European Athletics Championships facts for kids
Quick facts for kids European Athletics Championships |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Status | active |
| Genre | sports event |
| Frequency | biennial |
| Location(s) | various |
| Inaugurated | 1934 |
| Most recent | 2024 |
| Organised by | European Athletic Association |
 2024 |
|
The European Athletics Championships is a big sports event for athletics in Europe. It's like the Olympics, but just for European athletes! The European Athletic Association organizes this championship every two years. It's where the best athletes from different European countries compete in events like running, jumping, and throwing.
Contents
History of the Championships
The first European Athletics Championships for men happened in Turin, Italy, in 1934. Women had their first separate championship in Vienna, Austria, in 1938. After World War II, the men's and women's events joined together in 1946 in Oslo, Norway.
For a long time, the championships took place every four years. But since 2010, they happen every two years. If the championships happen in the same year as the Summer Olympics, some longer events like the marathon and racewalking are not included. Instead, a half-marathon event is held.
In 2018 and 2022, the European Athletics Championships were part of a bigger event called the European Championships. This is a new event where different European sports come together. However, the European Athletics Association decided that for 2026, they would hold their championships separately again.
The 2020 championships, which were planned for Paris, France, had to be cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the first time the event was cancelled since 1942, during World War II.
There's also an indoor version of this event called the European Athletics Indoor Championships. It takes place in odd-numbered years.
Top Countries and Medals
Over the years, many countries have done very well in the European Athletics Championships. For a long time, countries like the Soviet Union and East Germany won a lot of medals.
After these countries changed, Great Britain & Northern Ireland became the country with the most medals overall. However, if you combine the medals won by countries that used to be part of the Soviet Union or East Germany, then Germany (including its past forms) has won the most gold medals and the most medals in total.
Here are some of the countries that have won the most medals:
- Great Britain & Northern Ireland
- Soviet Union (a former country)
- East Germany (a former country)
- France
- Germany
- Poland
- Italy
- Russia
- West Germany (a former country)
- Finland
Some countries like Andorra, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Georgia, Gibraltar, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, North Macedonia and San Marino have not yet won a medal.
Amazing Athletes and Records
Many athletes have won multiple medals at the European Athletics Championships.
Most Gold Medals (Men)
- Jakob Ingebrigtsen from Norway has won 6 gold medals in running events (1500m and 5000m). He is still competing!
- Roger Black and Mo Farah from Great Britain, and Harald Schmid from West Germany, each won 5 gold medals.
- Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad from France also won 5 gold medals.
Most Gold Medals (Women)
- Sandra Elkasević (Perković) from Croatia is a true champion! She has won an incredible 7 gold medals in the Discus throw event. She is still competing!
- Dina Asher-Smith from Great Britain has won 6 gold medals in sprint and relay races. She is still competing!
- Marita Koch from East Germany won 6 gold medals.
- Irena Szewińska (Kirszenstein) from Poland won 5 gold medals and a total of 10 medals, which is the most for any woman!
- Fanny Blankers-Koen from the Netherlands and Marlies Göhr from East Germany both won 5 gold medals.
- Femke Bol from the Netherlands has won 5 gold medals in running and relay events. She is still competing!
Most Medals in the Same Event
Some athletes are so good at one specific event that they win many medals in it.
- Sandra Elkasević (Perković) from Croatia has won the women's Discus throw an amazing 7 times!
- Steve Backley and Colin Jackson from Great Britain, Jānis Lūsis from the Soviet Union, and Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad from France have each won 4 gold medals in their specific events.
- Anita Włodarczyk from Poland has won 4 gold medals in the Hammer throw.
Athletes with Many Appearances
Some athletes have competed in the European Athletics Championships many times, showing their dedication to the sport.
Men with Many Appearances
- Jesús Ángel García from Spain has competed 7 times in the 50 km walk.
- Many other male athletes have competed 6 or more times, including Daniele Meucci from Italy, Renaud Lavillenie from France, and Gianmarco Tamberi from Italy.
Women with Many Appearances
- Mélina Robert-Michon from France and Martina Ratej from Slovenia have competed 8 times in the Discus throw and Javelin throw, respectively.
- Sandra Elkasević (Perković) from Croatia has competed 7 times in the Discus throw.
- Many other female athletes have competed 6 or more times, including Heike Drechsler (Daute) from Germany, Barbora Špotáková from the Czech Republic, and Anita Włodarczyk from Poland.
See also
In Spanish: Campeonato Europeo de Atletismo para niños
- European Athletics Indoor Championships
- European Running Championships
- International Athletics Championships and Games
- List of European Athletics Championships medalists (men)
- List of European Athletics Championships medalists (women)
- List of European records in athletics
- List of stripped European Athletics Championships medals
- 4 × 400 metres relay at European Championships
- World Para Athletics European Championships
