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Sports sponsorship is part of the international SPAR voluntary food retail chain’s commitment to encouraging an active, healthy lifestyle. Global awareness of the SPAR Brand is achieved through digital and print coverage of sport sponsorship.

SPAR International

Joma Sport is the most important Spanish sports brand, with the highest sales volume worldwide, and is among the top ten global brands.

Joma

Le Gruyère AOP is a very high quality natural cheese that has been produced for many centuries in an artisanal method without any additives.

Le Gruyère AOP

The philosophy of Toyo Tires is to combine driving pleasure with top performance. This is reflected in each of the products, as well as in its close partnership with European Athletics.

Toyo Tires

Through its operational department Eurovision Services, the EBU is continuously working to promote athletics by offering the most comprehensive coverage of European Athletics events all over Europe.

Conica has been developing and manufacturing innovative seamless flooring solutions for sports, games and leisure for over 40 years and is one of the world's market leaders and innovation drivers in this field.

Conica

Stars of athletics beat world records using Polanik products. Polanik is held in high regard by many for top quality and advisory services for designers and investors of athletics stadiums.

Polanik

The Hotel Royal Savoy is proud to be the Preferred Hotel Partner of European Athletics in Lausanne since 2016, offering valuable support and accommodation services to European Athletics business activities throughout the year.

Hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne

The first companies of Würth MODYF Group were founded in Künzelsau, Germany and Neumarkt, Italy in 1997 as an independent subsidiary of the Würth Group and can thus look back on more than 25 years of experience in the field of workwear and safety footwear.

Würth MODYF Group

The high jump challenges athletes to clear a steadily rising bar using a curved approach and a powerful take-off. Competitors must time their run-up perfectly, converting horizontal speed into vertical lift. The Fosbury Flop technique, now universal, requires exceptional body control as athletes arch over the bar. The event builds drama as the bar climbs higher and attempts become limited, often culminating in head-to-head duels.

High jump

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100M

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The longest standard track race, the 10,000 metres tests stamina, concentration and consistent pacing across twenty five laps. Athletes must manage physical strain as the race progresses, responding to surges and maintaining rhythm even as fatigue builds. Historically, European Championships have seen both cagey tactical contests and fast, relentless front-running performances. The event rewards those with strong endurance and the mental strength to stay composed for a long duration.

10,000 metres

The 100 metres is the shortest outdoor sprint and sets the benchmark for pure speed in athletics. Athletes accelerate from blocks and reach top velocity within seconds, maintaining form through a high-intensity dash down the straight. Reaction time is often decisive at this distance, with races won and lost by hundredths of a second. The event has a long tradition of showcasing the fastest men and women in Europe, and it remains one of the most watched races at any championship.

100 metres

The 5000 metres is a long-distance track race demanding aerobic endurance, tactical awareness and mental focus. Athletes complete twelve and a half laps, managing pace while responding to changes initiated by rivals. Success often depends on staying relaxed early before increasing pace in the closing stages. The event has evolved over time from slow, tactical races to consistently fast, aggressive championship battles.

5000 metres

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Relay events combine individual speed with coordinated teamwork. The 4x100 metres relies on fast, precise baton exchanges at high speed, with timing and communication proving as important as outright pace. The 4x400 metres tests speed-endurance, strategy and mental resilience as teams select athletes for specific legs. The mixed 4x400 metres adds the challenge of gender order selection, making race tactics central to success. Relays consistently produce some of the most exciting and unpredictable moments in championship athletics.

Relays: 4x100 metres, 4x400 metres, Mixed 4x400 metres

The 200 metres blends the power of the short sprint with the challenge of running a controlled curve. Athletes build speed through the bend before driving into the home straight, aiming to maintain momentum without tightening or losing stride rhythm. Success depends on combining fast acceleration with the ability to hold technique under pressure. The event has produced many memorable European championship performances, often highlighting specialist sprinters who excel in technical curve running.

200 metres

These sprint hurdles events require athletes to combine explosive speed with flawless rhythm over a set number of barriers. Runners must achieve a consistent stride pattern to clear each hurdle cleanly without breaking speed. A clipped hurdle can ruin momentum, while perfect technique creates a smooth, fast race. The short distance leaves no margin for error, making start reaction and precision critical.

