The 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham ended with outstanding performances, record-breaking results and unforgettable moments for the home crowd.

Sweden’s Armand Duplantis delivered a remarkable pole vault victory, while Britain’s Amy Hunt achieved a milestone that had never been reached at the continental competition.

Duplantis Reaches New Heights

Armand Duplantis closed the championships with another impressive display in the men’s pole vault. The Swedish star cleared 6.15 metres, setting a new championship record and securing his fourth consecutive European outdoor title.

Although Duplantis entered the competition as the favourite, Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis ensured the contest remained interesting. Karalis cleared 6.00 metres to take silver and continued challenging the leading mark as the competition progressed.

The result improved the championship record of 6.10 metres that he had set in Rome in 2024. Karalis later attempted 6.20 metres but could not complete the clearance. His performance nevertheless demonstrated the high standard of the event and gave the audience an exciting contest before Duplantis claimed the title.

The victory added another achievement to Duplantis’s already remarkable career. His ability to perform under pressure has made him one of the defining figures in modern pole vaulting, and his Birmingham result reinforced his position at the top of the discipline.

Amy Hunt Makes History

Amy Hunt became one of the biggest stories of the championships by winning four gold medals at a single edition of the European Athletics Championships. No athlete had previously achieved that feat in the competition’s history.

Her individual sprint victories in the 100 metres and 200 metres established her as one of the standout performers of the week. Hunt then added relay titles with the British team, contributing to victories in both the women’s 4x100 metres and the mixed 4x100 metres.

The mixed relay brought another special moment. Hunt joined Jeremiah Azu, Dina Asher-Smith and Zharnel Hughes to produce a European record of 39.97 seconds. Their performance secured the gold medal ahead of Germany, which finished in 40.11 seconds. Hunt’s achievement highlighted the value of versatility and consistency across different events. Rather than relying on one outstanding race, she maintained her form throughout the championships and delivered when her team needed her.

Dina Asher-Smith also reached an important milestone. The mixed relay victory brought her European Championships medal total to 11, making her the most decorated athlete in the history of the competition.

Vainio Dominates the Marathon

Alisa Vainio produced one of the most impressive performances of the final day in the women’s marathon. The Finnish runner crossed the finish line in 2:22:26, setting a championship record and winning by almost five minutes. Her result reflected both endurance and careful pacing over the demanding city course. Vainio established control early and maintained her advantage throughout the race, leaving the rest of the field unable to close the gap.

Hungary’s Lili Anna Vindics-Tóth earned silver in 2:27:21, recording a personal best. Britain’s Abbie Donnelly completed the podium in 2:27:33, also delivering a strong performance in front of the home audience.

The men’s marathon provided another record-breaking result. Germany’s Amanal Petros won in 2:09:11, securing his first major title. Italy’s Pietro Riva finished seven seconds behind to take silver. Petros made his decisive move during the second half of the race and held his lead through the closing kilometres. His victory added another highlight to a championships that rewarded patience, fitness and sound race planning.

Close Finishes Across the Programme

The women’s long jump final offered one of the tightest contests of the championships. Italy’s Larissa Iapichino secured gold with a wind-assisted jump of 7.00 metres. Britain’s Jazmin Sawyers followed with 6.99 metres, while France’s Hilary Kpatcha took bronze at 6.98 metres.

The championships also demonstrated the depth of European talent, from closely contested field events to decisive finishes on the track and road. For the athletes, the results represented the rewards of preparation and consistency. For spectators, the competition offered a series of memorable performances that will remain part of the event’s history.