch athlete Femke Broeders-Bol has rapidly ascended the ranks, securing five golds and a bronze in just two championships. Locally, Matthew Hudson-Smith, whose presence is already cemented at the Alexander Stadium with a dedicated stand in his honour, is a significant contender. Hudson-Smith has earned four golds and a total of seven medals at the championships, placing him in contention for further personal milestones. One more medal will see him equal France’s Christophe Lamaitre as the most decorated male athlete in the championship’s history. A gold medal would also place him in esteemed company alongside British legends Roger Black and Sir Mo Farah, who have also claimed the most European titles among British men.
Keely Hodgkinson: The 800m Showdown and Her Pursuit of Excellence
The women’s 800m is arguably one of the most anticipated events for British fans, pitting defending champion Keely Hodgkinson against a formidable field, including Swiss sensation Audrey Werro and the rapidly improving Dutch athlete Femke Broeders-Bol. Hodgkinson, at 24 years old, enters the championships in strong form, having opted to rest during the Commonwealth Games to ensure peak condition. She comes into the event fresh off a victory at the London Diamond League meeting in July, demonstrating her readiness to defend her title.
However, her path to glory is fraught with challenges. Audrey Werro, a 22-year-old Swiss prodigy, has shown exceptional form this season, having defeated Hodgkinson in June and recorded faster times on multiple occasions. Werro is steadily approaching the 43-year-old world record of 1 minute 53.28 seconds, making her a serious threat. Femke Broeders-Bol, the reigning world 400m hurdles champion, has successfully transitioned to the 800m distance, finishing narrowly behind Hodgkinson in London. Her adaptation to the event has been swift, positioning her as a strong contender for a medal.
The schedule for Hodgkinson’s pursuit of another 800m title is as follows: the heats are set for Tuesday morning, the semi-finals on Thursday morning, and the highly anticipated final is scheduled for Friday at 21:45 BST. The duel between these three exceptional athletes is expected to be a highlight of the championships, showcasing tactical brilliance and raw speed.
A Comprehensive Guide to Following the Championships on the BBC
The BBC is committed to providing unparalleled coverage of the European Athletics Championships 2024, ensuring that every event and every athlete is accessible to viewers and listeners across the United Kingdom. Live coverage of all sessions will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC Two, with additional streaming available on BBC iPlayer. For those who prefer to listen, Radio 5 Live will deliver live commentary throughout the championships, with content also accessible via BBC Sounds.
The BBC Sport website and app will serve as a central hub for comprehensive information, featuring live text commentary, in-depth reports from the venue, expert analysis, compelling video clips, and a dynamic medal table that will be updated in real-time. Furthermore, BBC Sport’s social media platforms, including YouTube, will offer exclusive content and behind-the-scenes insights.
The television coverage will be fronted by a distinguished presenting team, including Gabby Logan and Jeanette Kwakye. Their expertise will be complemented by a renowned commentary panel featuring Steve Cram, Andrew Cotter, Steve Backley, Colin Jackson, and Paula Radcliffe, all of whom bring a wealth of knowledge and experience from the world of athletics. Providing expert analysis will be Olympic champions Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill and Greg Rutherford, alongside Keely Hodgkinson’s coach, Jenny Meadows, offering invaluable perspectives on the athletes’ performances and strategies. All times are BST and are subject to potential late changes.
Day-by-Day Breakdown of Key Events and British Hopes
Monday, August 10th: A Strong Start with Five Gold Medals
The opening day of the championships promises an exciting start with five gold medals on offer. The evening session, broadcast from 19:00 BST, will feature several high-profile finals. The women’s 100m final at 21:50 BST is a major focal point, with British sprinters Dina Asher-Smith, Amy Hunt, Daryll Neita, and Imani-Lara Lansiquot all aiming for podium places. Their main rivals are expected to be Poland’s Ewa Swoboda and Geraldine Di Tizio-Frey of Switzerland. The inaugural mixed 4x400m relay final at 21:40 BST sees Great Britain among the favourites to secure the first of six relay golds. In the men’s 5,000m final at 20:40 BST, Jakob Ingebrigtsen makes his highly anticipated return after nearly a year out due to injury. Earlier finals include the men’s shot put (20:33 BST) and the women’s shot put (19:03 BST). The day also includes qualifying rounds for the women’s hammer, women’s 100m hurdles, and women’s triple jump, alongside semi-finals for the women’s 100m and the first round of the women’s 3,000m steeplechase.
Tuesday, August 11th: 800m Heats and Men’s 100m Intensity
Tuesday features five gold medals, with the morning session (10:30-13:15 BST on BBC One) focusing on preliminary rounds. Keely Hodgkinson begins her title defence in the women’s 800m heats, scheduled for 12:05 BST. The men’s 100m heats for semi-final qualification also commence from 11:15 BST, setting the stage for explosive sprints. The evening session (19:00-22:00 BST) includes finals for the men’s 100m (semi-finals at 20:32 BST), women’s 110m hurdles (semi-finals at 19:55 BST), men’s long jump (20:16 BST), women’s 5,000m (19:25 BST), and men’s hammer (19:10 BST). Other events include qualification for the women’s pole vault and semi-finals for the women’s 100m hurdles, alongside men’s 400m semi-finals.