100 metres hurdles (women) / 110 metres hurdles (men)

The 400 metres hurdles is one of the most technically demanding events on the track. Athletes complete a full lap while clearing evenly spaced hurdles, forcing them to maintain rhythm even as fatigue peaks. Mastery of stride pattern, pace control and hurdle execution is essential. The race is known for dramatic changes of position in the final straight as athletes fight both their rivals and the physical demands of the event.

400 metres hurdles

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The long jump blends speed, power and precise timing. Athletes sprint along a runway and take off from a board, aiming to maintain momentum into a controlled flight and efficient landing. Key elements include accuracy on the approach and the ability to transfer horizontal velocity into lift. The discipline has deep roots in athletics history and remains a showcase of raw jumping ability.

Long jump

The steeplechase combines distance running with technical obstacle work. Athletes clear barriers and a water jump each lap, requiring controlled footwork, balance and the ability to accelerate after each obstacle. Competitors must maintain rhythm while adjusting stride patterns to navigate hurdles efficiently. The event has become a staple of European competition, producing races that test both endurance and precise technique under pressure.

3000 metres steeplechase

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Apeldoorn is one of the greenest cities in the Netherlands and among the largest municipalities in Gelderland. It is a mid-size city with a population of approximately 161,000. Apeldoorn has a charming and lively inner city and a young, sports-minded population.

The town is easily accessible by car (A1 motorway) and train. The proximity of large cities such as Utrecht (59 kilometre) and Amsterdam (75 kilometre) and its space and tranquillity make Apeldoorn one of the most popular cities in the Netherlands. The area mainly consists of woods and heath-lands and is a popular destination for tourism, in particular hiking and cycling.

The Dutch royal family has always had close ties with the city. Apeldoorn is home to the stately Loo Palace, the former summer residence of the Dutch royal family and nowadays a national museum. Apeldoorn is possibly the most athletic-minded city in the Netherlands.

Apeldoorn

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ScorePlay is a transformative force disrupting the sports media landscape from its very core.

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The heptathlon brings together seven events across two days: hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200 metres, long jump, javelin and 800 metres. Athletes must demonstrate versatility, technical skill and endurance across a wide range of disciplines. Scoring rewards consistency and all-round ability rather than excellence in only one area. The event is seen as a major test of complete athletic talent and resilience.

Heptathlon (women)

The decathlon features ten events spread across two days and is regarded as one of the most complete tests in sport. Athletes compete in sprints, hurdles, jumps, throws and middle-distance running. Success depends on technical skill, physical strength, endurance and mental focus across a demanding schedule. The best decathletes are celebrated for their versatility and their ability to perform across a broad spectrum of athletic challenges.

Decathlon (men)

The marathon covers a distance of 42.195 kilometres and stands as one of the most demanding endurance events in athletics. Athletes must balance pacing, energy management and hydration while navigating a long road course that often includes changes in terrain and elevation. The race typically develops through distinct phases, with early caution giving way to decisive moves in the later stages when fatigue begins to bite. Success requires exceptional aerobic capacity, mental resilience and the ability to maintain form over a prolonged distance. The marathon has a long and respected history within European competition and continues to showcase some of the toughest endurance performances in the sport.

Marathon

In hammer throw, athletes spin several times while controlling a heavy metal ball attached to a wire and handle. The challenge is to build rotational speed while maintaining balance and directing the hammer accurately into the sector. Technical precision and body control are essential, particularly during the final release. The event is one of the most demanding in the throws discipline.

Hammer throw

Javelin throwers combine a fast run-up with a technically efficient release of a spear-shaped implement. The discipline requires speed, mobility, shoulder strength and careful control of the javelin’s angle and trajectory. Athletes must generate force during the run-up while protecting their technique during the final delivery. The event has a long European tradition and regularly produces dramatic long throws in championship settings.

Javelin throw

The discus throw requires athletes to rotate within a circle to build momentum before releasing a heavy disc into the throwing sector. Balance, footwork and technique dictate success, with release angle and timing crucial for long distances. The event dates back to ancient athletics and has remained a showcase of technical throwing skill throughout European competition.

Discus throw

Pole vaulting requires speed, strength, coordination and courage. Athletes sprint down the runway, plant the pole and use it to propel themselves over a set height. Each attempt challenges timing, body control and technique, particularly during inversion and bar clearance. The event is known for its progression of rising heights and the technical battles between athletes to master complex vaulting mechanics.

