Ahead of the Madrid 2025 European Athletics Team Championships 1st Division from 27-29 June, we are shining a light on each team.
Here we take a look at Czechia, who are a nation with a roller-coaster history at the event. On four occasions Czechia – formerly the Czech Republic - have gained promotion to the top tier of competition as winners of the second tier, but have been relegated four times, three times at their first attempt in the top league.
However, after winning promotion again at Silesia 2021, they retained their place among the elite at the last edition two years ago by placing ninth again in Poland. If they can survive relegation in Madrid 2025, it will be their longest ever stay in the top tier.
Flashback to 2023
In Silesia 2023, Czechia finished ninth to retain their place in the top tier. In a solid all-round display, their standout performance came in the mixed 4x400m relay team of Matěj Krsek, Tereza Petržilková, Vít Müller and Lada Vondrová with a championships record of 3:12.34.
Track Record
- Leiria 2009, Portugal (10th place) - Super League
In the first edition of the European Athletics Team Championships, the Czech team put up a spirited performance, but ultimately placed tenth, just 2.5 points behind Greece who survived, placing ninth.
- Budapest 2010, Hungary (1st place) - First League
Czechia bounced back at the first time of asking, winning the First League with 355 points, 22 clear of second placed Sweden. The highlight for the Czechs was a huge throw of 67.63m by world record holder Barbora Špotáková to win the women’s javelin.
- Dublin 2013, Ireland (1st place) – First League
After being relegated from the Super League in Stockholm 2011, the Czechs made an immediate return by winning the First League in Dublin with nine individual event wins including a pole vault double courtesy of Jan Kudlička and Jiřina Ptáčníková. Seven years later, the two were married.
- Heraklion 2015, Greece (1st place) – First League
Following a now familiar pattern, Czechia cemented their place as the leading nation in the second tier with another promotion as champions. It was a dominant display which saw the Czech’s win half of the entire throwing disciplines through Tomáš Staněk (men’s shot put), Lukas Melich (men’s hammer), Tereza Králová (women’s hammer) and Špotáková (women’s javelin).
- Cluj-Napoca 2021, Romania (1st place) – First League
For a record fourth time, Czechia won the First League to take their place again among Europe’s elite. It was a result grounded in consistency across the board, personified by Jan Jirka who won the men’s 200m and ran a leg in the third placed 4x100m team.
Key athletes
- Jakub Vadlejch - Men's javelin
A consistent performer on the international stage with three world medals (London 2017 silver, Oregon 2022 and Budapest 2023 bronze) and silver at the Tokyo Olympics, the Czech athlete finally got his hands on gold at the Roma 2024 European Athletics Championships. A 90 metre thrower at his best, Czechia will be looking to Vadlejech’s right arm to land a big score in Madrid.
- Tomáš Staněk– Men’s shot put
A mainstay of the Czech athletics team, the giant Staněk is a five-time medallist at the European Athletics Indoor Championships, including gold at Torun 2021. He has also twice picked up maximum points for Czechia at the European Athletics Team Championships (2015, 2021).
- Lurdes Gloria Manuel – women’s 400m, 4x100m, mixed 4x400m
A rising star of European sprinting, Manuel is the current world and European U20 champion over 400m and last year, still aged 18, she just missed out on a medal at the Roma 2024 European Athletics Championships, placing fourth in 50.52. Yet to race outdoors, she could be a crucial member of the team both as an individual and relay member
- Michal Rada – Men’s 400m hurdles, mixed 4x400m
Gold medallist and one of the standout performers at the Banska Bystrica 2025 European Athletics U18 Championships where he and his twin Nina Radová won back to back 400m hurdles titles, Rada is one of the great hopes for Czechia athletics.
Still aged 18, he also won silver in the 400m hurdles at last year’s World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima. He is expected to be key part of the Czechia team for years to come.
- Jan Štefela – Men’s high jump
Štefela won gold at the Tallinn 2021 European Athletics U23 Championships and has now begun to make his mark at senior level. He cleared 2.30m last year and this year won silver at the Apeldoorn 2025 European Athletics Indoor Championships.