Wednesday, August 12th: Hudson-Smith’s 400m Defence and Decathlon Begins
With four gold medals on offer, Wednesday’s morning session (10:30-13:15 BST on BBC One) sees qualifying rounds for the women’s 200m, with British trio Amy Hunt, Dina Asher-Smith, and Success Eduan poised for strong performances. Amber Anning, a recent world indoor champion, aims for a successful comeback from injury in the 400m heats. The gruelling men’s decathlon commences, with the first event being the 100m. The evening session (19:00-22:00 BST) features finals for the men’s 110m hurdles (21:45 BST), women’s 400m hurdles (21:08 BST), men’s 400m (20:50 BST), and women’s hammer (19:45 BST). Matthew Hudson-Smith will be a key figure in the men’s 400m final, aiming for his third individual European title. The decathlon continues with the high jump and 400m, and semi-finals for the men’s 110m hurdles and women’s 200m are also scheduled.
Thursday, August 13th: Hodgkinson’s 800m Semi-Finals and Potential British 200m Sweep
Seven gold medals are up for grabs on Thursday, with the morning session (10:30-13:15 BST on BBC One) featuring the women’s 800m semi-finals at 12:10 BST, where Keely Hodgkinson will aim to secure her place in the final. The decathlon also continues. The evening session (19:00-22:00 BST) is packed with excitement, including the women’s 200m final at 21:50 BST, where a British 1-2-3 from Hunt, Asher-Smith, and Eduan is a distinct possibility. The men’s 800m final (21:28 BST) sees Ben Burgin seeking his first major international title. Other finals include the conclusion of the decathlon (1500m at 21:10 BST), men’s discus (20:45 BST), women’s 3,000m steeplechase (20:30 BST), women’s pole vault (19:50 BST), and women’s triple jump (19:40 BST).
Friday, August 14th: Johnson-Thompson’s Heptathlon Challenge and Hodgkinson’s Defence
Friday presents six gold medals, with the morning session (10:30-13:15 BST on BBC One) marking the start of Katarina Johnson-Thompson’s quest for a first European heptathlon title. She will compete in the long jump and javelin. Jake Wightman, the reigning world champion, is a strong contender in the qualifying rounds for the men’s 1500m, while pole vault legend Armand Duplantis begins his bid for a fourth consecutive European gold. The evening session (19:00-22:00 BST) culminates with the highly anticipated women’s 800m final at 21:45 BST, where Keely Hodgkinson will defend her title. The men’s 200m final is at 21:25 BST, and the men’s 400m hurdles final features Karsten Warholm, aiming for his fourth European crown. Other finals include the women’s discus (20:30 BST), men’s high jump (20:00 BST), and women’s 10,000m (19:45 BST). The heptathlon continues with the shot put and 200m.
Saturday, August 15th: A Packed Day with 13 Gold Medals and Relay Heats
Saturday is the busiest day of the championships, with a remarkable 13 gold medals to be decided. The morning, broadcast from 07:30 BST on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website, will showcase the men’s and women’s half-marathon and marathon race walks through the city streets. The main stadium coverage begins at 10:00 BST on BBC One. The women’s heptathlon continues with the long jump and javelin. Georgia Hunter Bell will be in action in the qualifying rounds for Sunday’s 1500m final, and the sprint relay teams will contest their qualifying heats for both the men’s and women’s 4x100m relays. The evening session (19:15-22:00 BST) features the finals of the women’s 4x100m relay (21:48 BST) and men’s 4x100m relay (21:33 BST), which are expected to be fiercely contested. Other finals include the men’s 1500m (21:07 BST), men’s 10,000m (20:25 BST), men’s triple jump (20:17 BST), women’s 400m (20:10 BST), women’s high jump (20:07 BST), and men’s javelin (20:01 BST). The heptathlon concludes with the 800m race at 19:45 BST.
Sunday, August 16th: Marathons and Relays to Conclude the Championships
The final day of the European Athletics Championships 2024 will crown champions in 10 events, starting with the women’s and men’s marathons on the city streets from 07:30 BST and 08:10 BST respectively, broadcast on BBC One from 07:25 BST. The evening session (19:00-21:00 BST) features the concluding track finals. The men’s and women’s 4x400m relays will take place at 21:48 BST and 21:33 BST, respectively, bringing the championship to a thrilling close. The women’s 1500m final is at 21:13 BST, and the men’s 3,000m steeplechase final is at 20:50 BST. The mixed 4x100m relay final is at 20:35 BST, offering a unique spectacle. Other finals include the women’s long jump (20:05 BST), women’s javelin (19:55 BST), and men’s pole vault (19:30 BST). The BBC’s comprehensive coverage ensures that fans will not miss any of the dramatic conclusions to this premier athletics event.