Pole vault

The triple jump consists of a hop, step and jump in one continuous sequence. Athletes must generate and maintain forward momentum through each phase, requiring rhythm, leg strength and technical consistency. Distances depend on a smooth transition between phases and a balanced landing. The event demands a combination of speed and coordination unique within the jumps programme.

Triple jump

Race walking involves covering long distances under strict technique rules. Athletes must maintain continuous ground contact and keep the front leg straight as it lands, making endurance and technical discipline equally important. Races are often tactical, with pacing and efficiency playing a major role. Europe has a long history of success in this event, which remains a key part of the championships programme.

Race walking

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The 400 metres is a one-lap sprint requiring both speed and controlled pacing. Athletes must judge their effort carefully, building a strong opening but leaving enough in reserve to withstand the final straight when fatigue peaks. The event rewards those with both raw sprinting talent and excellent speed-endurance. Historically, it has produced dramatic finishes as runners push to their limits in the closing metres.

400 metres

Swiss Timing

The 1500 metres is the classic middle-distance race. It requires athletes to balance steady pacing with the agility to respond to tactical changes and late surges. Many races unfold with a controlled early pace before a fast acceleration in the final lap, where positioning becomes critical. The event has a rich European history, often producing championship finals filled with strategy, resilience and highly competitive sprint finishes.

1500 metres

Run over two laps of the track, the 800 metres sits between sprinting and longer middle-distance racing. It is a tactical test as much as a physical one, with athletes often racing in packs, protecting position and timing their final kick. The event demands efficient running mechanics, race intelligence and a strong anaerobic capacity. European athletes have excelled in this discipline for decades, making it a consistently competitive and unpredictable race.

800 metres

Shot putters throw a solid metal ball from within a throwing circle, using either a glide or rotational technique. The event rewards explosive strength, balance and precise timing at release. Competitors must generate maximum power while staying within the circle, making technique as important as physical strength. Shot put has long been a central event in European championships, showcasing powerful and technically skilled athletes.

Shot put

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There were two European best performances on Sunday (8) from Anita Chamosa and Riccardo Orsoni, who took the Spanish women&rsquo;s and Italian men&rsquo;s inaugural half marathon titles respectively.
Chamosa, who was 7th in the women&rsquo;s 20km at the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships cruised to a European all-time best of 1:34:44 at the Spanish Half Marathon Race Walking Championships in Cieza.
[NSTAGRAM ID="https://www.instagram.com/p/DVnxrSwjEcZ/?img_index=1"]
It should be noted that the new discipline in still in its infancy, but with both the half marathon and marathon distances making their major event debut at the Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships on 15 August, both events are set to rapidly mature this summer.
Behind Chamosa, there was a fine performance from 19-year-old Aldara Meilan who just edged out twice European U20 champion Sofia Santacreu for silver with both athletes timed at 1:34:44.
In the men&rsquo;s race, twice European medallist Diego Garcia-Carrera won a high-class race in 1:26:07, ahead of Alvaro Lopez (1:26:21), 2015 world champion and twice European gold medallist Miguel Angel Lopez (1:26:37) and world 20k bronze medallist Paul McGrath (1:27:48).&nbsp;
<h3>Orsoni sets European best in Italy</h3>
In Alessandria, Riccardo Orsoni took the men&rsquo;s title at the Italian Half Marathon race walking championships in a European all-time best of 1:24:30 ahead of Gianluca Picchiottino (1:25:27). Sofia Fiorini (1:34:20) took women&rsquo;s title.
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Meanwhile in Lens, 2023 European U23 champion Pauline Stey won the women's title at the French Half Marathon Race Walking Championships in 1:33:54. Killian Lebreton took the men's title in 1:29:01.

