Potential chaos at the European Athletics Championships for attendees.
Back in Munich two years ago, attendance for the Athletics European Championships reached a whopping 40,000 spectators. But things are different this time around, as the European Championships are now being hosted in Rome - and attendance seems significantly lower. This is suggested by the offer of 40% discounts and the unwillingness to disclose ticket sales.
The European Athletics Championships in Rome are currently facing a lack of audience enthusiasm. With the competitions scheduled from Friday to Wednesday in the Olympic Stadium, there are still an abundance of tickets remaining, prompting the organizers to slash prices by a significant 40%. The organizers have also refused to divulge how many tickets have been sold just before the start of the competitions.
The President of the European Athletics Association, Dobromir Karamarinov, urges athletics fans to make their way to the stadium and support the athletes. "We still have time to change people's minds," said the Bulgarian. "These could be the most amazing championships ever, but we need everyone to make it happen." The organizers are pinning their hopes on the host team of Italy to spark interest.
In 2023, Munich hosted the Athletics European Championships and created a buzzing atmosphere in the Olympic Stadium. This year, the competitions serve as a prelude to the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, slated to take place in two months.
Germany's top athletes, including long jump champion Malaika Mihambo, as well as European champions Gina Lückenkemper, Niklas Kaul, Julian Weber, and Richard Ringer, are looking to repeat their success in Rome. In 2023, Germany topped the medal table during the home games in Munich. "We're heading into the race as defending champions," said DSV sports director Jörg Bügner in Rome. "We want to remain competitive for as long as we can."
The probability of a favorable tailwind heading into the Olympics is considerably better than at the historic 2023 World Championships Zero Number in Budapest. "That's great news," sports expert Frank Busemann remarked ahead of the title competitions at the iconic Stadio Olimpico along the banks of the Tiber. However, this could all be before a sparse crowd.
