European Athletics is set for a landmark gathering in the stunning coastal city of Batumi, Georgia, as the European Athletics Council, Congress and Convention, plus the Golden Tracks awards take place on 21–25 October.
Batumi 2025 will bring together the sport’s leaders from across the continent for five days of strategy, discussion, and celebration in the biggest corporate gathering in European Athletics’ history.
The week will open with meetings of the European Athletics Executive Board (EXBO) and the European Athletics Council (22–23 October), followed by the European Athletics Convention (24) and culminating in the European Athletics Congress and Golden Tracks Awards Ceremony (both 25).
Council shaping the sport’s future direction
The 179th European Athletics Council Meeting will set the tone for the week, addressing key strategic, governance, and development topics that will shape the federation’s future direction.
Highlights of the agenda include:
- President’s Report covering recent international activities, Executive Board matters, and updates from the World Athletics Congress and Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships 2025
- Updates on major upcoming events, including Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships and Rieti 2026 European Athletics U18 Championships, alongside the venue allocation for the 2027 European Athletics Convention
- Reports on governance, integrity, and development programmes, including the Member Federation Support Programme and the Focus Federation Programme, with Portugal presenting this year’s outcomes
- Decisions on event allocation for the 2028 European Athletics U18 Championships, competition regulation changes, and calendar planning through 2029, ensuring a strong pipeline of European events
- Financial and HR updates, and preparations for future Council and EXBO meetings through 2026.
Collaboration and innovation at the heart of the agenda at Convention
Following the council meeting, the spotlight shifts to the European Athletics Convention on Friday 24 October — a dynamic, one-day forum designed to engage and inspire Europe’s athletics community.
Opening with welcoming remarks from President Karamarinov and moderated by Sydney 2000 Olympic 400m bronze medallist and broadcaster Katharine Merry, the Convention will bring together some of the sport’s most influential voices through four themed workshops:
- Athletics For All – Ways to Grow Participation & The Outdoor Hunt
Led by former Olympic sprinter and a member of the European Athletics Development Commission Esther Akihary and Chair of the Development Commission and Karin Grute Movin, this session explores inclusive strategies to boost participation through interactive and experiential learning.
In addition, there will be speed presentations from leaders including Karin Grute Movin, Esther Akihary OLY, Cherry Alexander OBE, Ana Krstevska, Emmanuelle Jaeger, Hillevi Thor, Jean-Sebastien Dauch, Dr Katrin Heyers, Dr Kristin Behrens, Sam Payne, Tia Hellebaut OLY, and Sylvain Jolliet will showcase inclusive initiatives and practical examples
- Competition Embracing Change – European Athletics Landscape
European Athletics Vice President and Championship Director for Birmingham 2026 Cherry Alexander OBE will lead an exploration of how evolving competition formats and technologies can engage younger generations and expand the sport’s reach
- Governance Building Trust – Practical Governance for Today’s Challenges
Sylvia Barlag, Frank Carreras, Ami Baran EA Governance & Integrity Commission members will guide member federations through practical approaches to strengthening accountability, integrity, transparency , in leadership structures
- Fast Track to Sustainability – Levels, Leadership & Legacy
Chair of the European Athletics Sustainability Working Group Katrin Heyers and fellow group members Ana Krstevska and Emmanuelle Jaeger will present the latest in sustainability leadership and introduce the new Sustainability Ambassadors Project.
The Convention once again reaffirms European Athletics’ commitment to knowledge sharing, innovation, and collective progress.
Elections, decisions, and recognition at Congress
The week will conclude with the European Athletics Congress on Saturday (25), the sport’s highest decision-making body, where delegates from across Europe’s 49 Member Federations will gather to address key governance and strategic matters.
The Congress agenda includes:
- Elections for European Athletics Council member
- Reports from the Council and on Human Rights progress
- Financial reports and plans for 2026–2027, including audited statements for 2023 and 2024
- Proposals for amendments to the European Athletics Constitution and submissions from Member Federations
- Presentation of the Plaque of Merit and Golden Pin awards
- Venue allocation for the 2027 European Athletics Congress
- Local Organising Committee presentations from Birmingham 2026 and Rieti 2026, offering a preview of two major events on the horizon.
The day — and indeed the week — will culminate in the Golden Tracks Awards Ceremony on Saturday (25) evening, celebrating Europe’s outstanding athletes and performances from the 2025 season.
With its mix of governance, innovation, and celebration, the 2025 European Athletics Council, Congress and Convention in Batumi provide a unique opportunity to present the sport’s continued growth and unity across Europe.