Chamosa and Orsoni set European bests for half marathon race walk

Members of the European Athletics Development Commission gathered at Papendal, the Netherlands&rsquo; national Olympic training centre, from 5&ndash;7 March for a working meeting focused on strengthening support for Member Federations and advancing key development initiatives across the continent.
Hosted at the elite training complex near Arnhem, the three-day meeting combined strategic discussions, collaborative workshops and presentations from European Athletics, World Athletics and Dutch representatives.
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The meeting opened on Friday morning with a welcome from Commission Chair Karin Grute Movin, setting the tone for discussions on how European Athletics can further strengthen its development activities and deliver practical support to Member Federations.&nbsp;
<h3>Supporting Federations</h3>
A key topic was the Member Federation Support Programme for 2026&ndash;2027, with updates provided on how the grant programme can be used to enhance athletics development across Europe.&nbsp;
The discussion focused on ensuring that federations can effectively implement projects that grow participation, strengthen structures and support athlete pathways.&nbsp;
Fan engagement was another central theme of the meeting. Commission members took part in a presentation followed by a workshop examining how athletics can connect with new audiences and strengthen the relationship between fans and the sport.&nbsp;
The interactive session allowed members to share experiences from their respective federations and explore innovative approaches to engaging communities across Europe.&nbsp;
The programme also included presentations from representatives of Dutch athletics and World Athletics, providing insight into national development strategies and global initiatives designed to support the growth of the sport.&nbsp;
In the afternoon, the Commission split into working groups to examine two important areas for the future of athletics development: sustainability and health and wellbeing.&nbsp;
<h3>Safety, health and wellbeing</h3>
Discussions addressed how athletics can strengthen its contribution to wider societal goals while ensuring safe, healthy environments for athletes and participants. Outcomes from the working groups were presented back to the full Commission to identify priorities and next steps.&nbsp;
Participants also had the opportunity to tour the Papendal facilities, gaining insight into one of Europe&rsquo;s leading high-performance training environments.
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Saturday&rsquo;s programme focused on implementation and practical follow-up. Further working groups addressed high-performance development and community initiatives, including topics such as the continuation of the high-performance webinar series, planning for a potential 2027 high-performance conference, and initiatives aimed at strengthening leadership and mentoring within athletics communities.&nbsp;
The meeting brought together Development Commission members alongside European Athletics staff, including CEO Christian Milz, Director of Development &amp; Administration Sylvain Jolliet and development staff working closely with the Commission. Representatives from World Athletics and the host federation also contributed to the discussions.&nbsp;
With a strong focus on collaboration and practical outcomes, the Papendal meeting provided an important opportunity to align priorities and further develop initiatives that will support athletics communities and federations across Europe in the coming years.
The Commission will continue its work through a series of follow-up meetings later in the year.&nbsp;

European Athletics Development Commission meets at Papendal

Two-time Olympic marathon medallist Bashir Abdi smashed his Belgian half marathon record in his hometown of Gent on Sunday (8).
On the comeback from an injury-ravaged 2025 season, Abdi was back to his very best form as he won a race which has been renamed after him - the Runner&rsquo;s Lab Bashir&rsquo;s Run - in a solo 59:28.&nbsp;
Abdi broke clear in the sixth kilometre and never looked back, winning by a comfortable margin over Kenya&rsquo;s Brian Kipchumba (60:00) with fellow Belgian Robin Hendrix third (60:23). He slices 23 seconds from his national record and moves to fifth on the European all-time half marathon list.
"I knew I'd trained well, but I was cold and couldn't get warm. It was a shock to my body, because I'd come from a training camp [in Ethiopia] where it was 30C.&nbsp;The pacemakers also quickly dropped out of the race but luckily I had mentally prepared myself for a scenario where I would have to do a lot of headwork,&rdquo; said Abdi as quoted by Sporza.be.
[INSTAGRAM ID="http://www.instagram.com/p/DVnv0iijY0Y"]
Abdi was limited to just two races throughout 2025 due to a foot injury but the 37-year-old is returning to the level which saw him make the podium in the marathon at both the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games.
"I'm incredibly happy. This performance proves I'm back. Bashir is back. After an incredibly difficult 2025, I've shown that I want and can continue at this level for a few more years," said Abdi.
Abdi&rsquo;s primary goal for the spring road racing season <a href="https://www.european-athletics.com/home/news/abdi-outlines-his-goals-for-2026-my-ambition-is-to-break-that-european-record" target="_blank" rel="noopener">is the Rotterdam Marathon on 12 April</a>, the race in which he set the still-standing European marathon record of 2:03:36 in 2021. He has made no secret that one of the main goals of the latter years of his career is to revise his European record.&nbsp;
"I feel many athletes are getting close to that record. If I want to hold on to it for a few more years, I have to go faster. Whether it's for this edition or another time, I don't know. But my ambition is to break that European record," he said.&nbsp;
Bahrain&rsquo;s Mimi Belete won the women&rsquo;s race in 70:08.
<h3 dir="ltr">European all-time half marathon list</h3>
58:41 Andreas Almgren (SWE) - Valencia 2025 59:01 Yemaneberhan Crippa (ITA) - Naples 2026 59:13 Julien Wanders (SUI) - Ras Al Khaimah 2019 59:26 Dominic Lobalu (SUI) - Barcelona 2026 59:28 Bashir Abdi (BEL) - Gent 2026 59:31 Amanal Petros (GER) - Berlin 2025 59:32 Mo Farah (GBR) - Lisbon 2015 59:37 Emmanuel Roudolff (FRA) - Barcelona 2026 59:39 Carlos Mayo (ESP) - Valencia 2023 59:40 Morhad Amdouni (FRA) - Gdynia 2020 59:40 Samuel Barata (POR) - Valencia 2023

