Athletics 2026

Its so typical of life throwing you lemons just when you're in the form of your life and enjoying the success you deserve.

I don't think I ever saw someone so delighted to win the Europeans, you could see her progressing through the year leading up to it, getting her 1.58 in the 800m in Manchester and you just knew something special was brewing.

Then just when you were feeling disappointed for her getting that Achilles injury that put her out of the Olympics she announces her engagement and at least shes getting to enjoy her downtime.

And then this, such a beautiful soul she is.

Really interesting interview with Georgia Hunter Bell.

50.17 for Mawdsley in Belgium. Really kicking on this season.

50.08 won bronze at the last outdoor Europeans, so it could be an interesting summer ahead for Sharlene. Can she get herself into some Diamond League races with those times? Would be great to see some signs of a return to form for Rhasidat too.

Currently sitting 9th in the qualification standings with 16 places available, according to the excellent TrackAthletes website. So more or less guaranteed to qualify. In fact, all five relay teams (M 4x1, W 4x1, M 4x4, W 4x4 and Mx 4x4)are currently in qualification positions.

https://www.trackathletes.ie/roadto/Birmingham/2026/

Potentially a really big team set to qualify actually. Sad to see Mageean in there as pre-qualified but won't be competing.

Yeah, she's potentially not planning any major races until July. Which could be a case of trying to time her form, but probably more likely that she's still having issues. McPhillips is another one keeping a very low profile for now. They're probably two of our three best medal prospects for the Europeans but we'll have to wait a while to see if either is in any kind of form this year.

Diamond League live on Virgin Media 3 at 7pm.

Does anyone know where Cian McPhilips is? He literally super quiet and no indication of when he will open his outdoor season and whilst I know we are a fair bit away from Europeans but be nice to see him line up in a Diamond League race

They just can’t fit all the distances in. Every meet chooses some to miss out. Morocco obviously prefers middle distances races so added a non-diamond league women’s 1,500 to the 2 hour window too

Stockholm has a similar line up. No mens 100, no women’s 1500, no women’s 400.

Whereas Rome has those 3.

Both meets have a men’s 800 but the Rome one isn’t a diamond league event that night

Mark English time?

I have been keeping an eye on the rivals of our medal contenders for the Europeans, primarily heptathlon and womens 400m.

At Gotzis Heptathlon Annik Kalin just set a PB which is ahead of Kate O'Connor, Emma Oosterwagel and Sofie Dokter also set new PBs in the range of Kate. I know it is almost expected for Kate to win medals now, but it's important to remember that last year, Thiam was completely out of sorts, KJT was miles from her best, Noor Vidts and Kalin who were 3rd/4th at the Olympics were not competing. That is not a knock on Kate, I believe she will continue to improve and always be a medal contender. It just might be a bit more competitive if all are in form this year.

It's hard to believe that in 2018, the European 400 title was won by Swiety-Ersetic in 50.41. She has never gone sub-50. Now we have Bukowiecka, Bol, Adeleke, Anning, Jager, Manuel, Klaver, Mary-John, Nielsen all with sub-50 PBs. Mawdesley is just outside with her recent PB. Jager and Manuel went 1/2 in Rome last night. This is an event that has improved significantly over the last few seasons in terms of level, on the global and European level. Rhasidat may need to be close to her best to be a contender this year.