The standard in the women’s 400m at the 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham was exceptionally high with five of the eight finalists breaking the 50 second-barrier across the three semifinals.
In summary
- Natalia Bukowiecka leads the three semifinals with 49.57
- Five of the eight finalists break the 50 second-barrier
- British duo of Yemi Mary John and Amber Anning progress
Reigning European champion Natalia Bukowiecka seems to be timing her peak to perfection again. The Pole was the fastest qualifier for Saturday's final with a season's best of 49.57 from the second semifinal, the fastest time ever recorded in a semifinal in European Athletics Championships history.
Bukowiecka was followed home by Czechia’s world indoor champion Lurdes Gloria Manuel who clocked 49.81 to seal her passage through to the final. She finished fourth two years ago in Rome at the age of 18.
In the first semifinal, reigning European indoor champion Lieke Klaver from the Netherlands reaffirmed her medal-winning potential with a 49.71 clocking to qualify ahead of Great Britain’s Yemi Mary John in 50.33.
Arguable gold medal favourite Henriette Jaeger, who anchored Norway to gold on the first evening in the mixed 4x400m relay, returned to the track with a 49.80 clocking to win the third semifinal ahead of 2025 world indoor champion Amber Anning in 49.96.
Despite yielding the slowest winning time across the three semifinals, the third semifinal produced the most depth with Spain’s Paula Sevilla and Belgium’s Helene Ponette clocking lifetime bests of 50.21 and 50.31 respectively to qualify on time for Saturday's final.
What they said.
Lieke Klaver (NED)
"I'm feeling good, a bit hot. In the final, I need to run a good race then we can see what the result is. Right now I'm feeling good. I'm Dutch so the weather doesn't bother me - we know snow, rain, wind, thunder, sun and heatwaves. So I'm prepared for anything."
Natalia Bukowiecka (POL)
"To win a medal I will have to run as always. I am the most experienced - having the medals from the Olympics and world championships. I just want to run fast and have a good time. It is a privilege to compete as a title defender. I am happy to wear this yellow bib. I know it is going to be very hard to win the title this year, but I am just glad to be running."
Henriette Jaeger (NOR)
"The conditions were difficult. I'm not used to this heat so I need lots of water and ice. But I can adapt to it. It was windy on the back straight but technically I was strong out there. The Norwegian camp is so happy about the mixed 4x400m relay gold but the focus now is on our individual events."