"Bashir is back." Abdi breaks Belgian half marathon record with 59:28 in Gent

Reigning European 10,000m champion Dominic Lobalu from Switzerland won the 10K Internacional de Bilbao on Saturday (7) in 27:36.
Lobalu has been in excellent form across all surfaces in recent months. He won bronze at the SPAR European Cross Country Championships in December and finished second in the Barcelona Half Marathon last month in 59:26. Just last weekend, Lobalu won the 3000m title at the Swiss Indoor Championships.
Lobalu won by a comfortable margin from Morocco&rsquo;s Abderrahmane Aferdi (27:53) with Ethiopia&rsquo;s Ayana Geneti third (27:56).
[INSTAGRAM ID="http://www.instagram.com/p/DVmIPp5oPt6"]
In the women&rsquo;s race which was won by Ethiopia&rsquo;s Asayech Ayichew in a fast 30:01, Spain&rsquo;s Irene Sanchez-Escribano finished fifth on her return to racing from maternity leave in 32:25.&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">Herbiet joins a list of legends in Jacksonville</h3>
In her first race since helping Belgium to team gold at the SPAR European Cross Country Championships, Chloe Herbiet was in victorious form over 15km in hot conditions at the Gate River Run in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday.
Herbiet took the victory in another Belgian record of 47:58 ahead of US Olympic marathon trials winners Fiona O&rsquo;Keeffe in 48:22.
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She became the first ever Belgian winner of a historic race which dates back to 1978 and joins an illustrious list of past champions which includes Joan Benoit Samuelson, Grete Waitz, Lynn Jennings, Deena Kastor and Shalane Flanagan.&nbsp;
<h3 dir="ltr">Elsewhere around Europe&hellip;</h3>
Mekdes Woldu equalled the French half marathon record in the Lisbon Half Marathon on Sunday (8), finishing seventh in 68:20 to match Alessia Zarbo&rsquo;s recently set record.&nbsp;
Mariana Machado finished 10th on her half marathon debut in 70:10 and took the national title at the distance in the process.
In the men&rsquo;s race which was won by Uganda&rsquo;s Jacob Kiplimo in a world record of 57:20, France&rsquo;s Valentin Gondouin was the top European in 11th in 60:35, just ahead of Portugal&rsquo;s Samuel Barata who won the national title in 60:36.
World 5000m silver medallist Isaac Kimeli from Belgium finished fifth on his half marathon debut in the Paris Half Marathon on Sunday, clocking 61:26 in a race won by Kenya&rsquo;s Kennedy Kimutai in 60:11.
Nils Voigt won the men&rsquo;s race at the German 10km Championships on Sunday in a lifetime best of 27:56.
European 10km silver medallist Eva Dieterich won the women&rsquo;s title in 31:54 by just one second from Elena Burkard in 31:55.

