Boxing Contests in Rome - Important Facts about the European Athletics Championships
The first major event in athletics before the Olympic Games happens two months before.
Germany's football team won the World Cup in 1990, but their chances of winning medals at the European Championships are much better than at the previous World Championships in Budapest.
When and where will the European Championships take place?
This year's European Athletics Championships happen from June 7th to 12th at the Olympic Stadium. This event came before the Champions League final and the start of the European Football Championship. The stadium was also used during the second World Championships in 1987 and the Olympic athletics competitions in 1960. The first European Championships happened in Turin, 90 years ago.
Why is the European Championships significant in the Olympic year?
The German Athletics Association considers this event a top-tier competition, sending around 110 athletes. Sports director Jörg Bügner said that this event is both a location determination for the Olympic Games in August and a highlight for other athletes who may not qualify for those games.
How is the long jump Olympic champion feeling about the event?
Malaika Mihambo, the long jump Olympic champion, describes the competition as one of the best and is excited. The 30-year-old is recovering from a muscle fascia rupture, which prevented her from competing at the last World Championships.
Who are the German hopefuls for medals?
Mihambo is one of the German hopefuls. Sprinter Gina Lückenkemper, decathlete Niklas Kaul, and javelin thrower Julian Weber, who all won medals at the European Championships two years ago in Munich, are also expected to do well.
What can be won?
For the top ten performances, the European Athletics Association offers 50,000 euros each. In total, athletes can win half a million euros.
What categories are in the competition?
The competitions are divided into five groups for men and women: Sprint, middle and long-distance running, throwing disciplines, jumping, and multi-events, including relays. A point system is used to compare performances.
Who is broadcasting the competitions?
The public broadcasters ARD and ZDF are reporting the six competition days live, alternating between the two. The opening match will be on ARD, while the closing match goes to ZDF. The competition can also be seen in the livestream.