Weekend watch | Lobalu and Herbiet among the winners on the roads, Woldu equals French record in Lisbon

On International Women's Day (8), European Athletics is shining the spotlight on Ilgın Y&uuml;ksel who has risen from the European Athletics Future Leaders Programme to a successful professional leadership career in athletics.
The European Athletics Future Leaders Programme is celebrating 20 years since its launch at the 2006 European Athletics Championships in Gothenburg.&nbsp;
What began as a biennial forum has evolved into a long-term leadership pathway that continues to shape the future of the sport.
As we look towards the 2026 edition of the Future Leaders Forum which will take place in Birmingham from 12&ndash;17 August, this Future Leaders Focus series meets some of the past Future Leaders who have since established their career in athletics.&nbsp;
Here we meet Ilgın Y&uuml;ksel of T&uuml;rkiye.
<h3 class="MsoNormal">Tell us about yourself, your current role and you the Future Leaders Forum you attended</h3>
I currently serve as International Relations &amp; National Team Manager at the Turkish Athletic Federation, and I attended the European Athletics Future Leaders Forum 2024 in Rome.
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<h3 class="MsoNormal">What are you doing now? Tell us about your current role.</h3>
In my role, I oversee the international coordination, logistics and operational planning for national teams across major events. This includes athlete travel and visa processes, accreditation, accommodation, competition entries, international relations, and on-site operations during championships.
I work closely with European Athletics, World Athletics and other regional bodies as the main English-speaking liaison for the federation, while also working in Local Organising Committees for major events hosted in T&uuml;rkiye.
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<h3 class="MsoNormal">What do you enjoy most about what you do?</h3>
I enjoy the combination of mission and complexity. Athletics requires coordination between athletes, coaches, clubs, ministries, LOCs and international organisations. It is both operational and diplomatic.
Seeing this machinery work together so that athletes can simply focus on competing is extremely rewarding. I also enjoy meeting new people and making connections through this network and actually making new friends from other athletics bodies in other countries.
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<h3 class="MsoNormal">How did you get into this field?</h3>
I grew up in athletics thanks to my parents and originally started on the field of play as a pole vaulter, then as a volunteer in both national and international athletics events before later becoming a referee. I always enjoyed the organisational and international side of the sport, so transitioning into federation work and operations felt like a natural evolution.
<h3 class="MsoNormal">What has been one defining moment in your career so far?</h3>
A defining moment for me was T&uuml;rkiye hosting the 2024 World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships and the Antalya 2024 SPAR European Athletics Cross Country Championships.
Being involved both in the team operations and in the international coordination as LOC project leader exposed me to how significant event hosting is for capacity building within a federation. It expanded my perspective from event delivery towards long-term strategic development. I&rsquo;ve learned so much through these experiences.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/european-athletics/image/upload/v1772216169/ca7525e6-35fb-480d-b426-90f14c367974.jpg">
<h3 class="MsoNormal">What skills or experiences helped you get to where you are today?</h3>
Having experienced sport as an athlete, as an official and as a federation staff helped me understand multiple perspectives around the field of play. Here are the key skills that have helped me get to where I am now:
<ul>
<li class="MsoNormal">communication &amp; diplomatic skills</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">international relations &amp; compliance understanding</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">event operations and crisis management</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">language skills</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">ownership mindset &amp; responsibility for outcomes</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="MsoNormal"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/european-athletics/image/upload/v1772216206/fecb0509-7f54-4de8-a62a-1d8f4dd5ba46.jpg"></h3>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">Who or what inspires you in your career?</h3>
I am inspired by leaders who build capacity and structure in environments that are complex and fast-moving. I also admire federations that invest in education, youth pathways, sustainability and the professionalisation of operations&nbsp; because they strengthen the sport in ways that last beyond the events themselves.
I am equally inspired by people who give opportunities to young professionals, open pathways for them, and actively support the next generation in becoming future leaders in sport. Those who lift others and create space for them to grow make a real difference in our ecosystem.
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<h3 class="MsoNormal">What advice would you give to someone just starting out in sport or leadership?</h3>
Be curious, ask questions, and say yes to opportunities early, especially to roles that are not in the spotlight. Be energetic and calm at the same time. Don&rsquo;t be afraid to share your ideas.
Sport needs people who can build bridges, solve problems and communicate. Understanding how the international ecosystem works (calendars, governance, regulation, event organisation, competitions, bidding) makes a huge difference.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/european-athletics/image/upload/v1772216512/efd9484a-04b3-45e0-8812-6b609a77bfc6.jpg">
<h3 class="MsoNormal">What&rsquo;s something you wish you knew when you were starting your career?</h3>
That careers in sport are not linear. They progress through projects, relationships, international exposure and operational experience, not through conventional promotions. Patience and resilience truly matter in this field.
There more careers in sports then you can imagine, you never know what could come up to your way until you begin the experience.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/european-athletics/image/upload/v1772216564/07a12956-af55-414a-953e-db773769e116.jpg">
<h3 class="MsoNormal">Are there any exciting projects or goals you&rsquo;re working on right now?</h3>
I am currently working as T&uuml;rkiye&rsquo;s youngest Competition Director for the International Race Walking Silver Tour in Antalya, and I will hold the same role for the upcoming Balkan Race Walking Championships.
A long summer season is also ahead of me with extensive national team duties. I am also improving and setting my goals on national team operations and education pathways, and expanding my international experience through different programmes.
My long-term goal is to contribute to international athletics governance, with the purpose of helping create competition environments that are healthier, better organised, more enjoyable and better coordinated for athletes &mdash; not only in my country, but for athletes worldwide.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/european-athletics/image/upload/v1772974301/e66e107d-029b-40b3-acae-2b7d0467d79a.jpg">

“Sport needs people who can build bridges,” Future Leaders focus on Ilgın Yüksel on International Women's Day

Fresh off his 6.17m world lead in Athens, Emmanouil Karalis cleared 6.06m for the win and meeting record before attempting 6.20m at the Perche Elite Tour in Rouen, a World Athletics Indoor Tour Silver meeting, on Saturday (7) evening.
The world leader eased through the heights, jumping at 5.70m, 5.90m and 6.06m, taking the win with just three vaults.
But it was clear he had his sights set on closing in on close friend but even closer competitor, Mondo Duplantis, as the Greek attempted to clear 6.20m with two painfully close attempts before knocking the bar with his feet on the final jump of the night.
<ul>
<li class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://athle-liveresults.fr/competitions/6a7212e0-bfce-46c3-9c16-a749692b1dcf/6a7212e0-bfce-46c3-9c16-a749692b1dcf_SCH_20260307" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Full results</a></li>
</ul>
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There is more to come from Karalis, with his attempts at another Greek and world lead were plenty high, but just ever so slightly not deep enough as he skimmed the bar on the way down on his first two attempts at the height.
However, he ensured that he shared the spotlight before attempting the height, as Norway&rsquo;s Sondre&nbsp;Guttormsen finally cleared six metres for the first time in three years and went on to extend his national record to 6.06m.
[INSTAGRAM ID="http://www.instagram.com/p/DVmLaQnjIlz"]
The Norwegian had started the competition with a bit of difficulty at his second height, 5.70m, needing two attempts to clear it before sailing over 5.80m with visible relief.
He then needed two attempts for both 5.90m and 6.00m before cruising over 6.06m and falling to the runway overcome with emotion.
Australia&rsquo;s world championships medallist, Kurtis Marschall, took third with a 5.90m clearance for the second time this season.
While the French trio of Baptiste Thiery, Ethan Cormant, and Thibaut Collet took fourth, fifth, and sixth with the former clearing 5.90m and the latter two clearing 5.80m.
<h3 class="MsoNormal">Caudery&rsquo;s comeback continues</h3>
Since her world indoor title in Glasgow 2024, Molly Caudery failed to measure a height at the Olympics before suffering from an injury days later, and then injured herself yet again at the world championships in Tokyo.
But in Rouen, her second competition of the season, Caudery cleared 4.70m to take the win and extend her season&rsquo;s best.
[INSTAGRAM ID="http://www.instagram.com/p/DVmOVA6DFO3"]
She pipped Tina Sutej, who also cleared 4.70m but needed three attempts at 4.62m rather than Caudery&rsquo;s two.
The Slovenian has jumped consistently this indoor season and will be hoping that her time to take a major international gold has arrived when she competes at the Kujawy Pomorze 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships.
Switzerland&rsquo;s Angelica Moser took third with 4.62m while Czechia&rsquo;s Amalie Svabikova and New Zealand&rsquo;s Imogen Ayris took joint fourth also with 4.62m.
The reigning world indoor champion, Marie-Julie Bonnin, had to settle for sixth after opening with 4.51m and clearing 4.62m on her third attempt.
Photo courtesy of Gaelle Mobuchon
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